There are about 35 species in this genus of
flowering plants in the carnation family.
The come from many areas of the world
including
Eurasia,
Africa,
Australia and the
Pacific Islands.
This
genus consists of both annual and perennial
species with small, opposite leaves that bear
small white to pink flowers on many branches.
The name comes from the Greek words of gypsum,
gypsos, and loving, philios, since
they come from areas with these types of soils.