Flower ID: IMG_4402.JPG-07-10-2020 Flower name (scientific): Gypsophila muralis Linnaeus PY: 1753. Plants of the World Online treats this as a synonym of Psammophiliella muralis (L.) Ikonn., but the FNA does not. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) jip-SOF-il-uh mur-AL-liss Flower name (common): Low Baby's Breath Family name (common): Pink Family name (scientific): Caryophyllaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Latin gypso for gypsum or chalk, and phila for love, referencing the preferred habitat of gypsum. 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. Flower description: Size: 0.2 to 0.4 inches (0.5 to 1.0 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: pink or red Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Size: Typically 2 to 12 inches (4 to 30 cm), can be up to 40 cm. Stem hairy: Other: Leaf description: attachment is opposite, type is simple Size: 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 Gypsophila muralis. G. muralis has flowers about 6 to 10 mm wide with a calyx 2 to 4 mm long, whereas P. saxifraga has flowers about 9 to 13 mm wide with a calyx 3 to 5 mm long. P. saxifraga has a more limited county distribution in Wisconsin compared with G. muralis. Ethnobotany: Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: 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: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Psammophiliella muralis (Linnaeus) Ikonnikov Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): Not listed Wetland Status (MW): Not listed