Dianthus mooiensis explained

Dianthus mooiensis (Frilly carnation) is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae.^{[1] [2]}

It is indigenous to the highveld terrain in the northern parts of South Africa, being recorded from Gauteng Province, around Pretoria and Heidelberg, and as far west as Potchefstroom in the North West Province.^[3]

Description

Dianthus mooiensis is a spreading or tufted herbaceous perennial. The stems are leafy and semi-erect to upright. The leaves along the stem are rigid, and usually 2.5 to 3 cm long (max 6 cm).

The flowers are small and usually white. The petals are deeply fimbriate (frilly) and exserted by only 5 mm (i.e. 5 mm long). The claw is not exserted though (unlike that of D. zeyheri).

The calyx is 1.5 to 1.75 cm in length, with several bract-pairs at the base. ^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Threatened Species Programme | SANBI Red List of South African Plants.
2. Pooley, E. 2003. Mountain flowers: a field guide to the flora of the Drakensberg and Lesotho. Natal Flora Publications Trust, Durban.
3. 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.
4. 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.