View source for Gypsophila

{{SPlantbox
|familia=Caryophyllaceae
|genus=Gypsophila
|common_name=Babys breath
|name_ref=Flora - A Gardener's Encyclopedia ISBN 0881925381
|habit=herbaceous
|habit_ref=Wikipedia
|Temp Metric=°F
|image=Gypsophila rosenschleier.jpg
|image_width=240
}}
'''''Gypsophila''''' ({{pron-en|dʒɪpˈsɒfɪlə}})<ref>''Sunset Western Garden Book,'' 1995:606–607</ref>—commonly known as '''Baby's-breath''' in the [[United States]] and [[Canada]], "soap wort"{{Citation needed|date=July 2010}} in the United Kingdom, elsewhere ''Gypsophila''<ref>[http://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet?source=profile&symbol=GYPSO&display=63  ''Gypsophila''] at [http://plants.usda.gov/ USDA PLANTS Database]</ref>—is a [[genus]] of about 100 species of [[flowering plant]]s in the family [[Caryophyllaceae]], native to [[Europe]], [[Asia]] and north [[Africa]]. Many species are found on [[calcium]]-rich soils, including [[gypsum]], whence the name of the genus. Some species are also sometimes called "baby's breath" or simply, "Gyp", among the floral industry. Its botanical name means "lover of chalk", which is accurate in describing the type of soil in which this plant grows. 

They are [[herbaceous]] [[annual plant|annual]] and [[perennial plant]]s growing to 5–120 cm tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] are opposite, linear to narrow triangular, often falcate (sickle-shaped), 1–7 cm long and 2–8 mm broad. The [[flower]]s are produced in large [[inflorescence]]s, which may be either dense or open and lax; each flower is small, 3–10 mm diameter, with five white or pink petals.

{{Inc|
Gypsophila (gypsum-loving, because it likes calcareous soils). Caryophyllaceae. European and Asian herbs, bearing a profusion of small flowers, and useful for mist-like effects in mixed borders and as trimming in bouquets.

Sepals 5, united below, but the calyx naked at the base (not bracted, as in some related genera) 5-nerved; petals 5, clawed, very small, usually white, in some horticultural forms pinkish; stamens 10; styles 2: pod 4-valved: lvs. small, entire, opposite.—Perhaps 75 species. Very branchy or spreading, slender herbs, with scant foliage when in bloom. Of easiest cult, in open, rather dry places. They are desirable for rock- work. They make an excellent effect as filling amongst shrubbery; also good for covering unkempt places with a mass of delicate bloom. Hardy.
}}