Carnations, botanically known as Dianthus caryophyllus, are globally recognized ornamental flowers. The name Dianthus translates from Greek as “flower of the gods,” reflecting the plant’s long history. This herbaceous perennial has been extensively bred over centuries, resulting in the visually striking varieties commonly seen in gardens and floral arrangements today.
The Distinctive Flower Structure
The most striking feature of the carnation is its large, intricate flower head, which typically measures 3 to 5 centimeters in diameter, reaching up to 8 centimeters in cultivated varieties. The numerous petals give the flower a full, “double” appearance, and they are distinctively ruffled or fringed along the edges, creating a soft, textured look.
The petals emerge from the calyx, a rigid, cylindrical, green structure protecting the developing bud. At the base of the calyx, small leafy bracteoles can be seen. Many carnations still possess a light, sweetly-spicy fragrance, often described as clove-like due to the presence of the compound eugenol.
Stem and Foliage Characteristics
The stem is generally stiff and erect, often reaching heights of 30 to 80 centimeters, and can become slightly woody near the base. A distinctive feature of the stem is its jointed appearance, characterized by conspicuous, swollen nodes where the leaves emerge in pairs.
The foliage is slender and strap-like. These leaves are sessile, meaning they attach directly to the stem without a stalk, and can grow up to 15 centimeters long. Their color is a noticeable glaucous, or waxy, blue-green or grayish-green, which provides a cool contrast to the brightly colored flowers.
Common Forms and Color Variations
Carnations are categorized into distinct forms based on their bloom habit. The “Standard” carnation is seen as a single, large focal flower at the tip of a long, straight stem. In contrast, the “Spray” or “Miniature” carnation features multiple smaller blooms clustered on a single, branched stem, making it ideal for filler and accent work in bouquets.
The range of colors is vast, encompassing solid shades of red, white, pink, yellow, and purple, including green varieties. Beyond solid colors, many carnations exhibit striking patterns. The “Picotee” variety has a primary base color, often white or yellow, with a sharply contrasting color bordering the edge of the petals. Other bicolor or striped varieties display two distinct colors across the petal surface.