North China's baby breath, Meadow rock flower
Gypsophila davurica
Family: Caryophyllaceae
What it is like
A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows up to 80 cm tall. The leaves are opposite and without leaf stalks. They are narrow and sword shaped. They are 3-5 cm long by 3-7 mm wide. The flowers are white and tinged pink. They are in loose groups at the ends of the shoots.
It is used in medicine. There are about 100 Gypsophila species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows on hills, dry rocky slopes, steppes, fixed dunes in China. It grows in the eastern forests in Manchuria.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, China, Manchuria, Mongolia, Russia, Siberia
How it is used for food
CAUTION: It contains toxic saponin. The root is eaten after extensive processing. The young shoots are eaten as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Root, shoots
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Cao yuan shi tou hua