CRUCIPERiK. 



69 



Sepals falling off after flowering. Petals spreading, pure white. 



Seeds 1 in each cell 2. Sweet A. 



The A. incanum, often separated as a genus under the name of JBer- 

 teroa, 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 esta- 

 blished. The yellow-flowered A. saxatile, from southern Europe, is 

 among the perennials long established in our rock-gardens. 



1. Small Alyssum. Alyssum calycinuin, Linn. (Eig. 85.) 

 (Eng. Bot. Suppl. t. 2853.) 



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 nar- 

 row 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, etc., in central and south- 

 ern Europe, from Sweden to the Cau- 

 casus. In Britain, recently found in a 

 few localities in England, Ireland, and southern Scotland. 

 and early summer. 



Fig. 85. 



FL 



spring 



2. Sweet Alyssum. Alyssum maritimum, Linn. (Eig. 86.) 

 (Eng, Bot. t. 1729. Koniga, Brit. Fl.) 



A hard annual or perennial, with much-branched procumbent or 

 ascending stems, from 4 or 5 inches to near a foot long. Leaves nar- 

 row-lanceolate or linear, narrow at the base, or stalked. Flowers 

 white, with a honey scent, rather small, but the petals obovate, spread- 

 ing, and conspicuous. Pods orbicular or slightly oval, with only one 

 seed in each cell ; the calyx deciduous. The filaments are without 

 appendages. 



In waste places and dry pastures, chiefly near the sea ; very abun- 

 dant round the Mediterranean. Much cultivated in our flower-gar- 



