Sweet William is known to the world of science by their scientific name, Dianthus caryophyllus and belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family of plants. To the rest of the world, the plant is commonly called carnation, wild carnations, and pinks. Carnations are identified by their bluish-grey to green colored leaves and fringed flowers that bloom in a pale to dark pink coloration. Species of the carnation can be found in Europe, Northern Africa and portions of North America. The plants usually blooms in late July to early August and seeds in September.
Sweet William plants are only mildly toxic to felines, causing clinical signs of gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting and diarrhea. Sweet William plants, like other Dianthus species, contain triterpenoid saponins that cause dermatitis when the sap comes into contact with the skin. These saponins are also believed to cause a similar irritation to the esophagus, stomach, and lower digestive system when ingested. Although no reports have been made of a feline Sweet William poisoning fatality, the ingestion of this plant should always be taken seriously.