Gypsophila is from the Greek gypsos meaning plaster of Paris and philos meaning lover and refers to the love of limestone soils shown by some species.
Other Names:
Summary:
A delicate, airy, many branched, perennial, tumbleweed like herb about 1 m round with a profusion of tiny, 5 petal, flowers in summer. The opposite leaves are small and grey-green on long wiry stems. It has a woody rhizome.
Description:
Cotyledons:
Two.
First leaves:
Leaves:
Stipules -
Petiole -
Blade -
Stem leaves -
Stems:
Flower head:
Flowers:
Ovary -
Sepals - 5 ribbed.
Petals -
Stamens -
Anthers -
Fruit:
Seeds:
Roots:
Key Characters:
Biology:
Life cycle:
Perennial herb.
Physiology:
Reproduction:
Flowering times:
Seed Biology and Germination:
Vegetative Propagules:
Hybrids:
Allelopathy:
Population Dynamics and Dispersal:
Origin and History:
Europe. Siberia.
Distribution:
SA.
Habitats:
Climate:
Prefers full sun.
Soil:
Prefers slightly alkaline sands.
Plant Associations:
Significance:
Beneficial:
Ornamental.
Detrimental:
Weed of disturbed areas, roadsides, coastal areas and freshwater dunes.
Invasive weed of the USA.
Toxicity:
Suspected of poisoning stock and reported to contain a saponin.
Symptoms:
Treatment:
Remove stock from infestation. Don't feed garden refuse containing Gypsophila to stock.
Legislation:
None.
Management and Control:
Plant trees or shrubs to increase the shade.
Thresholds:
Eradication strategies:
Cut the root at least 100 mm below ground level with a shovel then remove the top growth leaving the root in place to monitor for re shooting. Retreat as required.
Burning the top growth with a flame thrower is also used early in the growing season.