DIANTHUS TRIPUNCTATUS

Family:- CARYOPHYLLACEAE/Subgen. DIANTHUS

Common Names:- None

Synonyms:- None

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

Theophrastus.

Tripunctatus (L) With three spots.

General description:- Short to medium hairless annual.

Stems:-

1) Erect, 15-50 cm, divaricately branched; branches rather rigid, nodes swollen.

Leaves:-

1) Narrow and parallel-sided to lance-shaped.

2) Basal, usually ± withered at anthesis, 3-8 mm wide, oblong-spatula shaped

obtuse.

3) Cauline, linear, narrowing gradually to a point (acuminate); shorter than or

equalling the intemodes; sheaths short.

Flowers:-

1) Epicalyx-scales, c. ¾ as long as the calyx, ovate with a long, usually green,

awl-shaped (subulate) apex.

2) Calyx, c.15 mm, conical, broadly ribbed and warty, with little excrescences or

bumps (verruculose) on sides of ribs, hairless (glabrous).

3) Petal limb c. 8 x 5 mm, sharply dentate in front, glabrous or sparsely pilose,

pinkish-purple above, greenish-yellow beneath. with 3 red spots at the base.

Fruit:-

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

carpophore often present.

2) Seeds numerous, concave on 1 side.

Key features:-

1) Calyx glabrous; verruculose.

2) Annual, with slender stock and root.

3) Non-flowering stems absent.

Habitat:- Dry open shrubby vegetation, dry grassland, open coniferous woodland,

fallow fields and vineyards, mainly on noncalcareous substrates, 0-800 m.

Distribution:- A few records from NW Peloponnisos but not elsewhere in Greece. -

Also in Italy (rare), W & S Anatolia, Cyprus, Syria and Palestine.

Limited distribution on Crete.

Flowering time:- May-July.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton