Practical
Plants

Lobularia maritima

Sweet Alyssum

an annual or perennial member of the Lobularia genus in the family Brassicaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
annual, perennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
0.15 m
Spread
0.25 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The young leaves, stems and flowers are sometimes used as a flavouring in salads and other dishes where pungency is required[3].

Product or use
Condiment

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is commonly used in Spain as an antiscorbutic and diuretic[6]. It is also highly esteemed there as an astringent in the treatment of gonorrhoea[6].

Product or use
Antiscorbutic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diuretic

Environment

Range
Europe - Mediterranean. Naturalized in Britain.
Habitat
Dry sunny places in the Mediterranean[9]. Grows by the coast in Britain[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - it can be sown in situ during mid to late spring and should germinate within 2 weeks[5]. Seedlings can be transplanted. In order to obtain an earlier display of the flowers, the seed can be sown in a greenhouse in late winter. When large enough to handle, the seedlings are pricked out into individual pots and are then planted out in late spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[5]. Succeeds in sandy soils[4]. Grows well on dry walls[1]. Tolerates maritime conditions[5]. Although a short-lived perennial, it soon loses its compact habit if grown for more than one year and so is usually grown as an annual plant in gardens[7]. A very ornamental plant, there are several named forms developed for their ornamental value. This species usually self-sows in the garden if growing in a good position[1]. A fast-growing plant[4], it makes a good edging to a plant bed[7]. The forms of this species with white flowers have the refreshing scent of new-mown hay - flowers of other colours having little or no scent[7]. A good bee and butterfly plant[2][8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩

  4. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  7. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  8. Carter D. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-330-26642-x

    ↩

  9. ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964-00-00

    ↩

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