Dianthus superbus - Fringed Pink

Family:	Caryophyllaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.6
Synonyms:	D. wimmeri.
Range:	Europe to N. Asia.

Dianthus superbus (Fringed Pink) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 4and is vunerable to frost.
Fringed Pink will flower in December to March. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Insects

Soil Information

Fringed Pink will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Fringed Pink prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Fringed Pink can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Woody hills and dry meadows[100].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge

Cultivation Details

Prefers an alkaline soil but tolerates slightly acid soils[200]. Succeeds in any well-drained peaty soil in sun or light shade[187]. Plants succeed when grown on the top of a broad or retaining wall[219]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c[187]. The flowers have a soft sweet perfume[245].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
The leaves, stems and tops are boiled, steeped in water and eaten as a potherb[105, 177, 179, 183]. Young plants are also eaten[183]. One report says that they contain saponins but that the leaves are apparently not toxic[179]. Probably this is because the content of saponins is too low to be harmful[K]. Children suck the flowers for their sweet edible nectar[105, 177, 183].

• Flowers -
• Leaves -
• Nectar - produced in such abundance by some flowers that it can be harvested fairly easily.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
The 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 stimulates the digestive and urinary system, and also the bowels[238]. It also lowers blood pressure, reduces fevers and controls bacterial infections[218, 238]. Little used on its own, it is often taken with Dan Shen (Salvia multiorrhiza) to induce menstruation[254]. The closely related D. chinensis has the same uses as Qu Mai and is more commonly used[238]. The plant is abortifacient, contraceptive, diuretic, emmenagogue, ophthalmic, tonic and vulnerary[147, 176, 178, 218]. It is said to promote hair growth[147, 176, 178]. It is ranked 9th in a list of 250 potential antifertility Chinese plants[218]. The plant is taken internally in the treatment of acute urinary tract infections (especially cystitis), urinary stones, constipation and failure to menstruate[238]. Externally, it is applied to skin inflammations and swellings[238]. The leaves are used in the treatment of haemorrhoids, lumbricoid worms, venereal sores etc[218]. The flowers are astringent, diuretic, haemostatic, resolvent and vulnerary[218]. Research has shown that the flowers are the most markedly diuretic part of the plant[254].

• Abortifacient - Causes an abortion.
• Antibacterial - Kills bacteria.
• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Contraceptive - Prevents fertilization occurring in females.
• Diuretic - Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
• Emmenagogue - Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Haemostatic - Controls internal bleeding.
• Ophthalmic - Treats eye complaints.
• Resolvent - Breaks down tumors. This might be placed under antitumor.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
• Vulnerary - Promotes the healing of wounds.

Propagation

Seed - sow April/June in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 3 weeks at 20°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the autumn.

Scented parts of the plants

Flowers : Fresh

Known Hazards

The plant contains saponins but apparently in quantities too low to cause harm[179]. Although fairly toxic, saponins are poorly absorbed by the body and most pass straight through without harm. Saponins are found in many foods, such as beans. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish[K].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora Europaea
?
Author: ?
Rating:
Publisher : An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1964

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.