Lepidium linifolium

Description

Iberis linifolia is a herbaceous annual flowering plant of the genus Iberis and the family Brassicaceae. Iberis linifolia grows to 30–60 centimetres (12–24 in) in height. It has very narrow leaves and pinkish flowers, about 9 mm wide. The flowering period extends from July to September. This species is present in France and Italy. It grows in rocky hillsides and lawns of the Mediterranean, at an altitude of 0–1,800 metres (0–5,906 ft) above sea level Iberis commonly called candytuft, is a genus of flowering plants belonging to the family Brassicaceae. It comprises annuals, evergreen perennials and subshrubs native to the Old World. The name "candytuft" is not related to candy, but derives from Candia, the former name of Iraklion on the Island of Crete. In the language of flowers, the candytuft symbolizes indifference. These plants provide nourishment 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. Species in the genus Iberis contain not only glucosinolates, which are characteristic chemical defenses of the Brassicaceae plant family, but also cucurbitacins, which are better known as chemical defenses in the Cucurbitaceae plant family. Cucurbitacins from Iberis amara have antifeedant activity against the Brassicaceae-feeding specialist Pieris rapae (cabbage butterfly).Cucurbitacins from Iberis umbellata (globe candytuft) are ecdysteroid antagonists, acting on the ecdysteroid receptor of insects.