Dianthus gratianopolitanus

Cheddar pink
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Genus: Dianthus
Species:
D. gratianopolitanus
Binomial name
Dianthus gratianopolitanus
Dianthus gratianopolitanus

Dianthus gratianopolitanus, commonly known as the Cheddar pink or clove pink,[1] is a species of plant in the family Caryophyllaceae. It is a herbaceous perennial, hardy to zones 4–8.[2] It grows to a height of 0.5 to 1 feet, blooming from May to June. Flowers are fragrant and rose pink. Grows best in full sun, and has medium water requirements. Overwatering or poor drainage leads to crown rot, and plants do not tolerate wet winter soil conditions.[3]

The specific epithet gratianopolitanus refers to the ancient Roman name Gratianopolis of the modern French city Grenoble.[4] The common name Cheddar pink refers to the fact that it's native to the Cheddar Gorge in England.[2]

It is native to western and central Europe, from the UK to Ukraine.[2] It became a protected species in the UK in 1975 under the Conservation of Wild Creatures and Wild Plants Act.[5]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference RHSPF was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c "Dianthus gratianopolitanus (Cheddar Pink) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox". plants.ces.ncsu.edu. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  3. ^ "Dianthus gratianopolitanus - Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 2021-02-22.
  4. ^ Dominique Villars. Histoire des plantes de Dauphiné. vol. 3. part 2. 1789. [1]
  5. ^ "Caithness CWS - Caithness Field Club - Annual Bulletins - 1975 - October - Conservation".