Cushion baby’s-breath (Psammophiliella muralis, Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 13: 116 (1976))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: (L.) Ikonn.

Bibliography: Novosti Sist. Vyssh. Rast. 13: 116 (1976)

Year: 1976

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Psammophiliella

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Siberia and W. Himalaya

Description

The Cushion baby’s-breath, scientifically known as Psammophiliella muralis, is an intriguing plant renowned for its graceful appearance and remarkable adaptability. Described in the botanical literature in 1976, the name and classification have been attributed to the author L. Ikonn.

Belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family, this plant is recognized for its modest yet charming aesthetic. The Cushion baby’s-breath is native to a broad geographical expanse, spanning across Europe, extending through Siberia, and reaching as far as the Western Himalayas. This widespread distribution across various climates and terrains highlights its resilience and versatility.

Typically found in sandy or rocky habitats, Psammophiliella muralis is well-adapted to thrive in less fertile soils where many other plants may struggle. The plant features small, delicate blooms that lend a soft, cushion-like appearance, hence the name. Its flowers are a subtle reminder of the elegant simplicity found in nature.

Primarily appreciated for its ornamental value, the Cushion baby’s-breath is a favored choice in gardens and for floral arrangements, admired for its airy clusters of tiny flowers. Its enduring nature makes it a suitable addition to landscapes that require hardy, drought-tolerant plants.

In summary, Psammophiliella muralis, or Cushion baby’s-breath, is a plant that not only embellishes our natural surroundings with its understated beauty but also demonstrates an impressive ability to flourish across diverse and challenging environments.

Common Names

Eng: low baby’s-breath, cushion baby’s-breath
Deu: mauer-gipskraut
Fra: gypsophile des murs, gypsophile de moissons, gypsophile des murailles
En: Cushion baby’s-breath, Annual gypsophila, Low baby’s-breath
Ca: Gipsòfila mural
Zh: Xi xiao shi tou hua
Da: Mur-gipsurt
Nl: Gipskruid
Fi: Ketoraunikki
Fr: Gypsophile de murs, Gypsophile des moissons, Gypsophile des murailles, Gypsophile des murs, OEillet des roches
De: Mauer-Gipskraut, Acker-Gipskraut, Mauergipskraut
It: Gipsofila minuta
Ja: Nuka-ito-nadeshiko
Nb: Murslør
Nn: Murslør
Ru: Kačim postennyj
Sv: Grusnejlika, Ketoraunikki, Dvärgslöja

Synonyms

• Gypsophila muralis (L.)
• Psammophiliella stepposa ((Klokov) Ikonn.)
• Gypsophila arvensis (Borkh. ex Steud.)
• Gypsophila serotina (Hayne)
• Psammophila muralis ((L.) Ikonn.)
• Gypsophila agrestis (Pers.)
• Gypsophila purpurea (Gilib.)
• Gypsophila muralis var. serotina ((Hayne) Hartm.)
• Dichoglottis muralis ((L.) Jaub. & Spach)
• Gypsophila muralis f. micropetala (Holmboe)
• Gypsophila muralis var. stenopetala (Zapał.)
• Gypsophila muralis var. stepposa ((Klokov) Schischk.)
• Psammophila stepposa ((Klokov) Ikonn.)
• Saponaria muralis ((L.) Lam.)
• Gypsophila muralis var. gracillima (Sennen)
• Gypsophila stepposa (Klokov)
• Silene muralis ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Amur (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Khabarovsk (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manchuria (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Sardegna (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Sep 4, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2019 by Sloeniy Sloeniy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2019 by Sloeniy Sloeniy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 24, 2021 by susanne (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Oct 30, 2019 by André ROUX (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 29, 2019 by Sloeniy Sloeniy (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 29, 2019 by Cédric Ricard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 13, 2022 by Szilvia Hedrich (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2021 by Andreas Eberhardt (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 10, 2021 by giulia caruso (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Наталья Волкова (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2022 by Jérôme Wahl (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2022 by Jérôme Wahl (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 29, 2019 by Cédric Ricard (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 24, 2021 by schupp Claudia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2022 by Joey F (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 4, 2016 by EOL − johnsteel (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 14, 2021 by Роман Ковальчук (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 25, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2003 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 11, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 4, 2016 by EOL − johnsteel (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 4, 2016 by EOL − johnsteel (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 4, 2016 by EOL − johnsteel (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Amada44 (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Kenpei (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3085257)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:156262-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Gypsophila muralis L.)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5384457)

Specifications

Growth