Dianthus Dianthus, Waldst. & Kit.

49. D. petraeus Waldst. & Kit. View in CoL , Pl. Rar. Hung. 3: 246 (1808)

(inch D. integer Vis. , D. nicolai G. Beck & Szysz. , D. prenjus G. Beck , D. strictus auct., non Sibth. & Sm., nec Banks & Solander, D. suendermanii Bornm. ).

Green or glaucescent, usually laxly caespitose perennial up to c. 30 cm. Leaves acuminate, tapering from near the middle; cauline usually 2-5 pairs. Epicalyx-scales (2-)4(-8), elliptical to ovate, acuminate or cuspidate, as long as calyx. Calyx (12-)20-32 x (2-)3-4 mm, tapering from below the middle. Petal-limb 4-10 mm, glabrous or somewhat bearded, laciniate, dentate or subentire, white or less frequently pink. • Balkan peninsula, W. & C. Romania. Al Bu G r Ju Rm.

A species which shows great variability in size, division and pubescence of the petals, though the long, narrow, tapering calyx in particular is characteristic. At least four subspecies may be recognized:

1 Epicalyx-scales shortly cuspidate 2 Flowers usually solitary; calyx c. 22 mm; petals dentate

(c) subsp. simonkaianus 2 Flowers usually shortly pedicellate in groups of 2-3; calyx

c. 27 mm; petals laciniate (d) subsp. noeanus 1 Epicalyx-scales narrowed into an acute or acuminate herbaceous

apex 3 Calyx 22-25 mm; petal-limb dentate to laciniate

(a) subsp. petraeus 3 Calyx 12-20 mm; petal-limb nearly or quite entire

(b) subsp. integer