Fauna
Flower

Hoary Stock

Matthiola incana

Also known as Brompton Stock, Common Stock, Ten-Week Stock, Gillyflower

Hoary stock is a hardy coastal subshrub native to the Mediterranean basin, famed for its dense clusters of sweet, clove-scented flowers. Ash-grey, felted foliage reflects intense maritime sunlight and conserves moisture amidst harsh, salt-laden coastal winds. Long cultivated as an ornamental cottage garden favorite, garden escapes readily establish self-sustaining populations on chalk bluffs and sea cliffs worldwide.

AromaticCoastalFlowering
Hoary Stock reference1 / 7
(c) Petr Harant, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Petr Harant · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Cabbage White Butterfly
  • Garden Snail
  • Cabbage Aphid
ThreatsCoastal development, shoreline erosion, and invasive plant competition
HabitatsMaritime cliffs, coastal sand dunes, rocky bluffs, and cultivated gardens
Life spanBiennial to short-lived perennial (typically 2–5 years)
Classification
  1. OrderBrassicales
  2. FamilyBrassicaceae
  3. GenusMatthiola
  4. SpeciesMatthiola incana
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Fragrance Timing: Sniff the blossoms in the late afternoon or evening when volatile floral scents peak.
  • Foliage Inspection: Look closely at the dense downy hairs on leaves that trap moisture against sea breezes.
Related species
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