Using repeats found in sequences from Dianthus species present in the EMBL database, primers for STMS (sequence-tagged microsatellite site) analysis were developed and tested. Five loci were polymorphic and amplified products of sufficient quality in nearly all of the 26 Dianthus species tested, except MS-DINGSTA, which amplified in only one-third of the species. Loci MS-DINMADSBOX and MS-DCDIA30 produced allele series that were mostly two nucleotides (the repeat unit) apart. MS-DCAMCRBSY and MS-DINCARACC also amplified regular series of alleles, but more than two fragments per individual were detected in a number of species. Both loci code for a member of the ACC synthase gene family. The observation that the loci amplified across a wide range of Dianthus species may imply that the different species within the genus are relatively closely related. Alternatively, it may indicate that the regions selected for primer design (some of which are in coding regions) are well conserved. These microsatellites will be useful for the measurement of genetic diversity in natural populations of Dianthus species and the identification of carnation varieties.