Matthiola incana; gillyflower

Japanese: アラセイトウ（英語表記）Matthiola incana; gillyflower

A perennial plant of the Brassicaceae family. Native to the Mediterranean coastal region, it has long been introduced to Japan and cultivated for ornamental purposes under the name stock. It grows to a height of 30-60cm, and is covered with dense grey fluff. The leaves are alternate, oblong, and about 10cm long. In spring, a raceme is formed at the top of the stem, and many beautiful cross-shaped flowers with four petals bloom. The flowers are usually reddish purple, but they can also be white, pale red, pale yellow, or deep red, and some are double-flowered. They can be used as cut flowers for ornamental purposes, or planted in pots or flower beds.

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia About Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Information

Japanese:

アブラナ科の多年草。地中海沿岸地方の原産で，日本には古くから渡来してストック stockの名で観賞用に栽培されている。高さ 30～60cm，全体に灰色の綿毛が密生している。葉は互生し，長楕円形で長さ約 10cm。春，茎頂に総状花序を形成して4花弁の美しい十字形の花を多数開く。花の色は紅紫色が普通であるが，このほか白色，薄い赤，薄い黄，濃い赤などがあり，また八重咲きのものもある。観賞用に切り花にしたり，鉢植，花壇などに植えられる。

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