What in the Carnation?

Carnation flowers a.k.a Dianthus caryophyllus

Dianthus caryophyllus , commonly known as the carnation or clove pink, is a species of Dianthus. It is probably native to the Mediterranean region but its exact range is unknown due to extensive cultivation for the last 2,000 years. Dianthus caryophyllus is a herbaceous perennial plant growing up to 80 cm (31 1⁄2 in) tall. The leaves are glaucous greyish green to blue-green, slender, up to 15 cm (6 in) long. The flowers are produced singly or up to five together in a cyme; they are around 3–5 cm (1 1⁄4–2 in) diameter, and sweetly scented; the original natural flower color is bright pinkish-purple, but cultivars of other colors, including red, white, yellow, blue and green, along with some white with colored striped variations have been developed. The fragrant, hermaphrodite flowers have a radial symmetry. The wild carnation is found in the Mediterranean countries of Croatia, Albania, Greece, Italy (including Sicily and Sardinia), and Spain.

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