40 THE CRUCIFER FAMILY. _[Alyssum. 
teeth, Pod sessile within the calyx, orbicular or oval, the partition broad, 
the valves convex, and not veined. Seeds 1 to 4, or very rarely more, in 
each cell. Radicle accumbent on the edge of the cotyledons. 
An extensive genus, ranging over Europe and northern Asia, and toler- 
ably natural, distinguished from Draba chiefly by the short few-seeded pod, 
with more convex valves, or by the appendages to the base of the filaments, 
one or other of these characters being observable in all the species. They 
have also usually a stiffer, more leafy habit, and even the annuals often look 
woody. 
Sepals persisting round the pod. Petals minute, yellowish-white. 
Seeds 2ineachcell . . L. A, calycinum, 
Sepals falling off after flowering. Petals spreading, pure white, 
Seeds lineachcell . » 2 A. maritimum, 
The A. incanum, often Nenana as a genus aaa the name of Berteroa, 
having longer pods with more seeds, a common annual in central and 
eastern Europe, is said to have been occasionally found near Lewes and 
near Weymouth, but does not appear to be permanently established. The 
yellow-flowered A. saxatile, from southern Europe, is among the perennials 
long established in our rock-gardens. 
1. &. calycinum, Linn. (fig. 86.) Small Alyssum.—A small hard 
annual, often simple, 3 or 4 inches high, or, when very luxuriant, branching 
at the base, and 6 inches high. Leaves oblong-linear, much narrowed at 
the base. Petals inconspicuous, of a pale yellow. Pods in a long raceme, 
on short pedicels, nearly orbicular, the narrow herbaceous sepals persisting 
round them till they are ripe. The filaments of the shorter stamens have 
each a small fine tooth or appendage at their base. 
In waste places, dry pastures, on the edges of fields, ete., in central and 
southern Europe, from Sweden to the Caucasus. In Britain, recently found 
in a few localities in England, Ireland, and southern Scotland. Fl. spring 
and early summer. 
2. 4.maritimum, Linn. (fig. 87.) Sweet Alyssum.—A hard annual 
or perennial, with much-branched procumbent or ascending stems, from 4 
or 5 inches to near a foot long. Leaves narrow-lanceolate or linear, 
narrowed at the base, or stalked. Flowers white, with a honey scent, 
rather small, but the petals obovate, spreading, and conspicuous. Pods 
orbicular or slightly oval, with only one seed in each cell; the calyx 
See The filaments are without appendages, Keniga maritima, 
r 
In waste places and dry pastures, chiefly near the sea; very abundant 
round the Mediterranean. Much cultivated in our flower-gardens, and 
sowing itself readily, it has become more or less established as a weed of 
cultivation in some parts of ery Fil. all summer. 
XIV. DRABA. DRABA. 
Small annuals or perennials, usual hairy or hoary with sprenciing or 
tufted radical leaves, entire or toothed, the stem-leaves few or none. 
Flowers white or yellow. Filaments of the stamens without appendages. 
Pod oblong or elliptical, from one and a half to near three times as long as 
broad, more or less flattened ; the partition broad ; the valves flat or convex, 
their midrib usually distinct. Seeds several in each cell. Radicle accum- 
bent on the edge of the cotyledons. 
