XPale Madwort (Alyssum alyssoides)X
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Pale Madwort -or- Yellow Alyssum (Alyssum alyssoides), family Brassicaceae (Mustard)
Thanks to Dr. Matt Lavin, who recently corrected our identification of Alyssum desertorum, we were able to recognize this species. See the foliage slide for key characteristics. Quote: 'Alyssum alyssoides is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family known by several common names, including pale madwort and yellow alyssum. It is native to Eurasia, but it can be found throughout much of the temperate world as an introduced species and sometimes a common weed. WIKI names the species in the genus at 100-170. They are annual/biennial herbs.
TECHNICAL: This is a hairy annual or biennial herb producing stems which grow upright or lie along the ground to a maximum length of 30 to 40 centimeters. It produces white or cream-colored flowers with small petals a few millimeters long. The fruit is a hairy capsule up to half a centimeter long containing seeds which are winged and have an embryonic root already present.' End quote.
Flower -
Plant location: Photographed on May 12, 2009 while hiking the Bitterbrush Trail in Colorado. Though they are introduced plants, this species is now found throughout most of the U.S. Plant -
Bloom season: May through July, commonly. Note the heavy coat of hairs on the inset of the plant's fruits. This is diagnostic of the species. Each fruit contains two seeds. Foliage -
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