Stock
a name originally applied to a cruciferous garden plant, Matthiola incana (called more fully stock gillyflower), but now extended to the various species of Matthiola, and to certain allied plants of the same order. They are herbaceous or shrubby, biennial or sometimes perennial, and have single or double fragrant flowers. M. incana is probably the parent of the greater number of the hoary-leaved varieties cultivated in Great Britain, and known as Brompton stock, queen stock, etc. M. annua is the source of the common or 10 weeks' stocks, and M. graeca of the smoothleaved annual stocks. The Virginia stock (Malcolmia maritima) has been introduced from the Mediterranean, and like the species already mentioned is a great favorite in the flower garden on account of its beauty and fragrance.