Gypsophila

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Gypsophila
Gypsophila repens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Genus: Gypsophila
L.
Species

about 150

Gypsophila /dʒɪpˈsɒfɪlə/[1][2] is a genus of flowering plants in the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae. They are native to Eurasia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.[3] Turkey has a particularly high diversity of Gypsophila taxa, with about 35 endemic species.[4] Some Gypsophila are introduced species in other regions.[3]

The genus name is from the Greek gypsos ("gypsum") and philios ("loving"), a reference to the gypsum-rich substrates on which some species grow.[3] Plants of the genus are known commonly as baby's-breath,[3][5] a name which also refers specifically to the well known ornamental species Gypsophila paniculata.

Description

Gypsophila are annual and perennial herbs often growing from a thick taproot or a branching caudex, sometimes with rhizomes. The stems are usually erect and branching or sprawling, or in a few species prostrate along the ground. The leaves are variable in shape. The inflorescence is usually a cyme or a thyrse, branching intricately. Each small flower has a cup-like calyx of white-edged green sepals containing five petals in shades of white or pink. The fruit is a rounded or oval capsule opening at valves. It contains several brown or black seeds which are often shaped like a kidney or a snail shell.[3]

Uses

A few species are commercially cultivated for several uses, including floristry, herbal medicine, and food. The baby's-breath most commonly used in flower arrangements such as bouquets is the common gypsophila, G. paniculata.[6] G. elegans is also used as a cut flower.[7]

The genus is a source of saponins that can be used for many purposes, including the production of photographic film and hemolytic laboratory reagents. Their detergent qualities make them useful in soap and shampoo.[6]

G. rokejeka is used to make the dessert halva.[6] Species are also ingredients in liqueur, cheese, and ice cream, providing flavor, aroma, and crispness to foods.[8]

Several species are hyperaccumulators of boron, and may be planted to absorb the element from polluted soils.[8]

Ecology

Some species are known as weeds, including the "aggressive ornamental" G. paniculata, which invades habitat and competes with native flora.[9]

Selected species

There are about 150 species in the genus.[3][10]

Gypsophila aretioides
Gypsophila cerastioides
Right frame 
Gypsophila sp. seeds

Species include:

  • Gypsophila acutifolia – sharpleaf baby's-breath
  • Gypsophila altissima
  • Gypsophila aretioides
  • Gypsophila arrostii – Arrost's baby's-breath
  • Gypsophila bicolor
  • Gypsophila capituliflora
  • Gypsophila cephalotes
  • Gypsophila cerastioides – chickweed baby's-breath
  • Gypsophila davurica
  • Gypsophila desertorum
  • Gypsophila elegans – showy baby's-breath
  • Gypsophila fastigiata – fastigiate gypsophila
  • Gypsophila glandulosa
  • Gypsophila glomerata
  • Gypsophila huashanensis
  • Gypsophila libanotica
  • Gypsophila licentiana
  • Gypsophila muralis – annual gypsophila, cushion baby's-breath, low baby's-breath
  • Gypsophila nana – dwarf gypsophila
  • Gypsophila oldhamiana – Manchurian baby's-breath, Oldham's baby's-breath
  • Gypsophila pacifica
  • Gypsophila paniculata – baby's-breath, common gypsophila, panicled baby's-breath
  • Gypsophila patrinii
  • Gypsophila perfoliata – perfoliate gypsophila
  • Gypsophila petraea
  • Gypsophila pilosa – Turkish baby's-breath
  • Gypsophila repens – alpine gypsophila, creeping baby's-breath
  • Gypsophila rokejeka
  • Gypsophila ruscifolia
  • Gypsophila scorzonerifolia – glandular baby's-breath, garden baby's-breath
  • Gypsophila sericea
  • Gypsophila silenoides
  • Gypsophila spinosa
  • Gypsophila stevenii – Steven's baby's-breath
  • Gypsophila struthium
  • Gypsophila tenuifolia
  • Gypsophila tschiliensis
  • Gypsophila uralensis
  • Gypsophila venusta
  • Gypsophila viscosa

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gypsophila.
  1. ↑ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607
  2. ↑ Gypsophila at USDA PLANTS Database
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Gypsophila. Flora of North America.
  4. ↑ Korkmaz, M., et al. (2012). Habitat properties of some Gypsophila L. (Caryophyllaceae) taxa of Turkey. Biyoloji Bilimleri Araştırma Dergisi (BİBAD) 5(2), 111-25.
  5. ↑ Gypsophila. Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Henry, M. Gypsophila paniculata L. (baby's breath): in vitro culture and the production of gypsogenin saponins. In: Medicinal and Aromatic Plants IV (pp. 187-206). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. 1993.
  7. ↑ Gypsophila elegans. Landscape Horticulture. American University of Beirut.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Korkmaz, M., et al. Economic importance and using purposes of Gypsophila L. and Ankyropetalum Fenzl (Caryophyllaceae) of Türkiye. In: 2nd International Symposium on Sustainable Development, June 8-9, 2010, Sarajevo.
  9. ↑ Baby's Breath (Gypsophila paniculata). Plant Health & Pest Management, Ministry of Agriculture, British Columbia.
  10. ↑ Gypsophila. The Plant List.

External links

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