Dittrichia graveolens, commonly known as stinkwort or stinking fleabane, is a plant species in the sunflower family, native to southern Europe,Altervista Flora Italiana genere Dittrichia includes photos and European distribution maps 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. It is a classified as an invasive species in California, and a potential threat to wine production in the state.Weeds of California and Other Western States, Volume 1, Joseph M. DiTomaso, Evelyn A. Healy. UCANR Publications, 2007. page 350
The plant is a branching subshrub growing up to tall, with an aromatic, camphor smell. 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.
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. For this reasons, it is advisable to wear protective gloves when handling the plant.
References
External links
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