Hoary stock (Matthiola incana) is a biennial or perennial tomentose herb growing 15 to 75 cm high. Hoary stock is also commonly known as Brampton Stock, Gillyflower, Common Stock, Hoary Stock, Imperial Stock, Stock, Gilli-flower, Brompton Stock, Stock, July Flower, Garden Stock and Tenweek Stock. It is unbranched or has sparingly basal branching. Basal leaves are rosulate and cauline leaves are sessile or shortly petiolate, 3 to 16 cm long, 1 to 2 cm broad, oblanceolate with apex rounded and attenuate base. The racemes are 10 to 30 flowered. Sepals measure 10 to 15 by 2 to 3 mm, linear-lanceolate to narrowly oblong. Petals are pink, purple, violet, red or white about 20 to 30 by 7 to 15 mm, obovate to ovate, rounded or emarginated apex, long clawed. There are 7 to 9 stamens and filaments about 5 to 8 mm, style 1 to 5 mm and 2 to 4 mm anthers. Stigma is erect, sessile and bilobed. The seed pods or siliquae measures 2.5 to 4 mm wide, 10 to 15 cm long and is pubescent to glandular. Seeds are brown, winged, sub-orbicular and measures 2 mm across.
Facts of Hoary stock
Name
Hoary Stock
Scientific Name
Matthiola incana
Native
It is native to the coastal areas of southern and western Europe. It has been introduced into the New World and Australia.
Common/English Name
Brampton Stock, Gillyflower, Common Stock, Hoary Stock, Imperial Stock, Stock, Gilli-flower, Brompton Stock, Stock, July Flower, Garden Stock, Tenweek Stock
