Nomenclature

Species name:

Matthiola tricuspidata   (L.) R. Brown

Author(s):

Carl von Linné
   Sweden, 1707-1778
Robert Brown
    Scotland 1773-1858

General names:

Three-horned Stock

Maltese name:

Ġiżi tal-baħar

Plant Family:

Brassicaceae/ Cruciferae   (Cress/ Mustard Family)

Name Derivation:

Matthiola = General botanical term used to define scientifically the group of stocks and is derived from the name of the Italian Botanist P.R. Mattioli (1500 - 1577). (Latin);
Tricuspidata = From Tri- which means 'in threes' and -cuspidatus that means pointed, referring to the 3-pointed siliqua of this plant. (Latin).

Synonyms:

Cheiranthus tricuspidatus

Plant Description

Life Cycle:

Annual

Habitat:

Along coasts (esp. sandy ones) and sand dunes

Source in Malta:

Locally frequent at Ghadira s-Safra, Bahar ic-caghaq and Golden Bay in Malta. Also present in Gozo such as Ta' Cenc and Xlendi.

Plant Height:

Up to 40cm in height

Flowering Time:

Mar - May

The Three-horned Stock is an annual plant which rarely grows higher than around 40cm in height. Usually it forms small dense shrubs of several plants growing in each other. The stems are very hairy (wool-like) and the hairs on the stems are described to be branched.

The Leaves vary in shape. The lower ones on the stems generally tend to be entire with wavy to crenate (ending in blunt teeth) edges. Leaves may reach up to cm in size. The upper leaves are usually divided into lobes that have the shape of fingers (pinnatisect) and usually have blunt margins. The leaves are green to silvery in colour and are hairy as the stem. They lie alternately on the stem.

The Flowers are characteristic of the Brassicaceae family. They consist of 4 petals which alternate with the 4 sepals. The flowers lie on very short pedicels of up to 4mm in size. The Sepals are 4 and are usually erect but are completely covered by the petals. They reach up to 1cm in length. There are 4 Petals which are clawed (have a narrow base that widens at the end). These may reach up to 1.5cm in size and are usually a deep purple colour. There are usually 6 stamens, and the stigma is deeply lobed into 2, and has the ends swollen into horns.

The Seeds lie in a long siliqua that may reach up to 10cm in size. The siliqua end with 3 equal triangular horns at their apex.

This species can be distinguished from all other Crucifers because it has the siliqua ending in 3 equal triangular horns at the apex. The flowers are typical of the Matthiola genus.

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