Dianthus deltoides L.
maiden pink
Decumbent perennial. Flowering stems procumbent at base, erect above, 10-25-(30) cm tall; hairs dense, < 1 mm long, stiff; non-flowering stems present at flowering. Basal lvs soft, suberect, linear-oblong, obtuse, dark green to glaucous, with short hairs on margins and midrib, 10-20-(25) × 1-2 mm; cauline lvs erect, linear-acuminate, glaucous, with short hairs, becoming smaller above. Fls solitary or 2-(7) per stem; pedicels > calyx. Epicalyx scales 2-(4), broadly ovate, awned, c. 1/2 length of calyx. Calyx cylindric, 14-18 mm long, with short stiff hairs on surface; teeth lanceolate to triangular, acute, 3-4 mm long, margins very narrowly scarious. Petals white to deep pink, banded at base of limb, fringed, bearded. Carpophore c. 2 mm long; capsule c. 10 mm long. Seeds black, flattened, ovate, c. 1.5 mm long.
S.: Canterbury, C. Otago, Southland.
Europe 1953
Grassland, roadsides, depleted pastures, waste ground.
FL (Oct)-Dec-Jan-(Apr) FT Dec-Jan-(Apr).
Some specimens have been referred to in N.Z. as D. deltoides var. glaucus.
