Baby's Breath

BABY'S BREATH
(Maiden's breath, tall gypsophyll)


Habitat: Roadsides, waste places and pastures.


Description: Stems are course with many silvery branches and measure .3 to 1 meter tall.  THe leaves are narrow and sit opposite from one another and range from 2.5 to 10 cm long.  They have numerous, small, white or rosy coloured flowers that are approximately 6 mm across.  There are up to four seeds per capsule with a black surface and concentric rows of bumps.


Control Practices:

1. Alternate cropping and summerfallow will provide some control and possible elimination.  Cultivation must be deep enough to cut the root below the crown.

2. Heavy grazing with cattle early in the season will reduce seed production and seed spread.

3. Mowing will also help control the seed production but will not control existing plants.

4. Chemical control is also a great control practice.


To view photos, please click here.