alyssum

American  

[uh-lis-uhm] / əˈlɪs əm /

noun

1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Alyssum, of the mustard family, having clusters of small yellow or white flowers.

2. any of several related plants of the genus Aurinia, as A. saxatilis, a widely cultivated species with yellow flowers.

3. sweet alyssum.

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alyssum British  

/ ˈælɪsəm /

noun

1. any widely cultivated herbaceous garden plant of the genus Alyssum, having clusters of small yellow or white flowers: family Brassicaceae (crucifers) See also sweet alyssum alison

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Etymology

Origin of alyssum

1545–55; < New Latin; Latin alysson < Greek, neuter of ályssos curing (canine) madness, equivalent to a- a- ⁶ + lýss ( a ) madness + -os adj. suffix

Example Sentences

The author is a big fan of planting flowers among your vegetables, like carpeting edges of growing beds with flowering alyssum and interplanting cosmos, snapdragons and zinnias to promote biodiversity and support pollinators.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 17, 2023

“This is infuriating, not to mention peacocks have destroyed my garden and eaten all my azaleas, sweet alyssum and bugambilias.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2023

Sorin also suggests alyssum, forget-me-nots and bachelor’s buttons.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 10, 2022

Some just need to be replaced as the hot weeks wear on: The alyssum around the eyes, for example, might be replaced with vinca, or the bidens under the handles substituted for yellow flowering lantana.

From Washington Post • Apr. 11, 2018

The metal cover he now pushed aside had buckled in the fire and was overgrown by alyssum.

From "Inkheart" by Cornelia Funke