Iberis saxatilis

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Iberis saxatilis
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Brassicales
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Iberis
Species:
I. saxatilis
Binomial name
Iberis saxatilis
Synonyms

Biauricula saxatilis (L.) Bubani

Iberis saxatilis, the rock candytuft, is a species of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae, native to southern Europe and northwest Africa.[1][2] The species is typically used as an ornamental rock and alpine garden perennial plant because of its decorative flowers and cascading growth habit.[1] Iberis is so named because many members of the genus come from the Iberian Peninsula in south west Europe.[1] The species name saxatilis means "growing among rocks," referring to the preferred substrate of this species.[1]

Range[edit]

The natural range for this species is Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, the Balkan Peninsula, the Crimean Peninsula, and Morocco.[1][2] In 2017, a new subspecies—Iberis saxatilis subsp. magnesiana—was identified in Turkey.[3]

Description[edit]

This species is a spreading and low-growing perennial.[1] Depending on the wintertime harshness of its environment, it may be evergreen or semi-evergreen.[1] It produces numerous snowflake-like white flowers, the petals of which take on a pink or purple tinge with age.[1] The plant is able to spread via adventitious rooting of stems that make contact with soil.[1]

Cultivation[edit]

Rock candytuft is typically grown in gardens that simulate the rocky alpine conditions of the plant's natural habitat.[1] It thrives and flowers best in full sun with well-drained soil, but will tolerate partial shade.[1] Poorly drained soil often causes crown rot in this species.[1]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Iberis saxatilis". Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  2. ^ a b "Iberis saxatilis". Kew Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  3. ^ Oskay, Dilek (9 May 2017). "A new subspecies of Iberis saxatilis (Brassicaceae) from Turkey". Phytotaxa. 306 (2): 153. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.306.2.5. Retrieved 2022-04-28.

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