Flower ID: IMG_9428.JPG-09-02-2023 Flower name (scientific): Psammophiliella muralis (Linnaeus) Sergei Sergeevich Ikonnikov PY: 1976. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) sam-oh-FY-lee-la mur-AL-liss Flower name (common): Low Baby's Breath Family name (common): Pink Family name (scientific): Caryophyllaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From Greek psammos meaning sand and philia for loving, hence sand loving. Refers to the preferred habitat of this plant being sandy soil. Specific epithet: From the Latin for growing on walls. Common name origin: Low refers to the small plant height often observed. One explanation for the second part of the common name is that the flowers were used as a baby shower gift. The term "baby's breath" was used starting around the mid nineteenth century to refer to a delicate or sweet scented fragrance of a number of plants, and to one species of the genus Gypsophila in particular, Gypsophila paniculata. The common name for the latter species became part of the common name for Gypsophila muralis, which was renamed to Psammophiliella muralis. Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.4 inches (5 to 10 mm) Petal count: 5 Color: pink or red Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Size: 2 to 16 inches (5 to 41 cm) Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is opposite, type is simple Size: Leaves up to about 3 cm long and up to 2 to 3 mm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, linear (FNA) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Introduced Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Uncommon Bloom time (typical): July to August Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Annual Habitat: Sidewalk cracks, roadsides, yards, disturbed sites, sun or semi-shade, dry. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): Petrorhagia saxifraga (Saxifrage Pink) has a resemblance to Psammophiliella muralis. Psammophiliella muralis has flowers about 6 to 10 mm wide with a calyx 2 to 4 mm long, whereas Petrorhagia saxifraga has flowers about 9 to 13 mm wide with a calyx 3 to 5 mm long. Petrorhagia saxifraga has a more limited county distribution in Wisconsin compared with Psammophiliella muralis. Ethnobotany: Latitude: 44.800327 Longitude: -91.509223 Altitude: 241.00 Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Barron, Bayfield, Chippewa, Dodge, Douglas, Eau Claire, Florence, Forest, Iron, Jackson, Langlade, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Oconto, Oneida, Portage, Price, Sheboygan, Taylor, Vilas, Waupaca, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (CT, DC, IN, KS, KY, MA, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SD, TN, VT, WI) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (NB, ON, QC) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym(s): Wetland Status (NC): Not listed Wetland Status (MW): Not listed