This annual or biennial has a stiffly erect, branched stem 6-24 inches tall. The opposite, linear leaves are 1-3 inches long. Small flowers 1/2 inch in diameter, sometimes solitary, more often in small clusters, are borne at the end of the stems (B,C). Flowers are flanked by 1-3 bristly, linear bracts. Five pink or rose colored petals with rounded, notched tips and whitish spots surround a single pistil and 10 stamens which have purple anthers (C).
This flower was introduced from Europe as a garden ornamental. It is now established in pastures, fields, roadsides and disturbed areas, flowering from late May to early July. At Neale Woods, Deptford Pink is rare; a single population was found in the Knull Prairie restoration next to the Millard Observatory.
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