54 FLOWERS OF GARDEN AND GREENHOUSE 
Pods short, variable in form. The species are chiefly from Europe and 
the Mediterranean region. 
Alyssum spinosa appears to have been introduced 
History. f rom g ou th Europe in 1683 as a curious greenhouse plant 
on account of the thorny character of its old wood and its flower-stalks. 
A. maritimum appears to have been cultivated at an early date, for it 
has become thoroughly naturalised in waste places near the sea in 
England and the Channel Islands. A. olympicum came from Northern 
Greece in 1700, and ten years later the well-known A. saxatile was 
introduced from South-East Europe; A. montanum from Germany in 
1713, and A. calycinum from Austria in 1720. This last species is 
found occasionally about cultivated fields in this country. A. alpestre 
came from South Europe in 1777. A considerable number of other 
forms have been introduced during the present century, but those 
mentioned are the principal ones in cultivation. 
species Alyssum alpestre (alpine). 3 inches high; a yellow- 
P ° eS ' flowered, shrubby-based, greyish-hoary perennial, forming 
neat little tufts and flowering in June. Leaves egg-shaped. 
A. atlanticum (atlantic). 3 to 12 inches; yellow-flowered, shrubby- 
based, erect. Leaves, lance-shaped, velvety hoary; flowers May and 
June. Perennial. 
A. macrocarpum (large-fruited). 8 inches; white-flowered, shrubby, 
spiny-branched. Leaves oblong, silvery white; flowers May to July- 
Perennial. 
A maritimum (maritime). Sweet Alyssum. 6 to 9 inches; 
white-flowered, with wiry, much-branched trailing stems and very 
narrow lance-shaped leaves. There is a pretty form with the green 
leaves streaked yellow. Flowers, sweet scented; May to July or July 
to September, according to period of sowing. Frequently named 
Kceniga maritima . Anuual or perennial. 
A. montanum (mountain). 2 or 3 inches ; yellow-flowered, scented, 
somewhat glaucous; leaves oval (lower) or oblong (upper), downy > 
flowers May to July. Perennial. 
A. olympicum (Olympian). 2 to 3 inches; deep yellow flowers; 
leaves small, greyish, spoon-shaped ; June to August. Perennial 
A orientals (eastern). 12 inches; yellow-flowered, somewhat 
shrubby at the base, leaves lance-shaped, downy, waved, with distant 
teeth; May. Perennial 
A saxatile (living among rocks). Gold Dust. 12 inches; yellow- 
flowered, shrubby, branched. Leaves lance-shaped, hoary; flowers, 
brilliant; May. Perennial. Plate 25. 
