HOARY ALYSSUM, Berteroa incana (L.) DC. 1, 2, seed; 3, seed pod; 4, seed pod split open; 5, upper part of flowering plant; 6, flower; 7, stem; 8, lower part of plant. Annual, biennial, or perennial, reproducing by seeds. The name "hoary" indicates many rough hairs on stems, leaves, and seed pods. Stems gray-green, hairy, 1 to 3 feet (30 to 90 cm) tall, with many branches near the top. Leaves gray-green, hairy, alternate, oblong, narrow, 1/2 to 3 inches (1.3 to 7.5 cm) long, with smooth edges. Flowers white, with 4 deeply divided petals, produced in long raceme. Seed pods hairy, swollen, oblong with short beak on the end. Seeds oblong, rough, dull gray-brown. Found in meadows, pastures, and waste places. Emerges early in the year, continues to grow throughout season, producing seeds until frost.