Family: carnations (Caryophyllaceae)
Flowering time: June–August
Size: 20–60 cm
Habitat: rocky, grassy and shrubby slopes, open forests
Two to five white or light pink flowers of the Montpellier carnation or clove (Dianthus hyssopifolius) are grouped into long-peduncled inflorescences. The flower measures 25–30 mm in diameter. The terminal leaves are deeply dissected, and the scales on the calyx leaves are elongated into a spear-like beak. Its long, sharply pointed stem leaves are dark green. The genus name of carnations or cloves derives from the Greek words dios (divine) and anthos (flower). The flowers not only look divine, but also smell divine. In Slovenia the Montpellier carnation is protected, so it is not allowed to pick it or transport it from its natural habitat. In suitable habitats it can be found in the western and central parts of Slovenia, while further east it is very rare.
