Dianthus is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae , found mainly in Europe and Asia , with a few species found south to north Africa , and one species ( D. repens ) in Arctic North America . Dianthus is a genus of about 300 species of flowering plants in the family Caryophyllaceae , native mainly to Europe and Asia , with a few species extending south to north Africa , and one species ( D. repens ) in arctic North America .