Identification and Reproduction

 Identification

• Annual to short-lived perennial, up to 80 cm tall. 
• Grows from a taproot
• Stems are covered in hairs and branch from the base. 
• Leaves are greenish-grey, slender with round tips and arranged alternately. Leaves will decrease in size moving closer to the stem tip. 
• Can over-winter as a rosette, then emerge again in spring
• Flowers are found in small white clusters near the stem tips. They are composed of 4 small white petals that are each notched. 
• Seedpods are oval-shaped, have 5-7 black seeds 

Reproduction

Seeds spread by people, equipment, and wildlife.

Habitat & Ecology

• Establishes in sandy, gravelly soils, and pastures. 
• Long seed production season.

Impacts

• Invades forage and rangeland.
• Toxic, harmful to horses, which can be very problematic.

Management

Mechanical/Manual Control:

• When infestations are small hand pulling is effective. Note that entire root crown must be removed. 
• Burning of mature plants has proven to destroy seeds. 
• Avoiding mowing mature plants as roots will persist and regrow. 

Resources

Download A Guide to Weeds in British Columbia for Hoary Alyssum here.

Header photo (Molekuel). 

Photo Gallery

×

1 / 1

❮ ❯