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Hoary alyssum

How to identify Hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana)

Hoary alyssum, also known as Hoary berteroa

Hoary alyssum is characterized by its grey-green foliage covered with fine, dense hairs giving it a silvery appearance. The plant typically stands 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) tall, with slender, branched stems. Its leaves are lance-shaped, measuring up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long. Distinctive white flowers, each with four petals, are clustered at the top of the stems, blooming profusely. The flower clusters create a frothy, delicate display and are in peak bloom from mid-spring through early fall.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Annual, Perennial, Biennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Hoary alyssum

1

Silvery grey-green foliage due to dense hairs.

2

Racemes of white flowers with 4 deeply lobed petals.

3

Round, flat siliques with persistent style, pale in color.

4

Densely hairy, woolly stems, ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 inches.

5

Toothless, alternate leaves with star-shaped hairs, 1-3 inches long.

Hoary alyssumHoary alyssumHoary alyssumHoary alyssumHoary alyssum

Detailed Traits of Hoary alyssum

Leaf Features

The leaves of hoary alyssum are 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 cm) long and up to 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) wide. They are toothless, alternate, with a pointed or blunt tip, and are stalkless. The dense star-shaped hairs give the leaves a grayish-green color. Young plants feature a basal rosette with hairy, oblanceolate leaves up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) long, with smooth to slightly wavy margins and long stalks. These basal leaves typically wither by flowering time.

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Flower Features

Hoary alyssum features long racemes of small, white, 4-petaled flowers, each with 6 yellow-green stamens. The petals are deeply lobed, giving the impression of 8 petals. Flower clusters measure 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across and bloom from summer until frost.

Hoary alyssum Flower image
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Stem Features

The stem of hoary alyssum is characterized by its densely hairy texture, which gives it a woolly appearance. It is typically slender but may exhibit varying thicknesses, ranging from 0.1 to 0.3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 mm). The stems can be single or multiple, often branching out from the base. They are generally green but may have subtle grayish undertones due to the hairiness. The texture and dense hair facilitate identification, providing a distinct visual and tactile characteristic.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of hoary alyssum is a round, flat silique roughly 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) in length, marked by the persistent style at its apex. This seed pod houses multiple seeds within its compartment, securely enclosed until maturity. The siliques are distributed along the elongated, branching stems, giving them space to develop. They typically display a pale coloration consistent with the grayish hues of the plant, adding to its distinctive appearance.

Hoary alyssum Fruit image
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Key Facts About Hoary alyssum

Attributes of Hoary alyssum
Lifespan
Annual, Perennial, Biennial
Plant Type
Herb
Plant Height
80 cm
Spread
80 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Silver
Blue
Gray
Flower Size
2.5 cm
Flower Color
White
Fruit Color
Green
The Toxicity of Hoary alyssum
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Scientific Classification of Hoary alyssum

Species
Hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana)
Learn More About the Hoary alyssum

Distribution Map of Hoary alyssum

Hoary alyssum is native to a wide range in the temperate regions of Eurasia, specifically in certain parts of central, eastern, and northern Europe, as well as parts of western and central Asia. Additionally, it has been introduced to various parts of northern and western Europe, where it has become naturalized.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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