Stock, Tenweeks stock, Gillyflower, Brompton Stock
Matthiola incana

Family: Brassicaceae or Cruciferae

What it is like

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.

Matthiola incana is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 0.6

Where it is found

Sea cliffs and as an escape from cultivation, avoiding acid soils. Rocky and sandy places by the sea.

S. Europe. Possibly native to S. England.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Flowers - eaten as a vegetable or used as a garnish, especially with sweet desserts. Highly fragrant. Seedpods. Used as a famine food when all else fails.

Seedpod: things such as Okra, French and Runner beans.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The seeds are aphrodisiac, bitter, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and tonic. An infusion has been used in the treatment of cancer and when mixed with wine it has been used as an antidote to poisonous bites.

Antidote: Counters poisoning.

Aphrodisiac: Increases the sexual appetite.

Bitter: Increases the appetite and stimulates digestion by acting on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Also increases the flow of bile, stimulates repair of the gut wall lining and regulates the secretion of insulin and glucogen.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.

Stimulant: Excites or quickens activity of the physiological processes. Faster acting than a tonic but differing from a narcotic in that it does not give a false sense of well-being.

Stomachic: Aids and improves the action of the stomach.

Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Other

Rating: 1

A dark blue or purple dye is obtained from the flowers.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Massing. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. Prefers a fertile neutral or slightly alkaline soil in full sun. Plants grow best in a sandy soil in a warm, sheltered position. A very ornamental plant, it is also a good butterfly plant. Plants are usually biennial or short-lived perennials and are normally grown as annuals in the garden. The wild plant is a perennial with an almost shrubby nature. Garden forms have been bred to have annual or biennial characteristics. The flowers have a strong sweet scent. Special Features: Suitable for cut flowers, Fragrant flowers.

Propagating it: Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. The seed can also be sown outdoors in situ in mid to late spring.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual/Perennial

Hardiness: 5-9

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Cheiranthus incanus.