Gypsophila repens

Gypsophila repens
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Genus: Gypsophila
Species: G. repens
Binomial name
Gypsophila repens
L.
Synonyms[1]
  • Gypsophila adscendens Jacq.
  • Gypsophila alpestris Jord. & Fourr.
  • Gypsophila dubia Willd.
  • Gypsophila erectiuscula Jord. & Fourr.
  • Gypsophila sabauda Jord. & Fourr.

Gypsophila repens, known as alpine gypsophila,[2] is a species of flowering plant of the family Caryophyllaceae, native to the mountains of central and southern Europe, where it grows on dry, chalky slopes.[3] The Latin name literally means "creeping chalk-lover".[4] It is a prostrate, mat-forming herbaceous perennial, growing around 20 cm (8 in) tall by 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide. For much of the summer it bears masses of star-shaped flowers which may be white, lilac or light purple, in loose panicles.[5][3]

In cultivation this plant is often grown in rock gardens or against dry stone walls. Like its relative G. paniculata, it is also used as a cut flower. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[6]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gypsophila repens.
  1. ↑ "The Plant List: A Working List of All Plant Species". Retrieved 9 April 2015.
  2. ↑ "BSBI List 2007" (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
  4. ↑ Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
  5. ↑ "Botanica. The Illustrated AZ of over 10000 garden plants and how to cultivate them", p. 419. Könemann, 2004. ISBN 3-8331-1253-0
  6. ↑ "Gypsophila repens AGM". RHS Plant Finder. Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 27 July 2013.