Lobularia maritima
Family: Brassicaceae
Plant Description: Low growing (3-12 inches), mat forming spreading plant. Bears small, white, pink or purple flower honey scented clusters of 4-petaled flowers. Leaves narrow, gray-green dense. Prefers sunny, well drained sites.
Plant Trivia: Has been developed into many cultivars and spread around the world in warm climates. Drought tolerant. The name comes from Greek, “a” without and “lyssa” rage/madness. Historically believed to cure rabies and sooth anger. Flowers and young leaves are edible. In Spain it has traditionally been used to treat scurvy, coughs. It is a great early season pollen source for hoverflies and parasitic wasps
Field Identification: Early blooming small plant. Inflorescences clustered white connected petals with yellow center. Mat forming, high density foliage.
Occurrence: Shor lived annual occurring worldwide, but originally from the Mediterranean area.
Bloom Period: Late winter -early spring
Plant Use: Ground cover, edging and hanging baskets
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