Dianthus superbus
Fringed Pink
a perennial member of the Dianthus genus in the family Caryophyllaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Caryophyllaceae
- Genus
- Dianthus
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.6 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The plant contains saponins but apparently in quantities too low to cause harm[7]. 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
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves, stems and tops are boiled, steeped in water and eaten as a potherb[2][5][7][8]. Young plants are also eaten[8]. One report says that they contain saponins but that the leaves are apparently not toxic[7]. 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][5][8].
- Plant part
- Flowers
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Product or use
- Nectar
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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[13]. It also lowers blood pressure, reduces fevers and controls bacterial infections[11][13]. Little used on its own, it is often taken with Dan Shen (Salvia multiorrhiza) to induce menstruation[15]. The closely related D. chinensis has the same uses as Qu Mai and is more commonly used[13]. The plant is abortifacient, contraceptive, diuretic, emmenagogue, ophthalmic, tonic and vulnerary[3][4][6][11]. It is said to promote hair growth[3][4][6]. It is ranked 9th in a list of 250 potential antifertility Chinese plants[11]. The plant is taken internally in the treatment of acute urinary tract infections (especially cystitis), urinary stones, constipation and failure to menstruate[13]. Externally, it is applied to skin inflammations and swellings[13]. The leaves are used in the treatment of haemorrhoids, lumbricoid worms, venereal sores etc[11]. The flowers are astringent, diuretic, haemostatic, resolvent and vulnerary[11]. Research has shown that the flowers are the most markedly diuretic part of the plant[15].
- Product or use
- Abortifacient
- Product or use
- Antibacterial
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Contraceptive
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Emmenagogue
- Product or use
- Febrifuge
- Product or use
- Haemostatic
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Resolvent
- Product or use
- Tonic
- Product or use
- Vulnerary
Environment
- Range
- Europe to N. Asia.
- Habitat
- Woody hills and dry meadows[1].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Prefers an alkaline soil but tolerates slightly acid soils[10]. Succeeds in any well-drained peaty soil in sun or light shade[9]. Plants succeed when grown on the top of a broad or retaining wall[12]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c[9]. The flowers have a soft sweet perfume[14].
References
Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press 1969-00-00 ISBN 0192176218
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148