Erysimum
(Erysimon, the old Greek name of Hippocrates, from eryo, to draw; on account of its effects in drawing blisters). Hedge Mustard. ORD. Cruciferae. A genus of about seventy species of hardy annual, biennial, or perennial hoary herbs, natives of temperate and cold regions of the Northern hemisphere, usually branched. Racemes elongated, terminal, many-flowered. Leaves variable, usually oblong-linear, entire or toothed. A few species only of this somewhat extensive genus are worth growing; and these exceptions are, for the most part, very showy border plants, of extremely easy cultivation in any ordinary garden soil. Increased by seeds; the perennials by seeds and divisions. E. alpinum (alpine).* fl. sulphur-yellow, sweet-scented. May. l. lanceolate, distantly toothed, covered with starry pubescence. Stem simple, straight. h. 6in. Norway, 1823. Perennial. SYN. Cheiranthus alpinus. E. asperum (rough). fl., petals yellow, with white claws. July. l. linear-oblong; lower ones dentately-runcinate, pubescent, scabrous, and, as well as the stem, greyish, with forked, appressed hairs. h. 8in. North America, 1824. Biennial. (H. F. B. A. i. 22.) E. Marschallianum (Marschall's). fl. bright yellow. July. l. lanceolate, narrowed at the base, toothed. h. 1ft. Caucasus. Biennial. E. ochroleucum (yellowish-white).* fl. pale yellow, scarcely scented; petals obovate. April to July. l. oblong-lanceolate, somewhat toothed, covered with two-parted hairs, or smooth. Stems decumbent, branched. Alps of Jura, 1819. Perennial. Plant procumbent. SYN. Cheiranthus ochroleucus. E. o. helveticum (Swiss). fl. yellow; petals obovate. Spring. l. linear-lanceolate, either entire or toothed. Stems somewhat ascendent, clothed with forked hairs. h. 1ft. Rhaetia, 1819. Biennial.
E. Perofskianum (Perofski's).* fl. deep reddish-orange. h. 1ft. Caucasus, 1838. This is one of the showiest hardy annuals grown; it is admirably adapted for beds, borders, edgings, &c.; and thrives almost anywhere; the seeds may be sown in September for a spring display. (B. M. 3757.) E. pulchellum (pretty). fl. sulphur-yellow. Spring. h. 1ft. 1880. Perennial. A very pretty plant, differing from the majority of this genus in being of remarkably compact growth, and forming itself into a dense tuft of foliage. (R. H. 1880, 412.) E. pumilum (dwarf).* fl. pale sulphur, fragrant. Summer. l. linear-lanceolate, somewhat toothed, greyish-green. h. 1in. to 3in. Europe, 1823. An elegant little perennial rock-plant. (L. B. C. 899.)