Gypsophila

Gypsophila

Taxobox
name = Gypsophila


image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Gypsophila repens"
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Caryophyllales
familia = Caryophyllaceae
genus = "Gypsophila"
genus_authority = L.
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision = About 100 species; see text:

Gypsophila (Commonly known as Baby's-breath in the United States; elsewhere "Gypsophila" [ [http://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet?source=profile&symbol=GYPSO&display=63 "Gypsophila"] at [http://plants.usda.gov/ USDA PLANTS Database] ] ) is a genus of about 100 species of flowering plants 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 and perennial plants growing to 5-120 cm tall. The leaves are opposite, linear to narrow triangular, often falcate (sickle-shaped), 1-7 cm long and 2-8 mm broad. The flowers are produced in large inflorescences, which may be either dense or open and lax; each flower is small, 3-10 mm diameter, with five white or pink petals.

;Selected species
*"Gypsophila acutifolia" - Sharp-leaved Gypsophila
*"Gypsophila altissima"
*"Gypsophila aretioides"
*"Gypsophila arrostii"
*"Gypsophila bicolor"
*"Gypsophila bungeana" - Bunge's Gypsophila
*"Gypsophila capituliflora"
*"Gypsophila cephalotes"
*"Gypsophila cerastioides"
*"Gypsophila davurica"
*"Gypsophila desertorum"
*"Gypsophila elegans"
*"Gypsophila fastigiata" - Fastigiate Gypsophila
*"Gypsophila huashanensis"
*"Gypsophila licentiana"
*"Gypsophila muralis" - Annual Gypsophila
*"Gypsophila nana" - Dwarf Gypsophila
*"Gypsophila oldhamiana"
*"Gypsophila pacifica"
*"Gypsophila paniculata" - Common Gypsophila
*"Gypsophila patrinii"
*"Gypsophila perfoliata" - Perfoliate Gypsophila
*"Gypsophila petraea"
*"Gypsophila pilosa" - Turkish Baby's Breath
*"Gypsophila rokejeka" - Soap root [http://www.emthrace.org/exhibits/sweetmeats/halva/en/ Ethnological Museum of Thrace] ]
*"Gypsophila repens" - Alpine Gypsophila
*"Gypsophila scorzonerifolia" - Glandular Gypsophila
*"Gypsophila sericea"
*"Gypsophila spinosa"
*"Gypsophila tenuifolia"
*"Gypsophila tschiliensis"
*Black Gypsophila Baby's Breath

Cultivation and uses

Gypsophilas are often grown as ornamental plants in gardens; they are grown both as garden plants and also valuable as a cut flower in floristry to add as a filler to flower bouquets. The most commonly encountered in gardens are "G. paniculata" (a perennial species), "G. elegans", and "G. muralis" (both annual species). They are easily propagated from seed, by cuttings, or by root division before growth starts in the spring. Starting as a tiny seed, the annuals and perennials germinate in ten to fifteen days, and can grow rapidly up to 50 cm in height. While they prefer full sun, along with rich, light soil, deficiencies in poor soil constitution can be overcome by adding a general purpose fertilizer, as long as it is well drained.

"Gypsophila paniculata" has become an invasive species in parts of North America.

"Gypsophila rokejeka" is used to provide saponins in the production of halva

"Gypsophila" species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including three case-bearers of the genus "Coleophora" which feed on "G. fastigiata": "C. kyffhusana", "C. niveistrigella" (both of which feed exclusively on the plant) and "C. vicinella".

External links

* [http://www.iflorist.co.uk/pc-675-75-gypsophila.aspx Flowers] Flower information about gypsophila and its use in floristry

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Gypsophila — Gypsophila …   Wikipédia en Français

  • gypsophila — [jip säf′i lə] n. [ModL: see GYPSUM & PHIL] any of a genus (Gypsophila) of plants of the pink family, bearing clusters of small white or pink flowers with a delicate fragrance; baby s breath …   English World dictionary

  • Gypsophĭla — (Gypskraut, G. L), Pflanzengattung aus der Familie der Caryophylleae Sileneae Lychnideae, 10. Kl. 2. Ordn. L.; einheimische Arten: G. repens, G. fastigiata, G. muralis (Mauernelke); G. struthium, am Mittelmeer, in Spanien, mit dicker, schuhlanger …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Gypsophĭla — L. (Gipskraut), Gattung der Karyophyllazeen, einjährige und ausdauernde Kräuter und Halbsträucher von sehr verschiedenem Habitus, etwa 50 Arten, meist im östlichen Mittelmeergebiet, mehrere auch in Europa; eine in Vorderasien heimische Art (G.… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Gypsophila — Gypsophĭla L., Gipskraut, Pflanzengattg. der Karyophyllazeen. Die Wurzeln von G. Strutnĭum, Halbstrauch in Südeuropa und Nordafrika, als ägypt. und levant. Seifenwurz im Handel; dienen zum Waschen …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • Gypsophila — genus of the pink family, 1771, Modern Latin, from Gk. gypsos chalk, gypsum + philein to love …   Etymology dictionary

  • gypsophila — ► NOUN ▪ a garden plant with small pink or white flowers. ORIGIN Latin, from Greek gupsos chalk, gypsum + philos loving …   English terms dictionary

  • Gypsophila —   Gypsophila …   Wikipedia Español

  • Gypsophila — r …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Gypsophila — Gipskräuter Kriechendes Gipskraut (Gypsophila repens) Systematik Klasse: Dreifurchen …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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