Dianthus superbus L.

Herbs perennial, green to glaucous, to 60 cm tall or more. Stems caespitose, erect, distally branched, glabrous, large jointed. Leaves linear-lanceolate, 5--10 cm × 3--5 mm, sometimes glabrescent, midvein prominent, base connate into a sheath, apex sharply pointed. Flowers 1 or 2, terminal, sometimes axillary; bracts 4 or 6, elliptic to broadly ovate or obovate, 6--10 × 4--5 mm, ca. 1/4 as long as calyx, apex subulate or long acuminate. Calyx usually reddish purple, cylindric, 2.5--3 cm × 3--7 mm; teeth lanceolate, 4--5 mm. Petals 4--5 cm; claw 1.5--3 cm, surrounded by calyx tube; limb broadly obovate, 2--3 cm, fimbriate for at least 1/2 its length, throat bearded. Stamens and styles slightly exserted. Capsule cylindric, equaling or slightly longer than calyx, 4-toothed. Seeds black, glossy, compressed ovoid, ca. 2 mm. Fl. Jun--Sep, fr. Aug--Oct.

It grows in wooded hills, forest openings and margins, grassy hillsides, meadows, mountain valley streams, river banks between 400–3700 m altitude in China. It is frost hardy. It can thrive in damp situations. It suits hardiness zones 4-9. In Yunnan and Sichuan.

The leaves and young plant are cooked and eaten. The flowers are sucked for the nectar.

Plants can be grown by seeds or cuttings.