38 
WILD FLOWERS OF THE BRITISH ISLES 
*Common Pink. (Dianthus plumarius, Linn.) — Not a native. Another similar 
species, the flowers i inch across, pale pink or white, the petals deeply toothed, sweet-scented, 
solitary or in a loose cluster (cyme), surrounded by 4 broad, shortly-pointed bracts £ as long 
as the sepals ; the capsule longer than the sepals ; and the stems 1 foot high, with the leaves 
opposite, narrow and pointed, grass-like, with rough edges. This is the origin of the various 
garden pinks. 
Very rare. An escape from cultivation naturalised on old walls. June — August. Perennial. 
*Clove Pink, Carnation. (Dianthus Caryophyllus, Linn.)— Not a native. A 
similar species to the Common Pink (Dianthus plumarius). Flowers ij inch across, rose- 
pink, sweet-scented, solitary or in loose clusters (cymes), surrounded by 4 broad, shortly- 
pointed bracts J as long as the sepals. Capsule shorter than the sepals. Stems 1-2 feet 
high, woody at the base, thickened at the joints (nodes) ; the leaves narrow and grass-like, the 
lower ones from 4-6 inches long, tufted at the base, green with a bluish bloom. This is the 
origin of the garden Carnations. 
Very rare. An escape from cultivation, found on old castles and rocks near. July — August. 
Perennial. 
Proliferous Pink. (Dianthus prolifer, Linn.) — Flowers small, £-§ inch across, rose- 
colour, in compact terminal clusters (heads). [As described in the genus Pink (Dianthus).] 
Each flower is enclosed in 1 or 2 brown, membranous, semi-transparent bracts as long as the 
calyx, and each cluster of flowers is enclosed in about 6 large, similar bracts. Capsule oval, 
tearing the calyx-tube as it increases in size. Stems 6 inch to 1 foot high, erect, simple or 
branched, swollen at the joints (nodes) ; the leaves short, |-f inch long, narrow and pointed, 
with rough margins. 
Very rare. Gravelly and sandy places. June — October. Annual. 
SOAPWORT. (SAPONARIA, LINN.) — Flowers pink, white, lilac or red, in small dense clusters, 
uniting into a large, showy terminal cluster (panicle or cyme). Sepals 5, united at the base into 
a tube and separating into 5 teeth ; petals 5, free, notched and clawed, with 2 small teeth at the 
base of each blade; stamens 10; carpels 2, united into a seedcase and separating into 2 styles. 
Fruit an oblong capsule, 1- or partially 2-celled, many-seeded, opening when ripe at the top 
by 4 teeth. Herbs with entire, opposite leaves, and stems with swollen joints (nodes). 
Common Soapwort. (Saponaria officinalis, Linn.)— As just described. Flowers large, 
1 inch across, flesh-colour or nearly white tinged with crimson, in showy, dense, terminal clusters. 
Stems 1 £-3 feet high, stout, erect, juicy, the upper half branched ; the leaves oval, pointed, smooth, 
2-4 inches long, strongly marked with 3 or 5 ribs, on very short broad stalks. [ Plate 22. 
Not common, probably an escape from cultivation. Banks, waysides, by the sides of streams. 
August — September. Perennial. 
*Saponaria Vaccaria, Linn. — A species with small, pink flowers and a very angular 
calyx-tube is occasionally found in cornfields in the south of England. It has doubtless been 
introduced from Europe, where it is a common cornflower weed. 
CATCHFLY, CAMPION. (SILENE, LINN.) — Flowers in loose clusters, the central flower 
opening first (panicles or cymes). Sepals 5, united into a narrow or inflated tube, with 10 veins, 
and separating into 5 teeth ; petals 5, entire or notched, narrowing at the base into a long claw 
which has two teeth at its summit; stamens 10; carpels 3, united into a 1 -celled seedcase and 
separating into 3 styles Capsule i-celled with 3 imperfect divisions at the base, many-seeded, 
