Dianthus superbus var. superbus ("Ezokawaranadeshiko")

Japanese name: エゾカワラナデシコ （蝦夷河原撫子）
Scientific name: Dianthus superbus var. superbus

[Overview]
A perennial 30–50 cm tall, found in sunny places in the mountains.
In Hokkaido it is also found in lowlands.
The stem is erect, branches in the upper part, and has swollen nodes.
Leaves are simple and opposite, linear to lanceolate, 3–7 cm long, and tinged with a powdery white.
The leaf bases clasp the stem.
Cymes at the stem tips bear sparse flowers.
At the base of the inflorescence there are 2 pairs of bracts; the lower pair is larger, and the tips of the bracts extend into a tail.
The flowers are pale pink, 5-petaled, about 4 cm across.
The petals are deeply split into threads at the tip.
The calyx tube is 2–3 cm long.
The fruit is a cylindrical capsule; when ripe, the tip splits into 4 and releases black seeds.

[Uses]
The whole plant and the seeds are used medicinally.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, by division, or by shoot cuttings.
It prefers a sunny, well-ventilated place with well-drained soil.
Keep the soil neutral to slightly alkaline.
Keep it slightly on the dry side; for potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Excess moisture causes root rot and disease.
In spring and autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil once a month.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

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