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Dianthus barbatus

Species category

Flower

Common name

sweetwilliam, sweet william

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

OvalOval:
Broadly elliptic.

Size

  • Length 3 mm
  • Width 2 mm
  • Thickness 0.5 mm

Color

Dark gray

Texture

Rough to tuberculateTuberculate:
Having small pimple-like protuberances.

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 is on the point at the base. Depressions are on the lateral side.

Identification notes

Seeds are compressed and broadly ovalOval:
Broadly elliptic.
 in outline with a point at the basalBasal:
The base of the fruit or seed opposite the apical end.
 end. Surface texture is rough to tuberculateTuberculate:
Having small pimple-like protuberances.
. A ridge runs from the point to approximately half the central length of the seed. Seeds are roughly 3 mm in length.

Seeds of D. barbatus and D. armeria are very similar except for the size difference, with D. armeria being smaller at 1 mm in length.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Caryophyllaceae

Valid name

Dianthus barbatus L.

Synonyms

Dianthus barbatus L. ssp. barbatus

Dianthus barbatus (large seeds);  Dianthus armeria (small seeds).
Dianthus barbatus (large seeds); Dianthus armeria (small seeds).
Dianthus barbatus.  Rough to tuberculate seeds.
Dianthus barbatus. Rough to tuberculate seeds.