Baby S Breath Flower Name Origin

All flowers have a meaning and baby s breath means innocence because a baby s breathe is said to be the purest breath of all.
Baby s breath flower name origin. Despite the fact that they are considered a simple filler flower baby s breath have a wide variety of other uses. The flower we commonly call the baby s breath is better known as the gypsophila family. The name is derived from the fact that all the flowers in this family thrive on soil high in gypsum a mineral that makes the soil too thick and heavy for many other types of plants. They come in fairly simple colors of white and dusky pink.
It is usually used for bouquets and other flower arrangements. The baby s breath flower is considered one of the best and easiest blossoms to dry and is often placed alongside other dried. It is interesting to know that the work gysophila actually means chalk loving and this name comes from the conditions preferred by the baby s breath plant. Some people say they like newborn s breath but the name may simply reflect the fact that these blossoms are small and delicate.
Why are those tiny white flowers that grace bouquets called baby s breath. There are some 55 species of gypsophila found in europe asia and the eastern mediterranean. Gypsophila paniculata commonly known as baby s breath is a cultivated ornamental flower popular in the florist trade and originally from eastern europe. Plants of the genus are known commonly as baby s breath or babe s breath a name which also refers specifically to the well known ornamental species gypsophila paniculata.
Baby s breath also called gysophila paniculata is originally from eastern europe. Johann amman a swiss russian botanist sent the first samples of the plant from st petersburg. The sample travelled all the way to linnaeus. The genus name is from the greek gypsos gypsum and philios loving a reference to the gypsum rich substrates on which some species grow.
The airy mound forming panicles of flowers are available in white pink or purple blushed. This is a wonderful flowering perennial for the summer garden and for use in the flower vase. Baby s breath is the name of a flower or types of flower. Their genus name gypsophila literally means gypsum loving reflecting the fact that baby s breath thrives in gypsum rich soil.
It belongs to the family. They grow in sandy dry soil. Moreover people of great britain gave high reverence to this flower because of its meaning and. Etymological meaning of the baby breath flower.
While you likely know the bright white variety best there are pink and faintly yellow types too. It is known in great britain by the name soapwort. It was a staple flower during the victorian era because they found this flower adorable in its light lacy floral canopy. Its name baby s breath however was derived from the fact that this flower is widely used as a special baby shower gift.
There are many legends and stories all around the world that are based on the origin of a baby s breath flower and its name. Flowers from the gypsophilia genus come originally from eurasia australia and africa but today this flower can be found all over the world.