Dianthus caryophyllus, pink family, the carnation

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 7 min read

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Article Summary

Key Takeaways

This article explains Facts of Carnation in simple medical language.
This article explains Carnation Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
This article explains Traditional uses in simple medical language.

Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.

Reviewed content workflowUse writer and reviewer profiles for stronger trust.

Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

Learn safely

Use this article to understand possible causes, tests, treatment options, prevention, and questions to ask your clinician.

Dianthus caryophyllus is a flowering plant belonging to the family Caryophyllaceae commonly known as pink family or the carnation family. It is a large family with some 2000 species and 88 genera. More than 300 varieties of Carnations could be found throughout the world. It is originated from Asia and Europe. This plant has been cultivated for at least 2000 years due to their intense fragrance and beautiful flowers. It requires well drained soil, direct sunlight and enough moisture for successful growth. It is believed that first carnation formed from the tears of Virgin Mary when Christ was crucified. This flower symbolizes labor movement and mother’s love in most of the countries in the world. It symbolizes bad luck in France and used for preparation of funeral bouquets.

Facts of Carnation

Name	Carnation
Scientific Name	Dianthus caryophyllus
Native	Native to Mediterranean region.
Common/English Name	Border Carnation, Common Carnation, Carnation, Clove Pink, Dianthus, Gillyflower, Divine Flower, Pinks, Wild Carnation, Carnation, Clove Pink
Name in Other Languages	Bohemian: Hvozdik, Vrsta Karanfila; Brazil: Cravo, Craveiro; Burmese: Zaw-Hmwa-Gyi; Catalan: Clavell, Clavellina, Claveller, Clavillinera, Clavells, Clevellina; Chinese: Kang Nai Xin, Dà huā shízhú (大花石竹), Kāngnǎixīn (康乃馨), Shī tóu shízhú (狮头石竹), Xiāng shízhú (香石竹), Shèxiāng shízhú (麝香石竹); Corsican: Caròfanu, Uchjellu, Gaiofi nu; Czech: Hvozdík Zahradní, Hvozdík Karafi át; Danish: Havenellike; Dutch: Tuinanjelier; Estonian: Šaboonelk; Esperanto: Dianto Ĝardena; Finnish: Tarhaneilikka; French: Oeillet Girofle, Oeillet Des Fleuristes, Oeillet giroflée; German: Garten-Nelke, Nelke, Land-Nelke, Edel-Nelke; Hungarian: Kerti Szegfű; Icelandic: Goðadrottning; Indonesia: Bunga Anyelir; Italian: Dianto, Garofano, Garofano Coltivato; Japanese: Oranda-Nadeshiko; Malaysia: Bunga Teluki; Norwegian: Hagenellik; Polish: Goździk Ogrodowy; Portuguese: Craveiro, Cravelinha, Cravina, Cravina-Dos-Jardins Cravo; Russian: Gvozdika Sadovaja, Gvozdika Gollandskaja, gvozdika gollandskaya (гвоздика голландская), gvozdika sadovaya (гвоздика садовая); Slovašcina: Vrtni Nageljček; Slovencina: Klinček Záhradný; Spanish: Clavel, Clavel Común, Claveles, Clavel Canario, Clavelina; Swedish: Trädgårdsnejlika; Turkish: Karanfil Familyasından Çiçek, Bahçe Karanfili; Vietnamese: Cẩm Nhung, Cẩm Chướng Thơm, Hương Nhung Hoa; Welsh: Ceinan Gwyllt, Penigan Pêr, Clows, Penigan Rhuddgoch
Plant Growth Habit	Herbaceous perennial plant
Growing Climate	Cool
Soil	Well-drained, rich sandy-loam or loamy sand
Leaves	Greyish green to blue-green, up to 15 cm long
Flower	Pinkish to purple, 3 to 5 cm diameter

Carnation Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Dianthus caryophyllus

Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom	Plantae (Plants)
Subkingdom	Viridiplantae
Infrakingdom	Streptophyta (Land plants)
Superdivision	Embryophyta
Division	Tracheophyta (Vascular plants, tracheophytes)
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Caryophyllales
Family	Caryophyllaceae (Pinks, cariophyllacées)
Genus	Dianthus L. (Pink)
Species	Dianthus caryophyllus L. (Carnation)
Synonyms	Caryophyllus domesticus Bedevian Caryophyllus tunica Garsault Caryophyllus tunica Garsault Dianthus acinifolius Schur Dianthus arbuscula Lindl. Dianthus arenarius All. Dianthus arrectus Dum. Dianthus arrectus Dumort. Dianthus binatus Schur Dianthus binatus Schur Dianthus caryophyllus subsp. coronarius (L.) Maire Dianthus caryophyllus subsp. coronarius (Lam.) Bonnier, 1913 Dianthus caryophyllus subsp. coronarius (Lam.) P.Fourn., 1936 Dianthus caryophyllus var. coronarius L. Dianthus coronarius (L.) Burm.f. Dianthus coronarius Lam., 1779 Dianthus corsicus Link Dianthus corsicus Link ex Spreng. Dianthus kayserianus Schur Dianthus longicaulis Costa Dianthus longicaulis Costa Dianthus miniatus A. Huet ex Nyman Dianthus morrisii Hance Dianthus moschatus J.F. Gmel. Dianthus multinervis Vis. Dianthusm multinervis Vis. Silene caryophylla (L.) E.H.L.Krause Silene caryophylla E.H.L. Krause Tunica caryophyllus (L.) Scop. Tunica caryophyllus Scop. Tunica morrisii (Hance) Walp.

