Alyssum


Alyssum is a genus of over a hundred species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, native to temperate Europe, Asia, and northern Africa, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean region. The genus comprises annual and perennial herbaceous plants or small shrubs, growing to 10–100 cm tall, with oblong-oval leaves. Alyssum flowers are characteristically small and grouped in terminal clusters; they are often yellow or white colored but can be pink or purple.
The genera Lobularia, Aurinia and Odontarrhena 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.
Alyssum foliage is used as food by the caterpillars of certain Lepidoptera, including the Gem. However, rabbits will not eat it.

Species

Accepted

The following is a list of accepted species. Unless noted otherwise, it follows AlyBase. An asterisk indicates provisionally accepted names. Plants of the [World Online] accepts 115 species. Species and synonyms accepted by PoWO but not by AlyBase are so noted.

Formerly included

The following names are listed by World Flora Online as accepted, but in AlyBase have either been assigned to different genera or have been reduced to synonymy. A question mark indicates doubtful synonyms or species names with unresolved taxonomic status.