hoary alyssum
(Berteroa incana)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Appearance
Berteroa incana is an annual, biennial, or perennial in the mustard family growing 1-3 ft. (0.3-0.9 m) tall.
Foliage
Stems are gray-green and hairy with many branches near the top. Alternate leaves are gray-green, hairy, alternate, oblong, narrow, 0.5-3 in. (1.3-7.6 cm) long, with smooth edges.
Flowers
White flowers with 4 deeply divided petals are produced in long raceme.
Fruit
Seed pods are hairy, swollen, and oblong with short beaks on the end. Oblong seeds are rough, dull gray-brown. It reproduces and spreads by seeds.
Ecological Threat
Spreads rapidly due to the high number of seeds per plant. The plant emerges early in spring and continues to flower and produce seed until frost. It can cause toxicity to horses.
Berteroa incana is an annual, biennial, or perennial in the mustard family growing 1-3 ft. (0.3-0.9 m) tall.
Foliage
Stems are gray-green and hairy with many branches near the top. Alternate leaves are gray-green, hairy, alternate, oblong, narrow, 0.5-3 in. (1.3-7.6 cm) long, with smooth edges.
Flowers
White flowers with 4 deeply divided petals are produced in long raceme.
Fruit
Seed pods are hairy, swollen, and oblong with short beaks on the end. Oblong seeds are rough, dull gray-brown. It reproduces and spreads by seeds.
Ecological Threat
Spreads rapidly due to the high number of seeds per plant. The plant emerges early in spring and continues to flower and produce seed until frost. It can cause toxicity to horses.
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Alberta Weed Control Act
- California Invasive Plant Council
- California Noxious Weeds
- Idaho Noxious Weeds
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- Michigan Noxious Weeds
- Montana Noxious Weeds
- Oregon Noxious Weeds
- Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
- Washington Noxious Weeds
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Rosanae |
| Order: Brassicales |
| Family: Brassicaceae |
| Genus: Berteroa |
| Berteroa incana |
Other System Links
Plants: BEIN2
Bayer: BEFIN
GRIN: 7021
ITIS: 23052
NPDN Pest: PBKAEBA
NPDN Host: 36330
References
Common Name Reference: Weed Science Society of America Common Names List
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.