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Gypsophila L.Caryophyllaceae |
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Alternate trade names
gyp Common names
baby's breath Species cultivated
Gypsophila paniculata L. G. elegans Bieb. G. oldhamiana Miq. 'Million Stars', 'New Love', and 'Perfecta' are among the most popular cultivars. Origin
Eurasia. Brief characterization
Highly branched panicles on leafless stems, bearing numerous small flowers; calyx tube scarious, with 5 green-veined lobes; 5 petals (in single flowers); 10 stamens. Unlike other members of Caryophyllaceae (such as Dianthus (carnations), Gypsophila petals have little distinction between claw and limb. Cultivar and/or species variation
Panicles loosely to densely branched; flowers single, or more commonly, double, petals ca. 0.2-1.5 cm long, possibly longer in some cultivars, usually white or pink. May be confused with Limonium (Misty cultivars), Trachelium Countries exporting
Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe. |
Photo: © California Cut Flower Commission
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