Flora of New Zealand Series

gypsophila

Perennial with thick root. Flowering stems erect, glabrous or hairy near base, branching, (30)-40-100 cm tall. Lvs narrow-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, acute to acuminate, glabrous, glaucous, (10)-20-50 × 1-5 mm. Infl. a large, dichasial panicle with > 100 fls. Bracts deltoid, acute to acuminate, glabrous; margins scarious. Calyx widely bell-shaped, glabrous, 1.5-2 mm long, divided to c. 1/2 way; teeth ovate, rounded with broad scarious margins. Petals white or pink, = or slightly > calyx, entire or truncate. Styles exserted, spreading. Capsule globose, slightly > calyx. Seeds 1-1.5 × 1-1.5 mm, warty.

S.: Canterbury, C. Otago.

E. and C. Europe, W. Asia 1958

Pasture, roadsides, riverbeds, waste land. Rather local but well established in a few sites, a garden escape.

G. paniculata is also known as baby's breath.