Gypsophila scorzonerifolia
Glandular baby's-breath, Glandular Baby's-Breath
(c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Caryophyllaceae · Type: Herb · Not Native
Gypsophila scorzonerifolia (Glandular baby's-breath) is a non-native California herb in the Caryophyllaceae family, recognized by uniquely distinguished by glandular-hairy pedicels and calyx.
Glandular baby's-breath is a naturalized perennial herb found in the southern eastern California region, specifically Inyo County, in disturbed areas at approximately 1,200 meters elevation. Flowering from summer to fall, this plant produces delicate white to light pink flowers in small, open clusters with glandular-hairy pedicels. Growing 30 to 90 centimeters tall with a stout rhizome, it has an upright and somewhat sprawling habit. Its leaves are distinctive, ranging from 3 to 35 millimeters wide, with a linear-oblong to lanceolate shape that provides an airy, open texture to the plant. The flowers have small white-scarious calyxes 2 to 4 millimeters long, with petals slightly larger at 4 to 6 millimeters.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; uniquely distinguished by glandular-hairy pedicels and calyx
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: +- 1200 m.
Outside California: to Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, also southwestern Canada, +- northeastern United States, native to eastern Europe
Bloom period
Gypsophila scorzonerifolia blooms Summer-fall.
How to tell it apart
vs Torilis: Gypsophila has cloud-like flower masses with 5-petaled flowers; Torilis has umbrella-shaped clusters with tiny white umbels.; vs Lobularia: Gypsophila has tubular flowers with visible sepals; Lobularia has 4-petaled cross-shaped flowers with no visible tube.; vs Eriogonum: Gypsophila has opposite leaves and tubular flowers; Eriogonum has basal leaf rosettes and papery flower bracts.; vs Saponaria: Gypsophila has tiny flowers (tube under 5mm) with white-striped tubes; Saponaria has large flowers (tube 9-25mm) with solid green tubes.; vs Vaccaria: Gypsophila has cup-shaped tubes under 5mm with white stripes; Vaccaria has angled tubes 9-25mm that are solid green.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gypsophila scorzonerifolia native to California?
No. Gypsophila scorzonerifolia is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Gypsophila scorzonerifolia bloom?
Gypsophila scorzonerifolia blooms Summer-fall.
What plant family does Gypsophila scorzonerifolia belong to?
Gypsophila scorzonerifolia is in the Caryophyllaceae family, genus Gypsophila.
What habitat does Gypsophila scorzonerifolia grow in?
Gypsophila scorzonerifolia grows in Disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.