Baby's Breath
Gypsophila paniculata
Washington State Classification
Class C — Widespread, County-Selected Control
Baby's breath is an ornamental species that has escaped cultivation and invaded pastures and rangeland.
Quick Reference
Identification
Growth Habit
Baby's breath is a much-branched perennial herb growing up to 2.5 feet (0.75 meters) in height. It has a deep root system that helps it to survive in arid conditions.
Leaves
Leaves are opposite, narrow and are covered with a dense bloom of hairs on both sides.
Flowers
Baby's breath has branched clusters of many small flowers. Flowers have 5 white petals and 10 stamens.
Fruit & Seeds
Flowers form capsules that contain small black seeds, 0.06 to 0.08 inches (1.5 to 2.0 mm) long
Impact
Baby's breath is an ornamental species that has escaped cultivation and invaded pastures and rangeland. Once established, it forms dense stands and is difficult to control.
Ecology & Spread
Habitat
Baby's breath can withstand considerable variation in both temperature and moisture while being most aggressive in areas of low rainfall. It is commonly found in lightly grazed pastures, roadside ditches, hay fields, and abandoned fields. Please click here to see a county level distribution map of baby's breath in Washington.
Spread Mechanisms
Reproduction
Baby’s breath spreads by seed with a single plant averaging 13,700 seeds. Seeds are wind dispersed and can travel great distances. It can also increase the number of stems per plant as the roots age and increase in diameter.
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Control Methods
Mechanical
- Plants vigor is little reduced by mowing or clipping or by light or infrequent grazing.