Carnation

Dianthus caryophyllus, carnation or clove pink, is a species of Dianthus.
It is probably native to the Mediterranean region but its exact range is unknown due to extensive cultivation for the last 2,000 years.
It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 80 cm tall.
The leaves are glaucous greyish green to blue-green, slender, up to 15 cm long.
The flowers are produced singly or up to five together in a cyme; they are 3–5 cm diameter, and sweetly scented.
The original natural flower colour is bright pinkish-purple.
But cultivars of other colours, including red, white, yellow and green, have been developed.
Some fragrance-less carnation cultivars are often used as boutonnieres for men.
Carnations were mentioned in Greek literature 2,000 years ago. "Dianthus" was coined by Greek botanist Theophrastus.
It is derived from the Greek words for divine ("dios") and flower ("anthos").
Some scholars believe that the name "carnation" comes from "coronation" or "corone" (flower garlands).