Matthiola incana Stock, Tenweeks stock, Gillyflower, Brompton Stock PFAF Plant Database

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Summary

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

Physical Characteristics

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.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Cheiranthus incanus.

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Seedpod
Edible Uses:

Flowers - eaten as a vegetable or used as a garnish, especially with sweet desserts[183]. Highly fragrant[183]. Seedpods[105, 183]. Used as a famine food when all else fails[177].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidote Aphrodisiac Bitter Diuretic Expectorant Stimulant Stomachic Tonic

The seeds are aphrodisiac, bitter, diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and tonic[240]. 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[240].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Other Uses

Dye

A dark blue or purple dye is obtained from the flowers[168].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife Scented Plants

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Massing. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1]. Prefers a fertile neutral or slightly alkaline soil in full sun[200]. Plants grow best in a sandy soil in a warm, sheltered position[260]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is also a good butterfly plant[17]. Plants are usually biennial or short-lived perennials and are normally grown as annuals in the garden[188]. The wild plant is a perennial with an almost shrubby nature. Garden forms have been bred to have annual or biennial characteristics[260]. The flowers have a strong sweet scent[245]. Special Features: Suitable for cut flowers, Fragrant flowers.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

Plant Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse[1]. 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.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus EUROPE: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Montenegro, Slovenia, France (s. & Corsica)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

IUCN Red List

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Expert comment

Author

(L.)R.Br.

Botanical References

17200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


	Tue Apr 22 2008

When starting from seed, put seedlings in 40 degree F for a few days. Plants that turn light greeen will have double flowers. Plants that are dark green will have single flowers


	Oct 30 2015 12:00AM

The sub-species Matthiola incana subsp incana grows wild along the coast here in Wellington tolerating extreme exposure, leaves and 'seed pods' or fruits taste surprisingly good, a pretty typical Brassica flavor, a bit like Kale or Wild Turnip. The flowers seemed to taste a little odd.


	Jun 4 2017 12:00AM

How should bare stalks be treated after flowers have bloomed?

Matthiola incana - (L.)R.Br.