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Hoary Alyssum Berteroa incana

Phonetic Spelling
ber-TER-oh-a in-KAN-nuh
Description

Hoary Alyssum is a biennial that can be a shortlived perennial or annual wildflower in the mustard family.  It is native to Europe and Asia and has delicate white blooms that appear in clusters in mid-spring through early fall. It is found in much of the USA except the southern states. Hoary Alyssum is listed as a noxious weed in 46 states.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  It can be weedy and is often found in dry disturbed areas.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#seeds#short lifespan#problem for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#annual#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#white flowers#seeds#short lifespan#problem for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#annual#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Berteroa
    Species:
    incana
    Family:
    Brassicaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Biennial
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe, China
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a round, flat pod ¼ inch long with the style persistent at the tip and contains many seeds. They are spaced along the length of the elongated branching stems.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Long racemes of small 4 petaled flowers with 6 yellow-green stamens. The petals are deeply lobed giving the impression of 8 petals. Clusters are 1-2 inches across. Blooms until frost.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Velvety
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Oblanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    1½ to 3 inches long, up to ½ inch wide, toothless, alternate leaves have a pointed or blunt tip and are stalkless. The dense star-shaped hairs give them a grayish-green color. Young plants have a basal rosette of leaves that typically wither away by flowering time. Basal leaves are hairy, oblanceolate and up to 3 inches long with smooth to slightly wavy margins and long stalks
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Single or multi-stem densley hairy.
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy