Dianthus micropetalus explained

Dianthus micropetalus (Grassveld pink) is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae.[1]

It is indigenous to the dry grassland and karoo terrain in the central and northwestern parts of South Africa, from near Cradock in the south east, to Namibia in the north west. It is recorded from Griekwastad, Windsorton, and Colesberg.

Description

Dianthus micropetalus can be distinguished by its very minute petals (due to them being very shortly exserted, by only 2.5 to 10mm). The petals are toothed or narrowly fimbriate. The flower stems can be either simple or branched.

The basal leaves are short (5-15mm long usually, max 4mm in rare cases).[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants.
  2. Burtt Davy, J. 1922. XXXIII. A Revision of the South African Species of Dianthus. Bulletin of Miscellaneous Information 7. pp. 209–223. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.