Sweet William
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||
| Dianthus barbatus L. |
Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus) is a flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae, native to the mountains of southern Europe from the Pyrenees east to the Carpathians and the Balkans. Sweet Williams are also nicknamed as "Indian Carpet".
It is a herbaceous biennial or short-lived perennial plant growing to 40-70 cm tall, with green, blue-green or glaucous tapered leaves 4-10 cm long and 1-2 cm broad. The flowers are produced in a cluster at the top of the stems and have a spicy, clovelike scent; each flower has a 2 cm diameter with five petals with serrated edges; in wild plants the petals are red with a white base.
[edit] Cultivation and uses
It was introduced to England in the sixteenth century and later, to North America. It is a popular ornamental plant in gardens, with numerous cultivars selected for differing flower colour, ranging from white, pink, red and purple or with variegated patterns.
Its traditional use is in landscaping and cut flowers. Gerard praises its beauty but omits any reference to medicinal uses. Its height makes it convenient for flower arrangements. In the Victorian language of flowers, Sweet William symbolizes gallantry. The plant is a favorite for borders, meadows and rock gardens and is most at home in informal country cottage style gardens. Sweet William is a good candidate for a naturalistic garden because its nectar attracts birds, bees and butterflies.
Its flowers are considered edible.
Sweet William thrives in loamy, slightly alkaline soil with sun to partial shade. Propagation is by seed, cuttings or division but seeds of cultivars will not breed true. If it is planted from seed after the last frost, it will flower in the second year. If it is planted in flats before the last frost and then transplanted it may flower in the first year. Some gardeners recommend deadheading to encourage further flowering. The plant is self-seeding.
In 1977 the question of possible medical uses was revisited by Cordell. Saponins with antiinflammatory and analgesic effects were found in Sweet William. There has been little followup.
Many legends purport to explain how Sweet William acquired its name, but none are verified. It is variously said to be named after Saint William of York, William the Conqueror, or Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland. Another etymology is that william is a corruption of the French oillet, meaning little eye. Sweet William is a favorite name for lovelorn young men in English folkloric ballads.
 |
This Caryophyllales article is a stub. Please help Wikipedia grow by expanding it. |
