BERBERIDACEAE -- Barberry Family - New Mexico Flores

Scientific Name:
Alyssum minus
Size:
10 - 25 cm
BRASSICACEAE -- Mustard Family
Description:
Annual herb, stems curving upward from the
base or erect. Herbage densely covered with
star-shaped hairs. Leaves alternate, spatulate to
oblanceolate, 5 - 20 mm long, 2 - 7 mm wide,
with smooth edges, tapering to the base.
Flowers perfect, on stalks 3 - 5 mm long, in a
dense cluster at stem end (sometimes in leaf
axils), the stalks elongating in fruit. Sepals 4,
about 2 mm long. Petals 4, 3 - 4 mm long,
notched at the apex. Stamens 6, 4 of equal
length, 2 shorter. Style 1, stigma headlike.
Fruit a thin lens-shaped pod, divided into 2
compartments by a thin membrane, the pod
notched at the apex and bearing a persistent
style.
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Common Name:
Small alyssum, field alyssum
Color:
Yellow
Notes:
The genus name Alyssum translates from Greek
as “without madness”. The plants were thought
to cure rabies. Alyssum is indigenous to
Eurasia. Several species have been naturalized
in the United States, some as garden
ornamentals, others as weeds. Alyssum minus
was first reported in New Mexico in 1986. It
has spread considerably and is now becoming
common in the Manzanos. It blooms from April
into July between 5000 and 7500 ft.
Introduced*