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Gypsophila
Genus of flowering plants From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Gypsophila (/dʒɪpˈsɒfɪlə/)[2][3] is a genus of flowering plants in the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae. They are native to Eurasia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.[4] Turkey has a particularly high diversity of Gypsophila taxa, with about 35 endemic species.[5] Some[6] Gypsophila are introduced species in other regions.[4]
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The genus name is from the Greek gypsos ("gypsum") and philios ("loving"), a reference to the gypsum-rich substrates on which some species grow.[4] Plants of the genus are known commonly as baby's-breath, or bebe's breath,[4][7] a name which also refers specifically to the well known ornamental species Gypsophila paniculata.
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Description
Gypsophila is one of the most heterogeneous and largest groups in the carnation tribe, Caryophylleae. The genus comprises approximately 150 species of annual or perennial herbaceous, creeping or cushion-forming plants, inhabiting primarily the mountainous steppes in the north temperate part of the Old World with a diversification hotspot in the Irano-Turanian region.[8] These species also show major variation in inflorescence type ranging from many-flowered lax thyrses or panicles (e.g., G. elegans M.Bieb., G. paniculata L., G. pilosa Huds.) to compact head-like cymes ( G. capitata M.Bieb., G. capituliflora Rupr., G. caricifolia Boiss.), and few-(uni-)flowered raceme-like monochasia (e.g., G. bazorganica Rech.f., G. saponarioides Bornm. & Gauba). 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.[4]
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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.[9] G. elegans is also used as a cut flower.[10]
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.[9]
G. rokejeka is used to make the dessert halva.[9] Species are also ingredients in liqueur, cheese, and ice cream, providing flavor, aroma, and crispness to foods.[11]
Several species are hyperaccumulators of boron, and may be planted to absorb the element from polluted soils.[11]
The plant is also used in making a foam-like topping for a popular dessert called "kerebiç" in Mersin province of Turkey.
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Ecology
Some species are known as weeds, including the "aggressive ornamental" G. paniculata, which invades habitat and competes with native flora.[12]
The plant G. simonii (çöven in Turkish) is widely distributed in Turkey, where it is a native species.
Selected species
There are about 150 species in the genus.[4][13]
Species include:
- Gypsophila acutifolia – sharpleaf baby's-breath
- Gypsophila arrostii – Arrost's baby's-breath
- Gypsophila elegans – showy baby's-breath
- Gypsophila fastigiata – fastigiate gypsophila
- Gypsophila litwinowii
- Gypsophila nana – dwarf gypsophila
- Gypsophila oldhamiana – Manchurian baby's-breath, Oldham's baby's-breath
- Gypsophila paniculata – baby's-breath, common gypsophila, panicled baby's-breath
- Gypsophila perfoliata – perfoliate gypsophila
- Gypsophila petraea
- Gypsophila pilosa – Turkish baby's-breath
- Gypsophila repens – alpine gypsophila, creeping baby's-breath
- Gypsophila scorzonerifolia – glandular baby's-breath, garden baby's-breath
- Gypsophila spinosa
- Gypsophila stevenii – Steven's baby's-breath
Gypsophila muralis (annual gypsophila, cushion baby's-breath, low baby's-breath) is now placed in the genus Psammophiliella.[14]
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References
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