Dianthus monspessulanus, the fringed pink, is a herbaceous perennial plant of the genus Dianthus of the family Caryophyllaceae. The genus name Dianthus derives from the Greek words for divine ("dios") and flower ("anthos"), while the species name monspessulanus means "from Montpellier".
Dianthus monspessulanus is a hemicryptophyte scapose plant reaching on average 30- of height. The stem is green, erect, glabrous and branched on the top, the leaves are opposite, simple, linear and sessile, more or less erect and flexuous, with a sheath embracing the stem. They are about 3mm wide and about 10cm (00inches) long. The calyx is a green cylindrical tube about 2cm (01inches) long, with reddish teeth. The flowers are hermaphrodite, single or gathered in scapes of 3–5 flowers, with 10 stamens. They have five pink or white petals, 10- long, with fringed margins (hence the common name). The flowering period extends from May through August. The fruits are capsules with a few seeds.
This species is present in Albania, the former Yugoslavia, Italy, France, Switzerland, Austria, Spain and Portugal.
This plant grows in arid grasslands, woodlands and heathlands, at an altitude of 0m-2200mm (00feet-7,200feetm) above sea level. It prefers rich and well drained soils in sunny places.