Lobularia maritima Sweet Alyssum PFAF Plant Database

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Lobularia maritima - (L.)Desv.

Common Name

Sweet Alyssum

Family

Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

Synonyms

Alyssum maritimum. Clypeola maritima.

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Dry sunny places in the Mediterranean[50]. Grows by the coast in Britain[17].

Range

Europe - Mediterranean. Naturalized in Britain.

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Lobularia maritima is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone 7. It is in leaf 10-Apr It is in flower from Jun to October, and the seeds ripen from Jul to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.The plant is not self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/28747427@N08/3557069668/

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lobularia_maritima.jpg

Habitats
Cultivated Beds; South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Condiment. The young leaves, stems and flowers are sometimes used as a flavouring in salads and other dishes where pungency is required[183].

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. Antiscorbutic; Astringent; Diuretic. The plant is commonly used in Spain as an antiscorbutic and diuretic[240]. It is also highly esteemed there as an astringent in the treatment of gonorrhoea[240].

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details

Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[200]. Succeeds in sandy soils[188]. Grows well on dry walls[1]. Tolerates maritime conditions[200]. Although a short-lived perennial, it soon loses its compact habit if grown for more than one year and so is usually grown as an annual plant in gardens[245]. A very ornamental plant, there are several named forms developed for their ornamental value. This species usually self-sows in the garden if growing in a good position[1]. A fast-growing plant[188], it makes a good edging to a plant bed[245]. The forms of this species with white flowers have the refreshing scent of new-mown hay - flowers of other colours having little or no scent[245]. A good bee and butterfly plant[17, 30].

Propagation
Seed - it can be sown in situ during mid to late spring and should germinate within 2 weeks[200]. Seedlings can be transplanted. In order to obtain an earlier display of the flowers, the seed can be sown in a greenhouse in late winter. When large enough to handle, the seedlings are pricked out into individual pots and are then planted out in late spring.

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Expert comment

Author
(L.)Desv.

Botanical References
1750200

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[17]Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles.

A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[30]Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe.

An excellent book on Lepidoptera, it also lists their favourite food plants.

[50]? Flora Europaea

An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.

[183]Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants.

Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[188]Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers

Excellent range of photographs, some cultivation details but very little information on plant uses.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[240]Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).

Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

[245]Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World.

An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
	Thu Dec 30 07:24:22 2004

This plant is found in Malta/Mediterranean basin/Europe

More comprehensive details, medicinal properties, uses, botanical data, plant description and photogallery of high resolutions photos of this plant can be seen on an interesting website about the wild plants of Malta: www.maltawildplants.com

Link: Malta Wild Plants Website and photography by Stephen Mifsud, Malta.

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