ALYSSUM SICULUM

Family and Genus:- See- CRUCIFERAE/Sect. ALYSSUM

Common Name:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Alyssum (Gr) Pacifier, ancient Greek name meaning without-fury -

alluding to the supposed medicinal properties against rabies.

Siculum (L) From Sicily, Sicilian.

General description:- Grey-green annual.

Stems:-

1) Few to several, ascending, unbranched usually 3-8 cm.

Leaves:-

1) Oblong-obovate to oblong-lanceolate; with appressed, c 16-rayed stellate hairs.

Flowers:-

1) Raceme, elongate in fruit.

2) Pedicels, and silicula with only stellate hairs.

3) Style, pubescent 0·5-0·8 mm.

4) Sepals, 1·5-2·5 mm, deciduous.

5) Petals 2-3·5 mm, attenuate towards the base, entire to emarginate.

6) Filaments, of the short stamens with appendages ½ as long as the filament.

7) Nectaries, 0·3-0·6 mm.

Fruit:-

1) Silicula, 3·5-6 mm, suborbicular, pubescent; valves inflated, with flattened

margin. 2) Seeds, 1·7-2 mm; wing up to 0·4 mm wide.

Key features:-

1) Sepals persistent until the fruits are fully ripe.

Click here for a glossary of terms used.

Habitat:- Scree and gravel, rocky slopes and pastures, mainly on limestone. (400-)

1000-1700 m.

Distribution:- Mainland Greece and Peloponnisos from S Pindos to Mt Taigetos. -

restricted to Sicily and Greece. On Crete confined to the four main massifs.

Flowering time:- May-June.

Photo by:- Francesco Russo