The Creeping Gypsophila 



(GTPSOPHILA REPENS) 



The Creeping Gypsophila is a perennial plant with a woody 

 stem, from which branches arise bearing the narrow 

 strap-shaped leaves and pale crowded flowers. It is found 

 in all the limestone regions of the Alps, amongst the rocky 

 boulders beside mountain streams, and in dry torrent beds 

 between looo and 7000 feet, and even descends to the 

 plains with certain of the rivers. It is found, for example, 

 near Munich on the banks of the Isar. The plant is also 

 widely distributed in the mountain regions of Central Europe 

 and extends from the Pyrenees to the Carpathians. The 

 flowers, which open in July and August, are white with 

 more or less of a tinge of pink about them, which may be 

 quite marked in certain cases. Together they form what 

 is botanically known as a corymb. The numerous flower 

 stalks branching off from different points of the ascending 

 stem are of such a length that all the flowers are approxi- 

 mately on the same level. In this way they are displayed 

 to the best advantage, so that their insect visitors may find 

 it easy to pass from flower to flower. There are several 

 species of Sandwort and Chickweed to be found in Switzer- 

 land that closely resemble the Creeping Gypsophila. Apart 

 from technicalities the chief points to keep in mind in the 

 identification of the plant are the woody creeping stem, the 

 much-branched flower stalks, and the entire absence of hairs. 



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