Carnations (Caryophyllaceae) are a family that is widespread worldwide with more than 2000 species. The Mediterranean is particularly rich in species of this family. These are mostly herbs that have, for the most part, opposite-arranged simple, entire leaves. A distinctly knee-shaped stem is simple or branched in various ways.
In the flower, in one whorl, there are 4 or 5 perianth leaves arranged, hence the flowers are four- or five-merous. The perianth is mostly double, from the calyx and crown. Sepals are free or fused. The petals are variously shaped, they can be entire, bilabiate, or have a narrowed base (spur) and an expanded upper part (lip), as in carnations. The petals may also be absent. Star-shaped flowers are usually bisexual, they can be solitary or grouped in inflorescences. Their fruit is mostly a many-seeded head, less commonly an achene or a berry.
Caryophyllaceae can form anthocyanins (water-soluble substances that give flowers red, purple or blue color shades) and saponins (substances that foam in water).
