Eastern Forest Threat Center - Hoary False Madwort

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Hoary false madwort flowers

Hoary false madwort flowers

Catherine Herms, Ohio State University, Bugwood.org

Hoary False Madwort
Berteroa incana

Hoary false madwort is native to Europe. The name "hoary" indicates many rough hairs on stems, leaves, and seed pods.

Keywords: Brassicaceae, cool season forb, annual, biennial, perennial, rough hairs, long racemes; Common names: hoary alyssum, hoary false alyssum

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Threat Description

Hoary false madwort is an annual, biennial, or perennial in the mustard family growing 1 to 3 ft tall. This species is a cool season forb that emerges in late April, flowers in June, and continues growing and producing seed in September. Its stems are gray-green and hairy with many branches near the top. Leaves are alternate, gray-green, hairy, oblong, narrow, and ½ to 3 in. long with smooth edges. White flowers with 4 deeply divided petals are produced in long racemes. The seed pods are hairy, swollen, and oblong with short beaks on the end. Oblong seeds are rough and dull gray-brown. Hoary false madwort grows on sandy soils along roadsides, railroad tracks, disturbed lands, waste areas, meadows, and pastures. It is particularly adapted to dry conditions such as occur on sandy or gravelly soils. It spreads rapidly due to the high number of seeds produced per plant.