alyssum

IPA/ˈælɪsəm/
IPA/ˈælɪsəm/

alyssum — noun

  • alyssumsingular
  • alyssumsplural

1. a low-growing garden plant that produces many very small flowers in shades of wh

1.nounB2
Definition

a low-growing garden plant that produces many very small flowers in shades of white, yellow, pink, or blue

Example

Mei-Lin planted white alyssum along the edge of her garden path last spring.

collocation: plant + alyssum along [location]

The alyssum in Mrs. Okonkwo's window box bloomed from May until October.

Common collocations
  • grow alyssum
  • plant alyssum
  • alyssum flowers
  • alyssum seeds
  • patch of alyssum

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Sweet alyssum is the most common garden variety of alyssum, with a strong honey-like scent and white or purple flowers. Lobelia produces similar small flowers in blue or purple shades but belongs to a different plant family and tends to trail more. Candytuft also forms low mounds of small flowers, but blooms earlier in spring and has thicker, almost evergreen leaves. In everyday garden conversation, "alyssum" often refers to sweet alyssum by default, while the yellow-flowered species are usually called by their full botanical names.

sweet alyssumlobeliacandytuft

Common collocations

Phrases

  • border of alyssum
  • patch of alyssum
  • bed of alyssum
  • seeds of alyssum

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

The name comes from the Greek word 'alysson', meaning 'without madness' — the plant was once believed to cure rabies. It entered botanical Latin as 'Alyssum' and later passed into English as the common name for these garden flowers.