alyssum

[ uh-lis-uhm ]

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.

alyssum

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of alyssum¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of alyssum¹

C16: from New Latin, from Greek alusson, from alussos (adj) curing rabies, referring to the ancient belief in the plant's healing properties

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

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

From Los Angeles Times

Some of her plants, like sweet alyssum, grow better next to other plants, like Swiss chard, so she experimented and planted the ones that worked better together.

From Los Angeles Times

The humid breeze carried the honeyed fragrance of late-blooming alyssum, an aroma that muddled my senses almost as much as Frankie’s herbal cologne.

From Literature

We also grow calendula, lavender, sweet alyssum, nine varieties of chile peppers, tomatoes, beans, black-eyed peas, corn, squash and pumpkins.

From Los Angeles Times