Petal wilting, which involves the degradation of cell constituents, such as proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, and nucleic acids, is a determinant of the vase-life of carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus L.) flowers. In this study, a cDNA fragment, encoding a putative nuclease (DcNUC1), was isolated from carnation petals. In the petals of senescing carnation flowers, the level of the DcNUC1 transcript increased, corresponding to the increase of ethylene production. It became maximal in wilted flowers, which suggested the association of DcNUC1 expression with the wilting in carnation flowers.