43 Crucifera—A lyssum. 
7, ALYSSUM. 
Annuals or dwarf branching shrubby perennials, often clothed 
with hoary stellate hairs. Leaves distant, or the radical ones 
tufted, usually entire. Flowers small, wh‘te 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 4a, privative, 
and Avoca, madness, in allusion to the fabulous properties 
attributed to the species ; hence the English Madwort. 
1. A. sawvdtile (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. (4 nat. size.) 
a foot high, with close corymbs of small flowers. One of our 
handsomest early Spring flowers. A. Gemonénse 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. Noniga 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. 
