Lobularia maritima
Family: Brassicaceae
Plant Description: Low-growing (3-12 inches), mat-forming spreading plant. Bears small, honey-scented clusters of 4-petaled flowers, white, pink, or purple in color. Leaves narrow, gray-green, dense.
Plant Trivia: 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 and coughs.
Field Identification: Early blooming, small plant. Mat forming, high density foliage.
Occurrence: Short lived annual occurring worldwide, but originally from the Mediterranean area. Prefers sunny, well drained sites. Drought tolerant.
Bloom Period: Late winter -early spring
Plant Use: Ground cover, edging, and hanging baskets. Has been developed into many cultivars and spread around the world in warm climates. It is also a great early season pollen source for hoverflies and parasitic wasps.
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