Alyssum alyssoides aka Small Alison

Alyssum alyssoides is a small annual plant. It belongs to the mustard family, Brassicaceae. People call it pale madwort, lesser madwort, or yellow alyssum. The RHS lists hoary alyssum as another name. Its native range spans east-central Europe, the Mediterranean, and central Asia. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. It grows in temperate regions, where it lives on open ground. Sites include disturbed fields, pastures, bluffs, and valleys with sagebrush. It also grows in mountains up to 6,562 feet [2,000 metres].

This plant grows fast and forms low, loose mounds or patches. Most plants reach 0.16–0.66 feet [0.05–0.20 metres] tall. Some reach about 0.82 feet [0.25 metres]. Patches can spread 0.33–0.98 feet [0.10–0.30 metres] across. Their width depends on how close plants grow together. The main size entry gives a spread of 0.66 feet [0.20 metres]. The leaves have star-shaped hairs that affect how they feel. The supplied species evidence gives no details about flowers or fruit. Insects carry pollen between flowers, and the plant draws wildlife.

Pale madwort grows best in full sun but accepts some shade. Choose an open spot, not a site in deep shade. It grows in sand or loam that drains well. Rocky ground and soil low in nutrients can suit it too. Soil can be mildly acid, neutral, or mildly alkaline. It can range from dry to moist, but not too wet. The plant can cope with drought when conditions turn dry. The source lists USDA zones 4–8 and says it tolerates frost. Grow new plants from seed. As an annual, it forms no lasting woody frame.

Pale madwort can grow as a weed in fields and open ground. The evidence calls it weedy at times, but not strongly invasive. Its small size and loose growth suit low patches, not tall planting. The source records no uses as medicine or for other tasks.

The leaves taste mild; people can eat them raw or cooked. Their hairs can make them unpleasant to eat. Cooking does not remove those hairs. Treat the leaves as an occasional green, not a main food crop. Too little evidence supports eating this species’ seeds to recommend them. Food safety is still unclear. A listing as edible does not prove the plant is harmless.