Gypsophila paniculata

 

  Gypsophila is a genus of flowering plants in the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae. They are native to Eurasia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. Plants of the genus are known commonly as baby's-breath, a name which also refers specifically to the well known ornamental species Gypsophila paniculata. 
   
  Gypsophila are annual and perennial herbs often growing from a thick taproot or a branching caudex, sometimes with rhizomes. The stems are usually erect and branching or sprawling, or in a few species prostrate along the ground. Baby's breath usually reaches 60 to 120 cm (2–4 feet) in height. The leaves are variable in shape. The inflorescence is usually a cyme or a thyrse, branching intricately. 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. They are long lasting with a long blooming season, typically from mid-spring through to the end of summer. Cutting back spent Gypsophila paniculata flowers will encourage further blooming. Baby's breath can live for more than two years.

  Most people know the baby’s breath flower as the iconic symbol of long-lasting love because it’s commonly used to round out wedding bouquets and centerpieces. The tiny white flowers represent the purity of emotion that two people should have for each other during a wedding ceremony. Aside from marriage connotations, the baby’s breath is also tied to babies in an obvious way. It’s traditional to give new mothers floral arrangements featuring at least one or two sprigs of this plant. Self-discipline and fidelity is a modern meaning for this classic flower.