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Uses

Toxic parts

The plant contains saponins but apparently in quantities too low to cause harm[1]. 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].

Edible uses

Notes

The leaves, stems and tops are boiled, steeped in water and eaten as a potherb[2][3][1][4]. Young plants are also eaten[4]. One report says that they contain saponins but that the leaves are apparently not toxic[1]. Probably this is because the content of saponins is too low to be harmful[K]. Children suck the flowers for their sweet edible nectar[2][3][4].

Flowers

Leaves

Unknown part

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Dianthus superbus.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

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[5]. It also lowers blood pressure, reduces fevers and controls bacterial infections[6][5]. Little used on its own, it is often taken with Dan Shen (Salvia multiorrhiza) to induce menstruation[7]. The closely related D. chinensis has the same uses as Qu Mai and is more commonly used[5].

The plant is abortifacient, contraceptive, diuretic, emmenagogue, ophthalmic, tonic and vulnerary[8][9][10][6]. It is said to promote hair growth[8][9][10]. It is ranked 9th in a list of 250 potential antifertility Chinese plants[6]. The plant is taken internally in the treatment of acute urinary tract infections (especially cystitis), urinary stones, constipation and failure to menstruate[5]. Externally, it is applied to skin inflammations and swellings[5]. The leaves are used in the treatment of haemorrhoids, lumbricoid worms, venereal sores etc[6].

The flowers are astringent, diuretic, haemostatic, resolvent and vulnerary[6]. Research has shown that the flowers are the most markedly diuretic part of the plant[7].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Dianthus superbus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers an alkaline soil but tolerates slightly acid soils[11]. Succeeds in any well-drained peaty soil in sun or light shade[12]. Plants succeed when grown on the top of a broad or retaining wall[13].

A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c[12].

The flowers have a soft sweet perfume[14].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Dianthus superbus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Dianthus superbus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Dianthus superbus
Genus
Dianthus
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "image:Dianthus superbus 190803.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Dianthus superbus 190803.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Dianthus superbus 190803.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Dianthus superbus 190803.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.12.2 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.5 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.2 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.18.2 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
    9. ? 9.09.19.2 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.2 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
    11. ? 11.011.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books ISBN 0-330-30936-9 (1991-00-00)
    13. ? Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins ISBN 0-00-219220-0 (1983-00-00)
    14. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    15. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-50

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-100" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

    "image:Dianthus superbus 190803.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Facts about "Dianthus superbus"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCaryophyllaceae +
    Belongs to genusDianthus +
    Has binomial nameDianthus superbus +
    Has common nameFringed Pink +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partFlowers +, Leaves + and Unknown part +
    Has edible useUnknown use + and Nectar +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone4 +
    Has imageDianthus superbus 190803.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height0.6 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAbortifacient +, Antibacterial +, Astringent +, Contraceptive +, Diuretic +, Emmenagogue +, Febrifuge +, Haemostatic +, Ophthalmic +, Resolvent +, Tonic + and Vulnerary +
    Has primary imageDianthus superbus 190803.jpg +
    Has search namedianthus superbus + and fringed pink +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral +, Alkaline + and Very alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameDianthus superbus +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Dianthus superbus +, Dianthus superbus +, Dianthus superbus +, Dianthus superbus +, Dianthus superbus +, Dianthus superbus +, Dianthus superbus +, Dianthus superbus +, Dianthus superbus +, Dianthus superbus +, Dianthus superbus +, Dianthus superbus +, Dianthus superbus +, Dianthus superbus + and Dianthus superbus +