Dianthus basuticus Burtt Davy

Species Nomenclature and Growth Form

Dianthus basuticus Burtt Davy is a densely tufted perennial plant that grows 15 to 20 cm tall.

Leaf Characteristics

It bears linear blue-grey leaves that measure 50 mm by 5 mm, and these leaves grow in a dense clump close to the ground.

Inflorescence Structure

Its inflorescence is usually branched, and rises approximately 15 cm above the main leaf tufts.

Flower Appearance and Bloom Period

The flowers are most often dark pink, around 20 mm wide, and bloom from summer to autumn between November and April.

Petal Shape

The petals are broad and obovate, a shape that differs from most other South African Dianthus species, which have narrower, oblanceolate petals.

Petal Margins and Orientation

The petal tips are only minutely toothed or serrated, and the petals are sometimes slightly recurved.

Calyx and Bract Features

The calyx is 15 to 20 mm long, and has 2 to 3 pairs of bracts; these bracts are 15 to 20 mm long.

General Habitat and Distribution Range

This species is a near-endemic of the Drakensberg Alpine Centre, and grows predominantly on rocky grassy slopes. Its distribution ranges from Avontuur and the Kammanassie mountains in the Western Cape, through the Eastern Cape, and into KwaZulu-Natal Province.

Northern Distribution Limits

The northernmost known records of this species are from near Belfast and Pilgrim's Rest in Mpumalanga Province.

Additional Distribution Records

Additional records exist from Kokstad and Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as Harrismith and Clocolan in the Free State Province.

Subspecies Distribution

The subspecies D. basuticus subsp. fourcadei grows at the westernmost end of the species' full distribution range, and occurs in the mountainous Uniondale, Langkloof and Kouga regions, around the border between the Western and Eastern Cape provinces.