About Dianthus balbisii Ser.
Dianthus balbisii Ser. is a scapose hemicryptophyte that grows to an average height of 20 to 50 centimetres (7.9 to 19.7 inches). It has an erect, glabrous stem and opposite, simple linear leaves. A sheath wraps around the stem at the base of the cauline leaves. Its epicalyx is made up of many leafy scales. The cylindrical calyx tube is green, turning deep purple-violet near the 2-millimetre-long calyx teeth. Flowers are arranged in dense clusters of 2 to 6 apical flowers that sit in the axil of two bracts that are poorly differentiated from typical plant leaves. Each flower has five pink-purplish petals with frilled margins. This species flowers from June through September. Its fruits are capsules that contain multiple seeds. Dianthus balbisii Ser. can be found in Albania, Former Yugoslavia, Italy, and France. It grows in dry meadows, woodlands, and hillsides, and prefers bright, sunny locations, growing at altitudes between 0 and 1,400 metres (0 to 4,593 feet) above sea level.
