Description
Alyssum oxycarpum
A compact, mound or cushion forming plant with small grey leaves & many tiny yellow flowers held in racemes.
Alyssum
The name Alyssum is derived from the greek ‘a’ – without and lyssa meaning rage. Given its common name of madwort or Heal Bite this term might allude to the fact that Alyssum had a reputation for allaying anger possibly rabies.
Alyssum is a large genus in the cabbage family with 168 species from a wide range of habitats from Europe, Asia and North Africa but all of which share a dry or stony environment to which Alyssum is well adapted.
Given good drainage and slightly impoverished conditions most are extremely hardy.
Alyssum benefits from a trim immediately after flowering to remove dead flowers and keep the plant compact and rejuvenated.
Common Name: madwort
Family: Brassicaceae
Flowers: April-June
Height: 5cm
Spread: 20cm
Position: Well drained,sunny position
Use: Rock garden,trough,crevice or walls
