4 8 Crucifercz A fyssum. 



7. AKfSSUM. 



Annuals or dwarf branching shrubby perennials, often clothed 

 with hoary stellate hairs. Leaves distant, or the radical ones 

 tufted, usually entire. Flowers small, whvte or yellow. Sepals 

 equal. Petals entire or bifid. Filaments sometimes appen- 

 diculate. Pods short, variable in shape ; seeds 2 to 10. About 

 ninety species are known, chiefly from the shores of the Medi- 

 terranean. The name is said to be derived from a, privative, 

 and Xucro-a, madness, in allusion to the fabulous properties 

 attributed to the species ; hence the English Madwort. 



1. A. saxdtile (fig. 37). A low shrubby branched peren- 

 nial with whitish foliage and flowers of the brightest yellow. 

 A common plant in cultivation, growing in dense tufts about 



Fig. 37. Alyssum saxatile. (J nat. size.) 



a foot high, with close corymbs of small flowers. One of our 

 handsomest early Spring flowers. A. Gemonense is closely allied 

 to this, and perhaps a variety of it, but it is a more vigorous and 

 larger plant altogether. South of Europe. 



2. A. maritimum, syn. Konlga maritima. A much-branched 

 procumbent plant with slender wiry branches, less than a 

 foot high, and small linear-lanceolate leaves, and small white 

 flowers. The variegated form is very pretty, and extensively 

 employed for edging, etc. Europe, Asia Minor. 



