Hoary stock (Matthiola incana, Hortus Kew. 4: 119 (1812))

Family: Brassicaceae

Author: (L.) W.T.Aiton

Bibliography: Hortus Kew. 4: 119 (1812)

Year: 1812

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Matthiola

Vegetable: False

Observations: Spain to Greece

Description

Hoary stock, scientifically known as Matthiola incana, is a captivating and versatile flowering plant that belongs to the esteemed Brassicaceae family. This plant’s lineage was first officially documented in the esteemed botanical work, Hortus Kew, in 1812 by W.T. Aiton, who referenced the initial classification provided by Carl Linnaeus.

This perennial or annual plant has earned acclaim for its tall, densely flowered spikes that bloom in an array of colors including shades of purple, pink, and white. These flowers are known for their delightful fragrance, making them a popular choice for gardens and floral arrangements alike. The foliage of Matthiola incana is typically a muted gray-green or hoary, hence its common name – Hoary stock – emphasizing the plant’s subtly colored and slightly fuzzy leaves.

Hoary stock thrives in the varied climates stretching from Spain to Greece, regions where it is often found adorning rocky cliffs, coastal regions, and hillsides. It is a hardy species that prefers sunny locations and well-drained soil, showcasing a remarkable resilience to both drought and mild frost conditions.

Gardeners and plant enthusiasts appreciate Hoary stock not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its ease of cultivation. With minimal requirements beyond regular watering and occasional feeding, Matthiola incana can flourish, adding a touch of historic elegance and natural beauty to any garden setting.

This plant also holds cultural significance across its native regions, often immortalized in traditional floriculture and local folklore. Whether cultivated for its vibrant blooms or nostalgic scent, the Hoary stock represents a timeless connection to the landscapes of the Mediterranean and the botanical heritage preserved through centuries of gardening tradition.

Common Names

Eng: brompton stock, hoary stock, tenweeks stock, common stock, gilly-flower, ten-week stock, gillyflower, gilliflower, ten-weeks stock, wild stock
Deu: garten-levkoje, levkoje
Heb: mantur afor, מנתור
Ces: fiala šedivá
Hun: kerti viola
Lav: lefkoja
Fra: mattiole blanchâtre, voilier grisâtre, giroflée violier, matthiole blanchâtre, violier
Cym: murwyll coesbren, murwyll lledlwyd
En: Hoary Stock, Tenweeks Stock
Ca: Violer bord, Violer comú, Violer vermell
Cs: Fiala šedivá
Nl: Violier
Fr: Giroflée des jardins, Giroflée quarantaine, Violier, Giroflée rouge, Matthiole blanchâtre, Violier grisâtre, Giroflée violet
De: Garten-Levkoje, Sommer-Levkoje
He: מנתור אפור
It: Violaciocca quarantina, Violaciocca rossa
Sk: Fiala sivá
Es: Alhelí encarnado
Sv: Lövkoja
: Tenweeks stock

Synonyms

• Cheiranthus incanus (L.)
• Microstigma incanum ((L.) Britton)
• Mathiolaria incana ((L.) Chevall.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Corse (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Baleares (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Cyprus (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• East Aegean Is. (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Morocco (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Tunisia (introduced)
• Turkey (introduced)
• Turkey-in-Europe (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Mar 13, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 13, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2017 by Creu Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 14, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Mar 31, 2022 by M G (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 4, 2020 by Pérez Indart Andrés (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 15, 2020 by Isabelle Bellin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2022 by Mikael Nicolaidis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 28, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Dec 18, 2021 by G Chiara (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 6, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 15, 2020 by S D HELENA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2022 by Pierre LEON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 19, 2022 by Felfoul Boualem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 31, 2022 by M G (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.

Fruit

Taken Apr 13, 2000 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 2, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2021 by Patrick Nard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 16, 2019 by Sjaak van Rijn (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2021 by denise (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 8, 2022 by Alboss (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2021 by de P. Susana (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 31, 2019 by Verónica Rodríguez Vicente (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5377378)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:286910-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Matthiola incana (L.) R.Br.)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8207952)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Subshrub, Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Soil nutriments: 5

Soil salinity: 6