What is "gypsophila"

genus of the pink family, 1771, Modern Latin, from Greek gypsos "chalk, gypsum" (see gypsum) + philein "to love" (see philo-).

n. Any of the many flowering plants of the genus ''Gypsophila'', that have a profusion of small pink or white flowers.

Gypsophila is a genus of flowering plants in the carnation family, Caryophyllaceae. They are native to Eurasia, Africa, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. Turkey has a particularly high diversity of Gypsophila taxa, with about 35 endemic species. Some Gypsophila are introduced species in other regions.

The genus name is from the Greek gypsos ("gypsum") and philios ("loving"), a reference to the gypsum-rich substrates on which some species grow. 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.