Pictures of Flowers Candytuft Pictures and Candytuft Kind

By Pictures of flowers

on February 13, 2009

Pictures of Flowers Candytuft Pictures and Candytuft Kind

Candytuft is a flowering plant of the mustard family. Candytuft is a favorite flower of both borders and beds in the gardens of old-fashioned flowers. The name is thought to have originated from Island of Crete, which was earlier known as Candia. During the 16th century, it was brought from Crete to England. Candytuft grows about a foot tall with white, pink or purple flower clusters. Purple and the evergreen varieties are the best known varieties of Candytuft.

Globe Candytuft is a garden variety that grows up to 16 inches. Red, lavender or pink blossoms grow in dense clusters on Globe Candytuft. The plant has bout 30 species and is native to Southern Europe, Northern Africa and Western Asia. Several species of Candytuft are cultivated especially as garden flowers. Leaves, stems and roots of Candytuft possess medicinal properties. Seeds are considered as the most efficacious. In the ancient times, the plant was often used as medicine for the treatments of rheumatism, gouts and many other diseases. If taken in large doses, Candytuft can cause giddiness, nausea and diarrhea. The plant is also useful in cardiac hypertrophy, asthma and bronchitis.