Member of the Caryophyllaceae family, gypsophila is one of 2000 species of flowering plants, across 88 genera, which are members of this family. Bizarrely it is related to the carnation, to which is bears no resemblance, and also the firepink and Campion. Other related species include stitchwort and chickweed, catchflies, knawels, pearlworts and sea-spurreys.

Gypsophilia grows commercially on a large scale in Holland, Ecuador and Israel, and elsewhere in the world on a smaller scale. Examples of "small scale" gypsophila-growing operations can be found in such places as New Zealand, who sell almost exclusively to niche markets in Japan, Singapore, New Caledonia and the Pacific Islands.

Once used solely as a "filler" amongst - for example - red roses, and as extra bulk in cheaper, mixed bouquets, it is now being used to better effect. Gypsophila is even starting to take centre stage as the main flower focus of bouquets and arrangements. Trendy displays consisting of nothing more than gypsophila and a little foliage are very much in vogue at the moment, looking great as a table centre at a dinner party. It's true - now favored by celebrity and designer florists, the humble gypsophila has been given a new lease of life!