Uses
Edible uses
Notes
The flower petals have a strong smell of cloves and are candied, used as a garnish in salads, for flavouring fruit, fruit salads etc. They can also be used as a substitute for rose petals in making a syrup
[1][2]. The petals should be removed from the calyx and their bitter white base should be removed
[1].
Material uses
An essential oil is obtained from the flowers
[3][4]. It is used in perfumery. 500kg of flowers produce 100g of oil
[5]. The flowers are harvested when they are fully open in the morning, preferably after 3 hours exposure to sunlight
[2].
The flower heads are dried and used in pot-pourri, scented sachets and cosmetic products[2][6].
The plant is quite rich in saponins. The leaves can be simmered in water and this water can then be used as a soap for cleaning the skin, clothes etc
[7].
Carnation flowers are an aromatic, stimulant herb that has been used in tonic cordials in the past to treat fevers, though this use is now obsolete
[2]. It is traditionally prescribed in European herbal medicine to treat coronary and nervous disorders
[8]. The flowers are considered to be alexiteric, antispasmodic, cardiotonic, diaphoretic and nervine
[9].
The plant has been used as a vermifuge in China
[9].
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Seed - sow spring in slight heat in a greenhouse
[10]. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks at 15°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Layering in July[10].
Cuttings of non-flowering basal shoots, June/July in a frame
[11]. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Dianthus caryophyllus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Succeeds in a sunny position in most good soils
[12][11] tolerating a pH range from 6 to 8 but disliking acid soils
[11]. A very tolerant plant, succeeding in the salt laden air and strong winds of the coast as well as in the sulphur polluted air of cities
[11].
This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -10°c[11].
A very ornamental plant[10], the carnation is widely cultivated in the flower garden and is grown commercially in France for its essential oil[3]. There are many named varieties[11]. The flowers of the species have a rich clove-like perfume, though almost no scent is present in the orange and yellow-flowering cultivars[13].
The flowers are very attractive to butterflies and moths[14].
Plants are prone to mildew or leaf spot in humid climates
[7].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Dianthus caryophyllus. 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 caryophyllus.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Dianthus caryophyllus
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Uses
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Environment
Environmental Tolerances
- Salinity
- Strong wind
- Maritime exposure
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.
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"image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Dianthus caryophyllus L (Clove pink).JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
References
-
? 1.01.11.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
-
? 2.02.12.22.32.42.52.6 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
-
? 3.03.13.2 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
-
? 4.04.1 Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press (1952-00-00)
-
? 5.05.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
-
? 6.06.1 Stuart. M. (Editor) The Encyclopedia of Herbs and Herbalism Orbis Publishing. London. ISBN 0-85613-067-2 (1979-00-00)
-
? 7.07.17.2 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
-
? 8.08.1 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
-
? 9.09.19.2 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
-
? 10.010.110.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
-
? 11.011.111.211.311.411.511.6 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
-
? Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
-
? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
-
? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
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