yellowtuft
(Alyssum corsicum)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Appearance
Alyssum corsicum is a fast-growing perennial, reaching reproductive maturity within one or two years, and is fairly long-lived. It can grow up to 3.3 ft. (1 m) tall. A. corsicum is native to southern Europe.
Foliage
Leaves are somewhat rounded. Leaves have tiny hairs on them. Most of the plant’s leaves begin to drop when the flowers begin to bloom.
Flowers
It has small yellow flower petals and blooms from about May to July.
Fruit
Fruits are broadly elliptic to orbicular, 0.14 to 0.2 in. (3.5-5 mm) × 0.1 to 0.2 in. (2.5-5 mm), with the apex obtuse to rounded.
Ecological Threat
A. corsicum has the potential to crowd out and displace native plants including rare species. It can be found in pastures, fields, and waste areas. A. corsicum is a hyperaccumulator (plants that extract metals from the soil), sometimes used to remove heavy metals from contaminated sites. Hyperaccumulators are highly toxic, containing concentrations of their target metals far in excess of levels considered toxic to cattle, sheep, swine, and chickens.
Citation
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzländer. 2014. New Invaders of the Northwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/technology/pdfs/FHTET-2014-12_NW_New_Invaders.pdf
Alyssum corsicum is a fast-growing perennial, reaching reproductive maturity within one or two years, and is fairly long-lived. It can grow up to 3.3 ft. (1 m) tall. A. corsicum is native to southern Europe.
Foliage
Leaves are somewhat rounded. Leaves have tiny hairs on them. Most of the plant’s leaves begin to drop when the flowers begin to bloom.
Flowers
It has small yellow flower petals and blooms from about May to July.
Fruit
Fruits are broadly elliptic to orbicular, 0.14 to 0.2 in. (3.5-5 mm) × 0.1 to 0.2 in. (2.5-5 mm), with the apex obtuse to rounded.
Ecological Threat
A. corsicum has the potential to crowd out and displace native plants including rare species. It can be found in pastures, fields, and waste areas. A. corsicum is a hyperaccumulator (plants that extract metals from the soil), sometimes used to remove heavy metals from contaminated sites. Hyperaccumulators are highly toxic, containing concentrations of their target metals far in excess of levels considered toxic to cattle, sheep, swine, and chickens.
Citation
Winston, R.L., Andreas, J.E., Milan, J., DesCamp, W., Randell, C.B., and M. Schwarzländer. 2014. New Invaders of the Northwest. United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. FHTET-2014-12. Retrieved from https://www.fs.fed.us/foresthealth/technology/pdfs/FHTET-2014-12_NW_New_Invaders.pdf
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
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Rosanae |
| Order: Brassicales |
| Family: Brassicaceae |
| Genus: Alyssum |
| Alyssum corsicum |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.