Iberis
| Iberis | |
|---|---|
| Perennial candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Brassicales |
| Family: | Brassicaceae |
| Genus: | Iberis Dill. ex L. |
| Species | |
|
~30; see text | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Biauricula Bubani | |
Iberis (/aɪˈbɪərɪs/ eye-BEER-iss), 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. Species are native to the Mediterranean basin (southern Europe and North Africa), Western Asia, the Caucasus, and western Europe. The name "candytuft" is not related to candy, but derives from Candia, the former name of Iraklion on the Island of Crete.
They are used as ornamental plants for rock gardens, bedding, and borders in full sun or light shade.
In the language of flowers, the candytuft symbolizes indifference.