Sweet alison (Lobularia maritima, J. Bot. Agric. 3: 169 (1815))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: (L.) Desv.

Bibliography: J. Bot. Agric. 3: 169 (1815)

Year: 1815

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lobularia

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. & C. Medit. to Sinai

Description

Sweet Alison, scientifically known as Lobularia maritima, is a charming and resilient plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family. This delightful species was first documented in 1815 by the botanist (L.) Desv. in the Journal of Botany and Agriculture. Sweet Alison is recognized for its sweet fragrance and the beauty of its small, intricate flowers that exhibit a carpet-like bloom across landscapes.

Naturally thriving in the Western and Central Mediterranean regions extending to Sinai, Sweet Alison is notable for its adaptability and ease of growth. This plant is particularly prized for its ability to flourish in various environments, whether cultivated in gardens, used in borders, or allowed to naturalize along pathways. It does exceptionally well in sunny locations where the soil is well-drained, making it a popular choice among both amateur and professional gardeners alike.

The blooms of Lobularia maritima are typically white, though they can also appear in shades of pink, purple, and lavender. The flowers are compact and densely clustered, exuding a honey-like fragrance that attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies. This aspect of Sweet Alison not only enhances its appeal in ornamental horticulture but also contributes positively to local ecosystems by supporting essential pollinator populations.

Caring for Sweet Alison is relatively simple. It requires minimal maintenance once established, needing just occasional watering during prolonged dry spells. The plant can also be easily propagated by seeds, ensuring a quick spread and a continuous display of its lovely blooms throughout the growing season.

In summary, Sweet Alison is a delightful, low-maintenance plant that brings a splash of color and a touch of sweetness to any garden setting. Its historical botanical classification and its widespread natural habitat underscore its enduring appeal and versatility as a garden favorite. As a member of the Brassicaceae family, Lobularia maritima continues to charm with its beautiful, fragrant flowers and its ease of cultivation.

Common Names

Dan: biblomme
Swe: kambräken, vattenstjärna, strandkrassing
Lit: pajūrinė lobuliarija
Deu: strand-silberkraut, strandkresse
Eng: sweet alison, sweet alyssum, sweet-alice, sweet-alyssum, seaside koniga, seaside lobularia
Fra: alysse corbeille d’argent, lobulaire maritime, alysson maritime
Spa: açafates-de-prata
Ces: lobulária prímorská, tařicovka přímořská
Hun: tengerparti fülesternye
Nld: zilverschildzaad
Cym: alyswm pêr, cuddlin, cyddlin, cydlyn
En: Sweet alison, Sweet-Alice, Sweet-alyssum, Sweet alyssum, Seaside koniga, Seaside lobularia
Ca: Morrisà bord
Zh: Xiang xue qiu
Cs: Lobulária prímorská, Tařicovka přímořská
Da: Biblomme
Nl: Zilverschildzaad, Sneeuwkleed
Fr: Alysse corbeille d’argent, Lobulaire maritime, Alysson maritime, Alysse maritime, Corbeille-d’argent annuelle, Alyssum maritime
De: Strand-Silberkraut, Strandkresse, Silberkraut, Strand-Steinkraut
Hu: Tengerparti fülesternye
It: Filigrana comune
Lt: Pajūrinė lobuliarija
Sk: Lobulária prímorská
Es: Lágrimas de la virgen, Açafates-de-prata, Mastuerzo blanco, Mastuerzo marino
Sv: Strandkrassing, Kambräken, Vattenstjärna
Cy: Alyswm Pêr, Cuddlin, Cyddlin, Cydlyn

Synonyms

• Clypeola maritima (L.)
• Adyseton maritimum ((L.) Link)
• Koniga maritima ((L.) Sm.)
• Alyssum maritimum ((L.) Lam.)
• Octadenia maritima ((L.) Fisch. & C.A.Mey.)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Corse (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Italy (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Albania (introduced)
• Altay (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Cyprus (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East Aegean Is. (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
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• Iowa (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
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• Krym (introduced)
• Lebanon-Syria (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Caucasus (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
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• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
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• South Australia (introduced)
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• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Tubuai Is. (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Xinjiang (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Oct 11, 2017 by Reinier Feijen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 10, 2017 by maelito (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 29, 2018 by Kahina Ziouane (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2018 by jeclerencia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 6, 2018 by Sabine Mayan (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 3, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 15, 2019 by Alentejodiscoverers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by Dieter Wagner (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 9, 2021 by etienne copeaux (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 9, 2021 by etienne copeaux (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 20, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 10, 2021 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 3, 2022 by paul clement (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Nov 18, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 24, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 25, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2022 by Julien (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Bark

Taken Nov 4, 2021 by Dieter Albrecht (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2019 by Karim BOUDANI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 17, 2019 by Jean-Christophe Lombardo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 7, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2021 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 30, 2022 by ñah (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 25, 2019 by El Mojito (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2019 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2021 by cscoq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 4, 2021 by Anvon (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5373358)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1085072-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lobularia maritima (L.) Desv.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’]

Soil nutriments: 6