Dittrichia graveolens

This article is about Dittrichia graveolens. For other plants named stinkwort, see stinkwort.

Dittrichia graveolens
Dittrichia graveolens at the Dehesa Boyal de Puertollano botanical gardens, Puertollano, Spain
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Asterales
Family:	Asteraceae
Genus:	Dittrichia
Species:	D. graveolens
Binomial name
Dittrichia graveolens (L.) Greuter
Synonyms[1]
Synonymy Conyza minor Bubani Cupularia graveolens (L.) Godr. & Gren. Erigeron graveolens L Inula brahuica Boiss. Inula graveolens (L.) Desf. Inula quadridentata Lag. Jacobaea graveolens (L.) Merino

Dittrichia graveolens, commonly known as stinkwort^[2] or stinking fleabane,^[3] is a plant species in the sunflower family, native to southern Europe,^[4] North Africa, and western Asia as far east as Pakistan. It has become naturalized in California, Asia, Africa, Australia, and other places and is regarded as a noxious weed in some regions.^{[5][6][7][8][9]} It is a classified as an invasive species in California, and a potential threat to wine production in the state.^[10]

The plant is a branching subshrub growing up to 130 centimetres (51 inches) tall, with an aromatic, camphor smell.^[11] Leaves are long and narrow, pointed at each end, with small teeth along the edges, glandular hairs on the surfaces, and a sticky resin. One plant can produce numerous yellow flower heads with as many as 16 ray florets and 40 disc florets.^[2]

Barbs on the fluffy-tipped seeds, which help it spread, can fatally damage the digestive systems of grazing animals. Oils in the plant also taint the flavor of meat and milk of animals that have consumed them. The sticky resin has been known to cause allergic reactions and severe dermatitis in humans.^[12] For this reasons, it is advisable to wear protective gloves when handling the plant.

• 
  Plant in New Zealand
• 
  Flowers in bloom
• 
  Flower (side view)
• 
  Flower (overhead)
• 
  Flower gone to seed
• 
  Dry form of plant

References

1. The Plant List, Dittrichia graveolens (L.) Greuter
2. "Dittrichia graveolens in Flora of North America". Efloras.org. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
3. BSBI List 2007 (xls). Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
4. Altervista Flora Italiana genere Dittrichia includes photos and European distribution maps
5. "Biota of North America Program, 2014 county distribution map". Bonap.net. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
6. "Atlas of Living Australia, Dittrichia graveolens (L.) Greuter, Stinkwort". Bie.ala.org.au. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
7. "Dittrichia graveolens (L.) Greuter". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
8. Brownsey, Rachel; Guy B. Kyser; Joseph M. DiTomaso (April–June 2013). "Stinkwort is rapidly expanding its range in California" (PDF). California Agriculture. 67 (2). University of California: 110–115. doi:10.3733/ca.v067n02p110.
9. Ortiz, Edward (2010-07-28). "Stinkwort's fast growth could threaten California's wine growers - Agriculture - The Sacramento Bee". Sacbee.com. Archived from the original on 2013-08-14. Retrieved 2013-08-14.
10. Weeds of California and Other Western States, Volume 1, Joseph M. DiTomaso, Evelyn A. Healy. UCANR Publications, 2007. page 350
11. Fisheries, Agriculture and (2015-10-30). "Stinkwort". www.business.qld.gov.au. Retrieved 2023-07-12.
12. "Weed Risk Assessment for Dittrichia graveolens (L.) Greuter (Asteraceae) : Stinkwort" (PDF). Aphis.usda.gov. Retrieved 19 March 2022.

External links

• Data related to Dittrichia graveolens at Wikispecies
• Media related to Dittrichia graveolens at Wikimedia Commons
• Dittrichia graveolens, Calflora taxon report, University of California
• Dittrichia graveolens, California Invasive Plant Council
• Dittrichia graveolens, United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
• Dittrichia graveolens, United States Department of Agriculture plants provile
• Dittrichia graveolens Calphotos photo gallery, University of California @ Berkeley