What is "dianthus deltoides"

maiden pink \maiden pink\ n. A low-growing loosely mat-forming Eurasian pink ( Dianthus deltoides) with single crimson-eyed pale pink flowers.

Pink \Pink\, n. [Perh. akin to pick; as if the edges of the petals were picked out. Cf. Pink, v. t.]

1. (Bot.) A name given to several plants of the caryophyllaceous genus Dianthus, and to their flowers, which are sometimes very fragrant and often double in cultivated varieties. The species are mostly perennial herbs, with opposite linear leaves, and handsome five-petaled flowers with a tubular calyx.

2. A color resulting from the combination of a pure vivid red with more or less white; -- so called from the common color of the flower.
   --Dryden.

3. Anything supremely excellent; the embodiment or perfection of something. ``The very pink of courtesy.''
   --Shak.

4. (Zo["o]l.) The European minnow; -- so called from the color of its abdomen in summer. [Prov. Eng.]

   Bunch pink is Dianthus barbatus.

   China pink, or Indian pink. See under China.

   Clove pink is Dianthus Caryophyllus, the stock from which carnations are derived.

   Garden pink. See Pheasant's eye.

   Meadow pink is applied to Dianthus deltoides; also, to the ragged robin.

   Maiden pink, Dianthus deltoides.

   Moss pink. See under Moss.

   Pink needle, the pin grass; -- so called from the long, tapering points of the carpels. See Alfilaria.

   Sea pink. See Thrift.

Dianthus deltoides (maiden pink) is a species of Dianthus native to most of Europe and western Asia. It can also be found in many parts of North America, where it is an introduced species.

It is a herbaceous perennial plant growing to 45 centimeters tall. It has very narrow green or glaucous leaves forming a loosely tufted plant. The flowers are 15–20 millimeters across and usually pink, but they may be white and are often spotted white. It has an epicalyx of bracteoles. The calyx tube itself is not scarious (papery and membranous) at the joints between the lobes. It is a plant of often calcareous grassland but may also be found on rocky ground and occasionally on old mine spoil. It has been observed to hybridise with introduced Dianthus barbatus, when native.