Most of the plant is herbaceous annuals or perennials. Leaves are rarely whorled and opposite. Blades are petiolate, entire and stipulate. Flowers are hermaphrodite, terminal blooming singly or in branched or forked in cymes. Flowers are regular with five sepals and five white to pink to purple petals. Petals are fringed or deeply cleft at the end. Stems are woody at the base but have herbaceous branches. Leaves are slender, glaucous grayish green to blue-green measuring 15 centimeters long.

Plant

Carnation is a herbaceous perennial plant growing 50 to 80 cm tall having erect and branching herbaceous stem which is woody at the base. Leaves are glaucous, opposite, lanceolate to linear lanceolate and is about 10 to 15 cm long. Flowers are solitary, bisexual, sweetly scented about 3.5 to 6 cm diameter. Single flower have 5 petals and double flowers have 10 to 40 petals. Petals are obovate or broadly cuneate, serrated or clawed, red, orange, purple, white, pink, yellow and green and spotted or variegated.

Traditional uses

In European herbal medicine, Carnation is used for treating nervous and coronary disorders.
It is used as a tonic for fevers.
The tea provides relief from nervousness and stress.
It is used for treating muscles spasms, increase sweat production, improve heart health and calm nervous system.
It is also helpful for treating problems such as excessive gas, hair loss and sore muscles.
Its oil is used to lower wrinkles and soothe numerous skin problems.
For sore and aching muscles, use 100 ml of vinegar by adding petals of 10 carnations. Let it remain for a day and add it to bath water.
Carnation oils are used for treating skin rash and also act as a conditioner for skin.
It is used to lower fever and pain.
It is used to provide relief from chest congestion.

Precautions

It might cause allergic symptoms in sensitive people.

How to Eat

Flower petals are used as a garnish in salads, candied, added to fruit salads, punch bowl, soups and flavoring fruit.
It is also used as a substitute for rose petals in making syrup.
It is used to add flavor in wine, beer and other alcoholic beverages.
It could be added to desserts.

Other Facts

It is propagated by seeds and plant cuttings.
Carnation is the national flower of Spain, Monaco, Ohio and Slovenia.
Carnation is a perennial plant which survives for more than 2 years.

References

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

Start with a registered doctor or the nearest qualified health center.

What to tell the doctor

Write when the problem started and how it changed.
Bring old prescriptions, investigation reports, and current medicines.
Write allergies, pregnancy status, diabetes, kidney/liver disease, and major past illnesses.
Bring one family member if the patient is weak, elderly, confused, or a child.

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which danger signs mean I should go to hospital quickly?
Which tests are necessary now, and which can wait?
How should I take medicines safely and what side effects should I watch for?
When should I come for follow-up?

Tests to discuss

Vital signs: temperature, pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
Basic physical examination by a clinician
CBC, urine test, blood sugar, or imaging only when clinically needed

Avoid these mistakes

Do not use antibiotics, steroid tablets/injections, or strong painkillers without proper medical advice.
Do not hide pregnancy, kidney disease, ulcer, allergy, or blood thinner use.
Do not delay emergency care when danger signs are present.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Drink safe fluids and monitor temperature.
In dengue-prone areas, discuss CBC and platelet count when fever persists or warning signs appear.
Use tepid sponging for high fever discomfort; avoid ice-cold bathing.

OTC medicine safety

For fever, common fever medicine may be discussed with a clinician or pharmacist.
Avoid aspirin/ibuprofen-like medicines in suspected dengue unless a doctor says it is safe.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Fever with breathing difficulty, confusion, repeated vomiting, bleeding, severe weakness, stiff neck, or dehydration needs urgent care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Medicine doctor / pediatrician for children / qualified clinician

Tests to discuss with doctor

Temperature chart and hydration assessment
CBC with platelet count if fever persists or dengue/other infection is possible
Urine test, malaria/dengue tests, chest evaluation, or blood culture only when clinically indicated

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?
Do I need antibiotics, or is this more likely viral?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first
If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story
Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician
A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests
Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse
If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

Ask a health question safely

Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.