Second most popular cut flower - the carnation

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I wrote about the rose being the most popular cut flower. Second in line is the carnation. I love the perfume from carnations and had them in my wedding bouquet. The fancy name is Dianthus caryophyllus. Wild carnations are in Mediterranean countries but there has been extensive cultivation for the last 2,000 years. This has resulted in a number of cultivars. The term ‘dianthus’ comes from the Ancient Greek ‘dios’ meaning ‘divine’ and ‘anthos’ ‘flower’. ‘Carnation’ is thought to have from the Latin ‘corona’ meaning wreath or garland as is it one of the flowers used in ancient ceremonial crowns. There is a legend that the goddess Diana was spurned by a shepherd boy. Ripping out his eyes, Diana threw them to the ground where they sprouted into the dianthus flower. Some interesting facts: They are used medicinally for upset stomach and fever. The red carnation, and red rose, are used as a symbol of socialism. Bright red carnations were used in 1974 when the Portuguese Estado Novo regime was overthrown. This period became known as the Carnation Revolution. And red carnations have turned into a symbol of mourning following the Black January events of 1990 when, in Azerbaijan, there was a violent crackdown on the civilian population by USSR troops. In the Netherlands during World War II, Prince Bernhard wore a white carnation. This became a symbol of resistance for Dutch citizens, many of whom took up the practice. In France, carnations are traditional funeral flowers. Photo courtesy: David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons