Dianthus deltoides subsp. deltoides
Maiden pink, meadow pink, Meadow Pink
Christian Fischer (via Wikimedia Commons) · CC BY-SA
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Perennial · Not Native
Dianthus deltoides subsp. deltoides (Maiden pink) is a non-native California perennial in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by solitary flowers on long pedicels and distinctive zigzag petal markings.
Maiden pink is a naturalized perennial herb found in the northern Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley, and Modoc Plateau in wet meadows and disturbed areas at elevations below 2,500 meters. Flowering in early summer, this plant produces deep pink flowers with a darker zigzag band near the base, typically 4 to 9 millimeters wide. Growing 18 to 40 centimeters tall with slender rhizomes, it develops erect stems with distinctive linear to lance-linear leaves. Its basal leaves are oblanceolate, while stem leaves remain narrow and linear, creating a delicate architectural structure. The plant features a tubular calyx 1.3 to 1.7 centimeters long with 25 to 30 prominent ribs and linear to triangular lobes.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 2 species; key features are solitary flowers on long pedicels and distinctive zigzag petal markings
Habitat and range
Habitat: Wet meadows, disturbed areas
Elevation: < 2500 m
Outside California: Washington, British Columbia, Alberta to Colorado, eastern North America, native to Europe
Bloom period
Dianthus deltoides subsp. deltoides blooms Early summer.
How to tell it apart
vs Rosa: Dianthus has tubular flowers with 5 petals and green bracts; Rosa has flat flowers with many petals and compound leaves.; vs Pelargonium: Dianthus has radially symmetric tubular flowers; Pelargonium has bilaterally symmetric flowers in umbrella-like clusters.; vs Phlox: Dianthus has tubular flowers with green bracts at base; Phlox has flat-faced flowers without bracts and opposite leaves.; vs Clarkia: Dianthus has tubular flowers with many-veined tubes; Clarkia has 4-petaled flowers with inferior ovaries.; vs Portulaca: Dianthus has tubular flowers with green bracts; Portulaca has flat flowers and succulent leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dianthus deltoides subsp. deltoides native to California?
No. Dianthus deltoides subsp. deltoides is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Dianthus deltoides subsp. deltoides bloom?
Dianthus deltoides subsp. deltoides blooms Early summer.
What plant family does Dianthus deltoides subsp. deltoides belong to?
Dianthus deltoides subsp. deltoides is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Dianthus.
What habitat does Dianthus deltoides subsp. deltoides grow in?
Dianthus deltoides subsp. deltoides grows in Wet meadows, disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.