Matthiola parviflora, Stock, Southwest Desert Flora

Matthiola parviflora, Stock

Stock is low growing species in the Brassicaceae family with flowers ranging from pink, purple, lavender, blue or white. Note that the flower (s) often set in the plant lower than the surrounding leaves. Matthiola parviflora

Stock or Small Flower Stock or Three-horned Stock is an exotic invasive in the Sonoran Desert. Although this species is listed as an "invasive" there is little evidence of the nature and extent of the plants potential to cause environmental harm. Matthiola parviflora

Stock plants bloom from February, March or April. The bloom from January to May in their native Spain. Currently Matthiola parviflora is thought to be an exotic species in central and southern Arizona around Phoenix and Tucson. Matthiola parviflora

Stock are low growing plants with dense, soft hairs (tomentose); stems almost erect, diffusely branched at base. Leaves are green; basal leaves with long stalks (petioles), leaves are crowded at base and along stem, dissected toothed and/or pinnately lobed; upper stem leaves (cauline) elliptical Matthiola parviflora

Scientific Name: Matthiola parviflora
Common Name: Stock

Also Called: Small Flower Stock, Three-horned Stock

Family: Brassicaceae, Mustard Family

Synonyms: (Cheiranthus parviflorus, Hesperis micrantha)

Status: Introduced from the Mediterranean region (France, Portugal, Italy, Spain)

Duration: Annual

Size: About 1 foot (30 cm) tall, more or less.

Growth Form: Forb/herb; plants low growing, plants with dense, soft hairs (tomentose); stems almost erect, diffusely branched at base.

Leaves: Green; basal leaves with long stalks (petioles), leaves crowded at base and along stem, dissected toothed and/or pinnately lobed; upper stem leaves (cauline) elliptical.

Flower Color: Pink, purple, lavender, blue or white; inflorescence a short raceme, flower with short stalks (pedicel) or without stalk (sessile), often with leaves on top; flowers small, rounded or oval, about ½ inch (13 mm); there are 4 sepals and 4 petals (5 to 6 mm) in "crucifixion" or cross formation; note in the photographs above the flowers are often lower than the leaves; fruit a silique.

Flowering Season: February, March and April; January to May in Spain.

Elevation: 700 feet to ? (200 m); Painted Rock Reservoir area, Arizona

Habitat Preferences: Dry sandy areas.

Recorded Range: At the time of the writing Matthiola parviflora is found as an exotic species in central and southern Arizona around Phoenix and Tucson.

North America & US County Distribution Map for Matthiola (USDA Plants Database has no, US/regional, distribution map).

U.S. Weed Information: In North America Matthiola parviflora is listed as an Invasive Plant of Saguaro National Park - 02/21/2017) (Present and Eradicated). Plants included here may become weedy or invasive.

Invasive/Noxious Weed Information: No information available.
Wetland Indicator: No information available.
Threatened/Endangered Information: No information available.

Genus Information: In North America there are 3 species and 4 accepted taxa overall for Matthiola. Worldwide, The Plant List includes 50 accepted species names and a further 45 scientific names of infraspecific rank for the genus Matthiola.

Matthiola is a genus of flowering plants in the mustard family named after Pietro Andrea Mattioli.

The genus Matthiola was published by William Townsend Aiton in 1812.

The genus has about 50 species of annual or biennial and even perennial herbaceous plants and subshrubs. Matthiola species are often cultivated for the heavily scented and colorful flowers.

In the Southwestern United States: Arizona, California and, Texas each have 2 species of Matthiola, Nevada and Utah each have 0 species and New Mexico has 1 species. All data approximate and subject to revision. Arizona is the only know state with Matthiola parviflora.

Comments: Stock, Small Flower Stock or Three-horned Stock is an exotic invasive in the Sonoran desert. Although this species is listed as an "invasive" there is little evidence of the nature and extent of the plants potential to cause environmental harm. Plants above were photographed 3/12/2013 in the Painted Rock reservoir area, Maricopa County, Arizona.

In the Mediterranean region, many species in the genus Matthiola are cultivated for their heavily scented and colorful flowers.

Importance to Wildlife, Birds and Livestock Unknown, exotic invasive

Special Value to Native Bees, Butterflies and Insects Unknown, exotic invasive

Etymology: The genus Matthiola (Matthio'la:) is named after Pietro (Pier) Andrea Mattioli (1500-1577), an Italian physician and naturalist.

The genus Matthiola was published by William Townsend Aiton in 1812.

The species epithet "parviflora" (parviflor'a/parviflor'um/parviflor'us:) is from the Greek word parvus meaning "small" and flora, meaning "flower" and thus "small-flowered".

Ethnobotany Unknown, exotic invasive