Dianthus japonica - Dianthus japonica

A perennial plant of the Caryophyllaceae family (APG classification: Caryophyllaceae). The stem is erect and clumpy, reaching a height of about 50 cm. The leaves are broad and linear, about 5 cm long, with three pairs of bracts. In autumn, two or three flowers bloom at the end of the stem, with pink petals that are finely cut at the end. It grows in mountain grasslands and riverbanks, and is distributed in Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. In the past, the Chinese-grown Dianthus nigra was called Karanadeshiko (Chinese Dianthus), while this species was called Yamatonadeshiko (Yamato Nadeshiko), but it is said that the meaning changed due to its neat and tidy appearance, and the term Yamatonadeshiko came to mean a Japanese woman. The basic species is the Ezokawaranadeshiko, which has two pairs of bracts, and is distributed in Honshu north of the Chubu region, Hokkaido, Siberia, and Europe. A short variant, the Takanedeshiko, grows in the high mountains of Honshu.

[Eiji Miki January 21, 2021]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

ナデシコ科（APG分類：ナデシコ科）の多年草。茎は直立、株立ちとなり高さ約50センチメートル。葉は広線形で長さ約5センチメートル、包葉は3対。秋に茎の先に2、3花をつけ、花弁は桃色で先は細かく切れ込む。山地の草原や河原に生え、本州、四国、九州に分布する。かつて中国産のセキチクをカラナデシコ（唐撫子）とよんだのに対し、本種をヤマトナデシコ（大和撫子）とよんだが、その清楚な姿から意味を転じ、日本的な女性のことを大和撫子というようになったといわれる。基本種は2対の包葉をもつエゾカワラナデシコで、中部地方以北の本州、北海道からシベリア、ヨーロッパに分布する。本州の高山には丈の短い変種のタカネナデシコが生育する。

［三木栄二　2021年1月21日］

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