Alyssum (genus)

Plant Characteristics

Cultivation

Scientific Names

Brassicaceae >

Alyssum >

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Alyssum is a genus of about 100-170 species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean region.

The genus comprises annual and perennial herbaceous plants or (rarely) small shrubs, growing to 10–100 cm tall, with oblong-oval leaves and yellow or white flowers (pink to purple in a few species).

The genera Lobularia and Aurinia are closely related to Alyssum and were formerly included in it. The widely cultivated species popularly known as "Sweet Alyssum" is Lobularia maritima. The common rockery plant is Aurinia saxatilis.

Read about Alyssum (genus) in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture

Alyssum (classical name). Cruciferae. Low plants with many small clustered flowers, grown in the open and often used in rock-gardens. Plants branching, often tufted: fls. white or yellow, sometimes varying to rose; filaments often notched: fr. a small orbicular pod, with 1 or 2 wingless seeds in each of the 2 compartments; valves of pod nerveless, flattened at the margins.—As many as 100 species in middle Eu., Medit. region and the Caucasus. The sweet alyssum is one of the commonest annuals, grown both in the open and forced in benches, beds or pots. It is of the easiest culture, either indoors or out. The compact varieties are most prized for pot culture. Under glass, it requires temperature of a carnation house. It will stand considerable frost in the open, and may be sown early; it blooms all summer, and until killed by winter. Useful for window-gardens and baskets. For winter bloom, sow seeds late in August or in September. When blooms begin to fail, cut back the plant, and it will bloom again. The perennial alyssums require no special treatment. They are usually propagated by dividing the roots; also by cuttings and seeds. Many other species of alyssum are likely to be found in choice rock-garden collections. A. alpestre. Linn. 3 in., grayish: fls. yellow, in simple raceme.—A. atlánticum, Desf.-A. montanum.—-?. Bertholonii, Desv.-A. argenteum.—A. cuneifolium, Tenore-A. montanum.—A dasycarpum, Steph. Annual: fls. yellow.—A. diffùsum, Tenore-A. montanum.—A. mocrocarpum, DC. Shrubby, somewhat spiny, 8 in.: Lvs. oblong, silvery: fls. white.—A. orientale, Ard. 1 ft.: Lvs. lanceolate, toothed, downy: fls. yellow, in corymbs.—A. tortuosum, Rupr. 6 in., at. twisted: lvs. narrow, hoary: fls. yellow, in corymbs. The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.

Cultivation

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Propagation

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Pests and diseases

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Species

Selected species

Alyssum alpestre Alyssum alyssoides Alyssum arenarium Alyssum argenteum Alyssum atlanticum Alyssum baeticum Alyssum bertolonii Alyssum borzaeanum Alyssum cadevallianum Alyssum caliacrae Alyssum calycocarpum Alyssum canescens Alyssum corsicum Alyssum corymbosoides Alyssum cuneifolium Alyssum dasycarpum Alyssum densistellatum Alyssum desertorum Alyssum diffusum Alyssum doerfleri Alyssum euboeum Alyssum fallacinum Alyssum fastigiatum Alyssum fedtschenkoanum Alyssum fischeranum Alyssum foliosum Alyssum fragillimum Alyssum fulvescens Alyssum granatense

Alyssum gustavssonii Alyssum handelii Alyssum heldreichii Alyssum heterotrichum Alyssum hirsutum Alyssum homalocarpum Alyssum idaeum Alyssum lanceolatum Alyssum lapeyrousianum Alyssum lassiticum Alyssum lenense Alyssum ligusticum Alyssum linifolium Alyssum longicaule Alyssum longistylum Alyssum macrocarpum Alyssum marginatum Alyssum markgrafii Alyssum minus Alyssum minutum Alyssum moellendorfianum Alyssum montanum Alyssum murale Alyssum nebrodense Alyssum nevadense Alyssum obovatum Alyssum obtusifolium Alyssum ovirense

Alyssum pulvinare Alyssum purpureum Alyssum pyrenaicum Alyssum repens Alyssum reverchonii Alyssum robertianum Alyssum rostratum Alyssum scardicum Alyssum serpyllifolium Alyssum sibiricum Alyssum siculum Alyssum simplex Alyssum smolikanum Alyssum smyrnaeum Alyssum sphacioticum Alyssum spinosum Alyssum stapfii Alyssum stribrnyi Alyssum szowitsianum Alyssum tavolarae Alyssum taygeteum Alyssum tenium Alyssum tenuifolium Alyssum tortuosum Alyssum turkestanicum Alyssum umbellatum Alyssum wierzbickii Alyssum wulfenianum

Gallery

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  Alyssum allyssoides

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  Alyssum murale

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External links

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