Brassicaceae

Matthiola longipetala

Common Names: Nightstock

Plant Form: Annual to biennial herb. Size: Up to 50 cm tall. Stem: Covered in minute star-shaped hairs. Leaves: Densely hairy, 9-10 cm long with toothed or lobed edges turning to smooth edges higher up. Flowers: Four pink or purple petals, occasionally paler in centre. Open at night and have strong perfume scent. Fruit and Seeds: Erect to spreading on stalks, long and narrow, up 4-15 cm long, with numerous brown oblong seeds. Habitat: Pasture, cropland, roadsides. Distinguishing Features: Longer horn-like structures on fruit than Common stock (Matthiola incana) and with more leaf lobes. Impacts: Reduces crop yield and can contaminate seed.