Iberis

Eye-beer'is. About 30 species of garden plants, mostly from the Mediterranean region.

Description
Leaves divided or undivided, alternate. Flowers in flat-topped or finger-shaped clusters, the 4 petals separate. Sometimes the outer flowers of a cluster are sterile.

How to Grow
Sow seeds outdoors in late summer in areas with mild winters, or in very early spring where winters are severe. Place in full sun and thin to 1 ft. (30 cm) apart. Blooms about 6 weeks after germination and keeps on blooming until frost. The species below prefer cool weather.

Iberis amara
Rocket Candytuft . More or less erect, to 1 ft. (30 cm) high. Flowers-1 in. (1.3-2.5 cm) wide, fragrant, white, in clusters that gradually elongate. Europe. Often a winter crop along the Gulf Coast and at lower elevations in Calif. In warm climates, provide midday shade. Many forms available, some dwarf. Hardy annual.

Iberis pinnata
To 1 ft. (30 cm) high. Flowers white to lilac, fragrant, in dense, convex clusters, to 1 in. (2.5 cm) wide; petals small and irregular. S. Europe. Hardy annual.

Iberis umbellata
Globe Candytuft ; Annual Candytuft . More or less erect, 8-16 in. (20.0-40.5 cm) high. Flowers small, in dense umbels 2 in. (5 cm) across, pink, red, lilac, or violet, not fragrant. Europe. Widely adapted for late spring bloom. Hardy annual.

The botanical name for candytuft.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: Old World herbs and subshrubs: candytuft
  Synonym: genus Iberis

Iberis
Perennial candytuft (Iberis sempervirens)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Rosids
Order:	Brassicales
Family:	Brassicaceae
Genus:	Iberis L.
Species
~50; see text

This article is about the plant genus. See also Operation Candytuft.

Iberis (pronounced /aɪˈbɪərɨs/)^[1] is a genus of flowering plant belonging to the family Brassicaceae. It comprises herbs and subshrubs of the Old World. These species are commonly known as candytufts. The name "candytuft" is not related to candy, but derives from Candia, the former name of Iraklion on the island of Crete.

Contents 1 Medicinal uses 2 Species 3 Trophic connections 4 References 5 External links

Medicinal uses

According to the US Dispensatory (1918), the leaves, stem, and root are said to possess medicinal properties, but the seeds are most efficacious. The plant appears to have been employed by the ancients in rheumatism, gout, and other diseases. In large doses it is said to produce giddiness, nausea, and diarrhea, and to be useful in cardiac hypertrophy, asthma, and bronchitis in doses of from one to three grains (0.065—0.2 Gm.) of the seed. Currently the foliage and stalks are employed in German phytomedicine as a bitter digestive tonic, and it is used in homeopathy for nervousness and muscle soreness.^{[citation needed]}

Species

The genus Iberis consists of about 50 species of annuals, perennials and evergreen subshrubs. Some of the more well-known are:

Iberis amara - rocket candytuft
Iberis gibraltarica - Gibraltar candytuft
Iberis sempervirens - evergreen candytuft, perennial candytuft
Iberis umbellata - globe candytuft
Iberis procumbens
Iberis linifolia
Iberis ciliata

They are excellent for rock gardens, bedding and borders in full sun or light shade. Candytuft is a cold hardy, fast-growing annual with lance shaped green leaves. It reaches a height of about 12 inches with a spread of about 6 inches. Lightly trim after flowering.

Trophic connections

These plants provide nourrishment for a number of insect species of which the rare Euchloe tagis butterfly is the most striking example as it is monophagous on species in this genus.

References

1. ^ Sunset Western Garden Book, 1995:606–607

External links

• More information at Texas A&M
• Iberis Amara @Homeoint.org

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