Hoary Alyssum

Common Name: Hoary Alyssum Scientific Name: Berteroa incana Habitat: roadsides, disturbed areas, grassland, dry grassland Provincial Designation: Prohibited Noxious Prohibited Noxious weeds are plant species that are designated as "prohibited noxious" in the Alberta weed regulation. Prohibited noxious weeds must be destroyed, meaning all growing parts need to be killed or the plant's reproductive mechanisms need to be rendered non-viable.

Origin

Hoary alyssum is native to Eurasia and was most likely introduced to North America in the late 1800s as a seed contaminant.

Legislated Because

It is invasive in open grassland and can become a problem in rangelands. It is toxic to horses.

Description

Hoary alyssum's flowers are arranged in round clusters, are small, white, and have four deeply notched petals.

The sessile leaves are grey-green in colour, covered with star-shaped hairs, and are alternately arranged along the stem.

The fruits are flat, elliptical and covered in hairs.

The stem can reach 30-90 cm tall and is also covered with star-shaped hairs.

Learn more about this species:

SeeFact Sheets - Alberta Invasive Species Council