-"Baby's Breath" may be familiar to many as a plant used by many floral shops to augment a floral arrangement, or perhaps it may even be included in "wildflower mixes". This plant however, is highly invasive in dune and prairie habitats. It has invaded much of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Shoreline, and has now been found in Mason County. Approximately two dozens plants were found between the walkway on the south pier and the Crosswinds Condominiums. This plant can grow to three feet in height and width and bear thousands of flowers. When the seed pods mature they can release thousands of seeds. In late summer and fall the plant spreads like tumbleweed, and disperses seeds a great distance. The root of a mature plant is a deep taproot and must be largely or completely removed to prevent sprouting. Approved herbicides may also prove to be effective. While its too late to eliminate invasive plants like spotted knapweed, vigilance will be needed to keep Gypsophila paniculata (Baby's Breath) from destroying our valuable coastal dunes. So far, this plant has not been found at Ludington State Park during plant surveys. This information was provided by Dave Dister. Some useful informational links are
http://friendsofsleepingbear.org/w_baby's_ breath.htm
http://www.nps.gov/slbe/naturescience/upload/babysbreath.pdf
