Hoary Alyssum

Plant Info

Also known as:	Hoary False Madwort
Scientific name:	Berteroa incana
Family:	Mustard (Brassicaceae)
Life cycle:	annual
Origin:	Europe
Habitat:	sun; dry fields, along roads, waste/d
Bloom season:	summer, fall
Plant height:	1 to 3 feet
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park

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Detailed Information

Flower:

Rounded cluster 1 to 2 inches across of ¼-inch white flowers with yellow centers. Individual flowers have 4 petals, notched so they may look like 8.

Leaves:

Leaves are covered in fine white hairs, alternately attached at the stem with no leaf-stalk. They average 2 to 3 inches long and ½ inch wide and are rounded on the ends.

Fruit:

Many round, flat pods, ¼ inch long, close to the stem on the upper part of the plant.

Notes:

Hoary Alyssum is on the noxious weed list for Minnesota

More photos

• a patch of Hoary Alyssum in a field

More white wildflowers. All photos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN, September 2006.

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?

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Please: Do not ask about where to buy seed or other gardening questions, are plants edible, etc. I am not a horticulturist or botanist, just an enthusiastic hobbyist so I probably don't know the answer. Please check the links page for additional resources. -thanks much

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