Hoary Alyssum
Basic Information
Scientific Name: Berteroa incana
Plant Family: Brassicaceae
Conservation / Invasive Status: Least Concern
Safety Level: Use with Caution
Scientific & Botanical Information
Active Compounds
Berteroa incana contains glucosinolates, compounds characteristic of Brassicaceae family.
What Science Shows
Not documented in peer-reviewed pharmacological literature for medicinal human use. Documented as toxic to horses and livestock. No established body of research supporting human medicinal use.
Growing in New England
Eurasian introduction naturalized throughout New England in disturbed areas and roadsides. Thrives in poor soil and full sun. Flowers spring through summer with small white flowers. Spreads aggressively in marginal areas.
Safety & Interactions
Toxic to livestock. No documented medicinal use. Consumption not recommended. Glucosinolate content presents potential toxicity.
New England Specific
Commonly encountered wild plant but not part of regional herbalism traditions. Focus is on control and eradication.
Traditional Herbalism Information
Parts Used & Their Applications
Not used in Western herbalism. No traditional preparations exist.
Preparation Methods
No traditional preparation methods for hoary alyssum in Western herbal medicine.
Traditional Applications
Does not appear in traditional herbalism. No documented history of use in any herbal tradition.
Modern Adaptations
No modern herbal adaptations. Contemporary herbalists do not include due to lack of research and documented safety concerns.
New England Specific
Recognized as problematic invasive plant. Ecological practitioners work to manage and control spread.
Harvest Notes
Harvesting for medicinal use not recommended. Status as agricultural weed makes management priority.
Magical Correspondences Information
Magical Correspondences
Planetary: Saturn. Elemental: Earth. Traditional associations: boundaries, limitations, restriction, acknowledgment of what cannot be used.
Magical Intentions
Serves as teacher through its nature. Toxicity and uselessness represent Saturn’s hard lessons about boundaries and discernment. Plant teaches wisdom of knowing what to embrace and what to reject.
Ritual Uses
Not used in internal preparations. Dried plants on Saturn-focused altars represent lessons of limitation. Used as meditation focus on discernment and saying no to what is not meant.
Color Correspondences
White (purity tested by danger), gray (ambiguity and challenge), brown (limitation and grounding).
Sabbat Associations
Samhain (boundaries between worlds), Imbolc (germination of difficult lessons).
Traditional Lore & Folk Magic
No appearance in European folk magic as recent introduction. Teaches that not everything is meant for us, and wisdom includes knowing what to reject.
Combining with Other Plants
Not combined with others for internal use. In Saturn altar work, grouped with other challenging teachers.
1 Mills, S. & Bone, K. (2005). The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety. Elsevier.
2 USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Plant Profile: Berteroa incana. https://plants.usda.gov/
3 Grieve, M. (1971). A Modern Herbal. Dover Publications.