The genus comprises approximately 150 species of annual or perennial herbaceous, creeping, or cushion-forming plants, inhabiting primarily the mountainous steppes in the north temperate part of the Old World with a diversification hotspot in the IranoTuranian region.
Each small flower has a cup-like calyx of white-edged green sepals containing five petals in shades of white or pink.
The fruit is a rounded or oval capsule opening at valves. It contains several brown or black seeds which are often shaped like a kidney or a snail shell.
A few species are commercially cultivated for several uses, including floristry, herbal medicine, and food.
The baby's breath most commonly used in flower arrangements such as bouquets is the common gypsophila, G. paniculata. G. elegans is also used as a cut flower.
