Gypsophlia is a genus of about 100 species of flowering plants.
Many species don’t like acid soils and are found on calcium rich soils that are
high in gypsum hence the name of the genus. Baby’s breath can be both an
herbaceous annual Gypsophila murslis and a perennial Gypsophila paniculata that is
able to withstand periods of short- term drought.
The plant grows 12-18”
tall and has leaves that are narrow, up to 4” long and sickle shaped. It has
slender stems that are openly branched and a deep taproot. Baby’s breath has flowers
that are small, white, and dense. These delicate clusters have five white or pink
petals. It can produce over 13,000 seeds per plant. Baby’s breath has a long
blooming time, lasting from early summer to early autumn. It doesn’t transplant
well so seeds are usually sown in the early spring. Baby’s breath likes partial shade
to full sun.
It seems to do best in areas where the annual precipitation ranges
from 25-112 cm and does well in coarse soil where it develops a deep root system.
Two popular varieties are Bristol Fairy and Pink Fairy.
Baby’s breath often grows wild in waste areas and is often seen
growing along roadsides. It is grown for dry land wildflower mixtures and used in
gardens as both a flower and as ground cover. Florists use it extensively in
the cut flower industry as filler in bouquets. Baby’s breath can also be easily
dried and used for decorative purposes.
It is hand harvested and can be cut fresh or
left to dry in the fields. Pickers often harvest and bundle it with rubber bands. To
dry baby’s breath it should be stored in a dark, airy place. If cut fresh, growers
can dip the stems in colored glycerin and color its flowers.
In Europe the root of
baby’s breath is used for its saponin content. Saponin is a plant chemical that forms
soapy lathers when gitated with water and can be used in detergents, and emulsifiers.
In Washington State, Gypsophila paniculata is a class C noxious
weed and is invasive in some situations. Baby’s breath is grown in Washington
both in fields as a crop and is also collected in the wild. An actual acreage
count in Washington is difficult for the collection of wild baby’s breath since most is
not reported.
However, the collection and sales of cultivated baby’s breath is a
multimilliondollar industry in the state. Wild baby’s breath grows throughout
the arid region of the state from the Canadian border to the Oregon border.
From many sources
