Lobularia

This article is about the genus of flowering plant. For the leathery coral genus, see Lobularia (coral).

Lobularia
File:Alyssum (Lobularia maritima).jpg
Lobularia maritima
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Brassicales
Family:	Brassicaceae
Genus:	Lobularia Desv.
Species
See text

Lobularia is a genus of five species of flowering plants in the family Brassicaceae, closely related to (and formerly often included in) the genus Alyssum. The genus is native to Macaronesia and the Mediterranean region, and comprises annuals and perennials growing to 10–40 cm (4–16 in) tall, with hairy oblong-oval leaves and clusters of cross-shaped (cruciform), fragrant white flowers.

The name Lobularia derives from the Greek for a small pod, referring to the fruits.

Selected species

• Lobularia canariensis
• Lobularia libyca
• Lobularia intermedia (syn. L. canariensis subsp. intermedia)
• Lobularia marginata (syn. L. canariensis subsp. marginata)
• Lobularia maritima

Cultivation and uses

Lobularia maritima (sweet alyssum; syn. Alyssum maritimum) is a very popular garden plant; it has become widely naturalised throughout the temperate world.

External links

• Lobularia canariensis (in Spanish; photo)
• Lobularia lybica (in Spanish; photo)