CANDYTUFT

any of 30 species of Eurasian plants of the genus Iberis, of the mustard family (Brassicaceae). Most species are native to the Mediterranean region. Globe candytuft (I. umbellata), widely grown garden annual native to southern Europe, bears flat clusters of pink, violet, white, purple, or red flowers in late summer. The plants are 40 centimetres (16 inches) tall and have long, narrow leaves and roundish seedpods. Rocket candytuft (I. amara) has thick, deeply lobed leaves and large, white, often pink-tinged, fragrant flowers on 22-cm stalks. It grows on chalky hills and in fields. Two matting, evergreen perennials with white flowers are I. saxatilis and the larger edging candytuft (I. sempervirens), both from open areas in southern Europe and widely planted in gardens.