Dianthus Dianthus, Sibth. & Sm.

79. D. gracilis Sibth. & Sm. View in CoL , FI. Graec. Prodr. 1: 288 (1809).

Glabrous perennial 15-40 cm; stems simple or branched. Basal leaves c. 1 mm wide, often absent at flowering; cauline 4-6 pairs, shorter than the internodes, flat, acuminate; sheaths c. 3 times as long as diameter of stem. Epicalyx-scales 4-6, as long as calyx, obovate, cuspidate or, rarely, gradually tapering from about the middle. Petal-limb 5-10 mm, dentate, bearded with longhairs, deep pink above, yellow or purplish beneath. 2« = 60. • N. & E. Greece, Macedonia, Albania. Al Bu G r Ju. 1 Point of epicalyx-scales less than | as long as the wide part of scale

2 Epicalyx-scales usually 6; flowers mostly in groups of 2 or more; pedicels very short (d) subsp. friwaldskyanus

2 Epicalyx-scales usually 4; flowers mostly solitary; pedicels long (b) subsp. xanthianus

1 Point of epicalyx-scales more than | as long as the wide part of scale

3 Basal leaves usually present at flowering; cauline leaves rigid; epicalyx-scales c. | as long as calyx. (c) subsp. armerioides

3 Basal leaves usually absent at flowering; cauline leaves soft; epicalyx-scales c. | as long as calyx

4 Flowers nearly always solitary; calyx c. 5 mm wide, slightly ventricose (a) subsp. gracilis

4 Flowers shortly pedicellate, in small clusters; calyx 3-4 mm wide, cylindrical (e) subsp. achtarovii