Matthiola incana

Biennials or perennials, rarely annuals; usually densely tomentose. Stems erect, (1–) 2.5–6(–9) dm, (unbranched or branched distally), often tomentose. Basal leaves often in vegetative rosettes. Cauline leaves shortly petiolate or sessile; blade linear-oblanceolate, narrowly oblong, or lanceolate, (2.5–)4–16(–22) cm × (5–)8–18(–25) mm (smaller distally), base attenuate to cuneate, margins usually entire or repand, rarely sinuate. Fruiting pedicels ascending, straight or slightly curved, (6–)10–20(–25) mm, thinner than fruit. Flowers: sepals linear-lanceolate to narrowly oblong, 10–15 × 2–3 mm; petals purple, violet, pink, or white, obovate to ovate, 20–30 × 7–15 mm, claw 10–17 mm (margin not crisped), apex rounded or emarginate; filaments 5–8 mm; anthers 3–4 mm. Fruits divaricate-ascending to suberect, latiseptate, (4–)6–12(–15) cm × (3–)4–6 mm; valves densely pubescent; style 1–5 mm; stigma without horns. Seeds orbicular or nearly so, 2.5–3.2 mm diam.; wing 0.2–0.5 mm. 2n = 14.

Phenology: Flowering Mar–Jun.
Habitat: Ocean cliffs and bluffs, sandy areas near beaches, roadsides, abandoned gardens
Elevation: 0-300 m

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Calif., Tex., Europe, introduced also elsewhere in the New World, Australia.

Discussion

Matthiola incana is widely cultivated worldwide for its attractive, highly scented flowers.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.