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.

Species

Iberis consists of about 30 species of annuals, perennials and evergreen subshrubs. Some of the better known are: Iberis amara - rocket candytuft, bitter candytuft, wild candytuft Iberis ciliata Iberis gibraltarica - Gibraltar candytuft Iberis linifolia Iberis procumbens - dune candytuft Iberis saxatilis - rock candytuft Iberis sempervirens - evergreen candytuft, perennial candytuft Iberis umbellata - globe candytuft They are used as ornamental plants for rock gardens, bedding, and borders in full sun or light shade.

Trophic connections

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.

Biochemical defenses

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.