Dianthus caryophyllus, commonly known as the carnation or clove pink, is a species of Dianthus. It is likely native to the Mediterranean region but its exact range is unknown due to extensive cultivation for the last 2,000 years.[1][2][3][4]Carnations were mentioned in Greek literature 2,000 years ago. The term dianthus was coined by Greek botanist Theophrastus, and is derived from the Ancient Greek words for divine ("dios") and flower ("anthos").[5] The name "carnation" is believed to come from the Latin corona-ae, a "wreath, garland, chaplet, crown",[6] as it was one of the flowers used in Greek and Roman ceremonial crowns, or possibly from the Latin caro (genitive carnis), "flesh",[6] which refers to the natural colour of the flower, or in Christian iconography incarnatio, "incarnation", God made flesh in the form of Jesus. [Wikipedia]
