Spreading perennial to about 20 cm tall, generally grown as an annual. Leaves linear to narrowly oblanceolate, 2-4 cm long, entire. Flowers in a terminal cluster, numerous, fragrant, on short thin stalks, sometimes double, persisting for a long time, petals 3-4 mm long, colours variable; mostly late winter and spring. Fruit a silicula less than 5 mm long, flat­tened, hairy. [Alyssum maritimum (L.) Lam.]

S Europe

A variable, commonly grown bedding plant with many cultivars having flowers ranging in colour from white through to pink and violet.

An occasional garden escape, especially in coastal areas.

Source: Spencer, R. (1997). Brassicaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 2. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 1. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.