Family: Brassicaceae
Author: (Vent.) DC.
Bibliography: Syst. Nat. 2: 174 (1821)
Year: 1821
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Matthiola
Vegetable: False
Observations: E. Medit. to C. Asia and Arabian Pen.
Description
Evening-scent Stock (Matthiola longipetala)
The Evening-scent Stock, scientifically known as Matthiola longipetala, is a charming and aromatic species native to regions extending from the Eastern Mediterranean to Central Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. Described initially in the early 19th century, the formal botanical classification was delineated in Syst. Nat. 2: 174, 1821 by the notable botanist Augustin Pyramus de Candolle, albeit drawing on the earlier work of Étienne Pierre Ventenat.
Belonging to the Brassicaceae family, which is renowned for its diverse and economically important members, Matthiola longipetala is especially celebrated for its intoxicating fragrance that fills the evening air. This nocturnal aroma is a distinguishing trait that makes it a favored choice in evening gardens where its subtle, yet pervasive scent can be fully appreciated.
The Evening-scent Stock typically blooms in late spring to early summer, producing delicate, four-petaled flowers that may appear in shades of pale purple, pink, or white. Unlike many garden flowers that boast vibrant color during daylight, this plant’s notable feature becomes most apparent at dusk, aligning with the increased activity of its primary pollinators, night-flying insects.
Culturally, Matthiola longipetala is often cultivated for its sensory contributions to the garden rather than showy visual appeal. Garden enthusiasts value it for its low maintenance and ability to thrive in a variety of soil conditions, provided it has ample sunlight and moderate watering. It is a resilient plant that can adapt well to different climatic conditions, owing to its native range’s diverse environments.
The plant’s foliage is typically grayish-green and somewhat sparse, which can make it less imposing during the day. However, its true charm lies in the evening and nighttime allure, offering an olfactory delight that many other plants cannot match. This enchanting quality makes it a wonderful addition to any garden designed to be enjoyed during the cooler, twilight hours of the day.
In summary, Matthiola longipetala, or Evening-scent Stock, holds a unique place in horticulture due to its delightful evening fragrance and easy-growing nature. Its historical and botanical significance, combined with its sensory allure, render it a treasured component of garden landscapes across its native and introduced ranges.
Common Names
Deu: langkronblättrige levkoje, nacht-levkoje
Dan: natlevkøj
Eng: night scented stock, night-scented stock, evening-scent stock, night-scent stock, perfumeplant, two-horn stock, evening stock, perfume plant
Ara: shaqaara
Fra: giroflée à pétales longs
Swe: grekisk lövkoja
Cym: murwyll yr hwyr
Nno: hornlevkøy
Nob: hornlevkøy
En: Evening-scent stock, Night-scent stock, Perfumeplant, Two-horn stock, Night scented stock, Night-scented Stock, Evening stock, Perfume plant
Ar: Shaqaara, منثور
Da: Natlevkøj
Fr: Giroflée à pétales longs
De: Nacht-Levkoje, Langkronblättrige Levkoje
He: מנתור מצוי
Nb: Hornlevkøy
Nn: Hornlevkøy
Sv: Grekisk lövkoja
Cy: Murwyll yr Hwyr
Synonyms
- Cheiranthus longipetalus (Vent.)
Distribution
- Algeria (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- Egypt (native)
- Greece (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Kuwait (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Mauritania (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Sinai (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- Western Sahara (native)
- Alberta (introduced)
- Arizona (introduced)
- California (introduced)
- Central European Rus (introduced)
- Czechoslovakia (introduced)
- Free State (introduced)
- Great Britain (introduced)
- Krym (introduced)
- New Mexico (introduced)
- Ontario (introduced)
- Primorye (introduced)
- Romania (introduced)
- Saskatchewan (introduced)
- South Australia (introduced)
- South European Russi (introduced)
- Texas (introduced)
- Ukraine (introduced)
- Victoria (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Feb 18, 2020 by salah chibane (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 17, 2021 by pascale lapeyre (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 20, 2022 by Léa Ghanem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 20, 2021 by Jacques Maréchal (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 17, 2022 by Dietmar Hubmer (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jul 27, 2021 by Алексей (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 8, 2020 by Guillaume SILANDE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 1, 2022 by Nicole Osborne (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 12, 2020 by Michał (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 3, 2022 by abderrahman bedre (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken May 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Ori Fragman-Sapir (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Mar 15, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 26, 2022 by maryvonne stallaerts (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Feb 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jun 22, 2019 by Mika Hallor (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Apr 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Mar 15, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Mar 6, 2022 by Abdul Ghaffar (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken May 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Fruit
Taken May 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Mar 15, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 15, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 15, 2005 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5377395)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:147284-3)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Matthiola longipetala (Vent.) DC.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb
