baby's breath, name for a plant of the family Caryophyllaceae (pink family) and for several other flowers, e.g., white bedstraw of the family Rubiaceae (madder family) and grape hyacinth of the family Liliaceae (lily family). The pink and madder families are classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, orders Caryophyllales and Rubiales, respectively. The lily family is classified in the class Liliopsida, order Liliales.

Either of two species of herbaceous plants of the genus Gypsophila (pink family), having profuse small blossoms. Both G. elegans, an annual, and G. paniculata, a perennial, are cultivated for their fine misty effect in rock gardens and flower borders and in floral arrangements. They are native to Eurasia.

Learn more about baby's breath with a free trial on Britannica.com.