DIANTHUS JUNIPERINUS subsp. BAUHINORUM

Family:- CARYOPHYLLACEAE/Subgenus ARMERIASTRUM

Common Names:- Wild carnation

Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Dianthus (Gr) Zeus'-flower. A name used by the Greek philosopher

Theophrastus.

Juniperinus (L) Bluish-brown, juniper-like, (the colour of the berry).

Bauhinorum (L) For the Swiss botanist brothers Caspar (1560-1624)

and Johann Bauhan (1541-13).

General description:- Small shrub with woody stems.

Stems:-

1) Flowering, 13-30 cm.

Leaves:-

1) Many fleshy, linear to linear-lanceolate.

Flowers:-

1) Inflorescence, with 2-6(-12) flowers not opening together.

2) Epicalyx scales, c. 1/3 as long as the calyx.

3) Calyx, 16-23 mm, teeth 4-6 mm.

4) Petal limb, 7-11 mm, pinkish-purple with darker stripes.

Fruit:-

1) Capsule splitting open to release the seeds (dehiscing) apically with 4 teeth;

carpophore often present.

2) Seeds numerous, concave on 1 side.

Key features:-

Habitat:- Calcareous cliffs. 600-800 m.

Distribution:- Endemic to east Crete. Rare.

Flowering time:- June-Aug

Photos by:- Manolis Afrathianakis & Vangelis Papiomytoglou

Status:-

Conservation status (for threatened species): Vulnerable (V) according to IUCN

1997.

Protection status (for threatened species): Greek Presidential Decree 67/1981.