Low growing perennials, biennials, or sub-shrubs, with simple 4-petalled flowers, white or yellow., spring and summer. Native through much of Europe and closely related to Alyssum.
The massed flowers are very attractive to nectaring insects from bees to butterflies, while the evergreen mounds of leaves provide shelter for innumerable invertebrates as well as conserving water in often dry environments. Although not native, A. saxatilis is often found in rocky places outside of gardens, but is not known to be having any adverse ecological impact.