IDENTIFICATION
Regional Noxious. Biennial (rarely perennial).
Hoary alyssum grows to 0.7 m and has white flowers carried on long
slender stalks. Oval seedpods are flattened and held close to the stem.
Leaves are grey-green in colour. Upper leaves are small and also clasped
close to the stem. The entire plant is covered in star-shaped hairs.
DAMAGE
Hoary alyssum tends to increase in forage crops following drought
or winterkill. Horses consuming this plant may be troubled with fever,
limb edema, and laminitis.
HABITAT
Most common on sandy or gravelly soils, hoary alyssum establishes
in dry, disturbed habitats, such as roadsides and railway embankments.
It is also found on meadows, pastures, and hayfields. It occurs in south
central and southeastern BC in the Okanagan, Thompson, and Kootenay agricultural
regions.
SPREAD
It is spread by seed. The plant emerges early in spring and continues
to flower and produce seed until frost.
