Flower · GBIF taxon 5377378
Hoary Stock
Matthiola incanaAlso 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
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (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)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderBrassicales
- FamilyBrassicaceae
- GenusMatthiola
- SpeciesMatthiola incana
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- 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.
Same Genus (c) Patrick Hacker, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Patrick Hacker · cc-by
Image unavailableSame Genus 
Herbivore (c) Thomas Bresson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Same Family (c) Jürgen Howaldt, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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