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Is this plant a weed?

Hoary Alyssum, Berteroa incana (L.) DC.

Found in:

  • Prairie and landscape plantings
  • Most abundant in recently disturbed sites

Characteristics:

  • Biennial or short lived perennial that grows 1-3’ tall
  • Upright stems are grayish-green with tiny hairs
  • Leaves are oblong, grayish-green and covered with rough hairs (i.e., hoary)
  • Leaves arise alternately along stem
  • White flowers have four deeply divided petals that appear in clusters at top of stem
  • Taproot

Significance

Plants that look similar:

  • Shepherd’s Purse
  • Field Pennycress
  • Pepperweeds - Field, Greenflower and Virginia

More information and control options for Hoary Alyssum...

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