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hoary alyssum
Scientific Name: Berteroa incana
Family: Brassicaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Annual, Biennial, Perennial
Other Names:
Hoary Alyssum (Berteroa incana)
Hoary alyssum, scientifically known as Berteroa incana, is a plant that has garnered attention due to its potential toxicity to horses. This plant, also known as false hoary madwort, hoary false alyssum, hoary berteroa, and healbite, is a member of the mustard family (Brassicaceae).
Considerations for Pets
- Hoary alyssum is reported to be toxic to horses, potentially causing toxic symptoms. Several deaths of horses have been reported due to consumption of hay contaminated with this plant.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Berteroa incana (L.) DC.
- Synonym: Alyssum incanum
- Family: Brassicaceae (Mustard Family or Cruciferae)
- Other Names: Hoary false madwort, hoary false alyssum, hoary berteroa, healbite. Berteroa blanche, alysse.
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to Eurasia, hoary alyssum was likely introduced to North America as a seed contaminant in the late 1800s.
- It is now found across the northeastern and north-central United States and Canada, occurring in all Canadian provinces except Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island. Older reports mentioned its presence in Drumheller, Alberta, in 2006.
- In British Columbia, it is found in south-central and southeastern areas, including the Okanagan, Cariboo, Boundary, Thompson, and Kootenay regions.
- It commonly grows in pastures and hay fields.
Ecological Role
- Considered regionally noxious in some areas, such as under the BC Weed Control Act.
- It is designated as a Class "B" Noxious Weed south of Highway 20 in Ferry County.
- While it doesn't pose a threat to intact native grasslands, it can displace native species, particularly in dry prairies and sand areas.
- It is an invasive species that can grow in abundance in some areas, like the Okanagan Valley.
Morphological Characteristics
- Hoary alyssum is an annual, biennial, or short-lived perennial herb.
- It typically grows to a height of 1 to 3.5 feet (0.3-0.9 m).
- The plant is covered in stellate hairs, giving it a hoary (grayish-white) appearance.
- Flowers are small and white, with 4 deeply notched petals, arranged in 1 to 2-inch round clusters.
- Leaves are grey-green in color. Basal rosette leaves are oval or lance-shaped, three to five cm long. Stems are gray-green.
- It has a taproot.
Additional Information
- The USDA plant symbol for hoary alyssum is BEIN2.
- Hoary alyssum populations can be suppressed using 2,4-D applied at label rates, particularly when applied in the spring when plants are actively growing prior to seed production.