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Common Name: Sweet Alyssum

General Information

Lobularia maritima is a Annual/Perennial up to 0.15 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

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Range

Europe - Mediterranean. Naturalized in Britain.

Habitat

Dry sunny places in the Mediterranean[]. Grows by the coast in Britain[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	0.15 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in an ordinary garden soil in a sunny position[]. Succeeds in sandy soils[]. Grows well on dry walls[]. Tolerates maritime conditions[].
Although a short-lived perennial, it soon loses its compact habit if grown for more than one year and so is usually grown as an annual plant in gardens[].
A very ornamental plant, there are several named forms developed for their ornamental value. This species usually self-sows in the garden if growing in a good position[]. A fast-growing plant[], it makes a good edging to a plant bed[]. The forms of this species with white flowers have the refreshing scent of new-mown hay - flowers of other colours having little or no scent[].
A good bee and butterfly plant[, ].

Edible Uses

The young leaves, stems and flowers are sometimes used as a flavouring in salads and other dishes where pungency is required[].

Medicinal

The plant is commonly used in Spain as an antiscorbutic and diuretic[]. It is also highly esteemed there as an astringent in the treatment of gonorrhoea[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - it can be sown in situ during mid to late spring and should germinate within 2 weeks[]. Seedlings can be transplanted.
In order to obtain an earlier display of the flowers, the seed can be sown in a greenhouse in late winter. When large enough to handle, the seedlings are pricked out into individual pots and are then planted out in late spring.