SWEET ALYSSUM

also called Sweet Alison (Lobularia maritima; Alyssum maritimum of some authorities), low, matting, short-lived perennial herb of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), native to the Mediterranean region. Sweet alyssum is widely grown for its honey-sweet, small, clustered, white, four-petaled flowers. The narrow, gray-green leaves are untoothed and usually bear many silvery hairs. The flowering stalks rise to 30 cm (about 1 foot), with the small, round seedpods developing on the stems below the flower heads. There are horticultural forms with lavender, pink, or purple flowers.