Dianthus superbus, African cottom leafworm; Egyptian cotton leafworm

Dianthus is easily propagated by seed sown directly in the ground in late March to early April. Seeds may be also planted in the fall in warmer climates, or in containers in a cold frame in cold climates. Propagation by the division may be done in the spring when plants are 3-5 inches high. Plants are dug up, divided into 3 or 4 clumps, and replanted. Dianthus grows best in well-drained, rich sandy loam, with full sun. The plant is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8.

Fringed Pink Facts

Plant Description

Fringed pink is a bushy short-lived, evergreen, loosely tufted herbaceous perennial plant that normally grows about 80 cm tall with decumbent stems below and branched upright stems above. The plant is found growing in wooded hills, forest openings and margins, grassy hillsides, meadows, mountain valley streams, river banks, dry meadows, sandy and gravelly river banks, shore meadows, rocky embankments, dry commons and roadsides.  The plant can be easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in full sun. It also prefers fertile, slightly alkaline, somewhat gritty loams with good drainage. When planting grown plants, the lowest leaves on the plant should not be buried, and when cultivating, care should be taken not to damage the feeder roots that lie close to the ground surface.  Stem is caespitose, erect, distally branched, glabrous, large jointed. Leaves are linear-lanceolate, 5 -10 cm long and 3–5 mm wide, sometimes glabrescent, mid vein prominent, base connate into a sheath and apex sharply pointed.

Flower and fruits

Flowers are solitary or a few of them gather into panicle. Tubular calyx is 2.7 to 3.7cm long; bracts are 4 to 6, broadly ovate, and about 1/4 of the calyx tube length; deeply cut fringed petals are brown purple or brown, and curly. Flowering normally takes place from June to September. Fertile flowers are followed by 4 toothed, cylindrical capsules, equaling or slightly longer than calyx.

Scentless flowers are also found in a variety of bright colors from pink and red, to lavender and white, often with dark purple eyes. These plants are very cold-sensitive and require mulching to protect them from frost.

Traditional uses and benefits of Fringed pink

• Fringed pink, called Qu Mai in Chinese herbalism has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for over 2,000 years.
• The whole plant is a bitter tonic herb that encourages the digestive and urinary system, and also the bowels.
• It also lowers blood pressure, reduces fevers, and controls bacterial? infections.
• Little used on its own, it is often taken with Dan Shen (Salvia multiorrhiza) to induce menstruation.
• The plant is abortifacient, contraceptive, and diuretic, emmenagogue, ophthalmic, tonic and vulnerable.
• It is said to promote hair growth.
• The plant is taken internally in the treatment of acute? urinary tract infections (especially cystitis), urinary stones, constipation? and failure to menstruate.
• Externally, it is applied to skin inflammations and swellings.
• The leaves are used in the treatment of hemorrhoids, lumbricoid worms, venereal sores etc.
• The flowers are astringent, diuretic, hemostatic, resolvent and vulnerary.
• Research has shown that the flowers are the most markedly diuretic part of the plant.
• Old leaves can be crushed and used to clear the eyesight.

Culinary Uses

• Leaves, stems and tops are boiled, steeped in water and eaten as a potherb.
• Young plants are also eaten.
• Children suck the flowers for their sweet edible nectar.
• Fresh dianthus petals can be used to liven up salads, sandwiches and pies.
• Petals of the flowers, when crystallized, make beautiful decorations for cakes and pastries.

Precautions

• Avoid use during pregnancy as it causes uterine contractions.
• Excess use may cause toxicity.
• It should be avoided in cases of spleen-kidney deficiency.
• Overdosage of dianthus can cause prolonged contractions of the uterus.

References