Alyssum Carpet Of Snow Scientific Name

This widely grown garden ornamental has escaped cultivation and is now a weed of parks footpaths roadsides waste areas disturbed sites and coastal environs in southern and eastern australia.

Alyssum carpet of snow scientific name.

The name alyssum comes from the greek without madness the name stuck. The low growing foliage covers the ground with tiny cross shaped four petal flowers for much of the growing season. Its gray green leaves are slightly hairy narrow and lance shaped. This variant of sweet alyssum is named carpet of snow due to its lower stature of 3 to 6 inches at maturity and its white flowers.

Sweet alyssum was used centuries ago in the mediterranean where it is native to treat bites from rabid animals. Alyssum carpet of snow genus. Alyssum is native to southern europe france portugal spain italy albania and greece northern africa northern algeria egypt northern libya morocco and tunisia the azores the madeira islands and the canary islands. This flower works well for either borders or pot fillers and will thrive in most yards.

Sweet alyssum quick facts. Sweet alyssum is low lying averaging about 6 inches tall but ranging from 2 to 12 inches in height. Variety or cultivar carpet of snow carpet of snow is a compact mat forming annual with green leaves smothered in tiny white softly scented flowers in summer until the frost. Alyssum maritima procumbens carpet of snow other names.

Alyssum lobularia maritima is regarded as an emerging environmental weed in tasmania and as a potential environmental weed in other parts of southern australia. Sweet alyssum is a flower that is native to southern europe and is also commonly referred to as sweet alice.