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Deptford Pink

©Janet Powell

Deptford pink

Enw gwyddonol: Dianthus armeria
The pretty Deptford pink is a very rare flower that is very vulnerable to the loss of our traditional grassland and farmland habitats. It can only be found in a few places in England and Wales.

Species information

Category

Ystadegau

Height: up to 60cm

Statws cadwraethol

Classified as Endangered on the Vascular Plant Red Data List for Great Britain. Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Priority Species under the UK Post-2010 Biodiversity Framework.

Pryd i'w gweld

July to August

Ynghylch

The Deptford pink has declined rapidly in range and is now known to inhabit only about 15 sites in the UK, mainly in the south. It prefers light, sandy, acidic soils and requires open conditions to grow well. It can be found on disturbed ground, such as tracks and field edges, along hedgerows, and in dry pasture.

Sut i'w hadnabod

The Deptford pink has a long flower stalk and deep pink petals that have delicate, pale spots and ragged edges. It has a rosette of green leaves at its base.

Dosbarthiad

Very rare and localised distribution in England and Wales.

Habitats

Roeddech chi yn gwybod?

The Deptford pink was named by a 17th century naturalist, Thomas Johnson, who described a pink flower growing in Deptford in East London. It is highly likely, however, that he was actually describing its cousin, Maiden pink, and that the Deptford pink had not grown in the area since the city of London was built.