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.