Definition

Noun: 1. A flowering plant: Virginian stock refers to an erect, branching herb cultivated for its ornamental flowers. It is characterized by loose clusters (racemes) of fragrant flowers that can be white, pink, red, or lilac. It is native to sandy areas and sea cliffs in southwestern Greece and southern Albania.

Usage

• Virginian stock is primarily used as the common name for the specific plant species .
• It is used in gardening and horticultural contexts to describe this particular annual flower.

Examples

• Noun:
  • I planted some Virginian stock in the rock garden for early spring color.
  • The delicate fragrance of Virginian stock is lovely in a border.
  • Despite its name, Virginian stock is not native to Virginia.

Advanced Usage

• The name "Virginian stock" is a historical common name; the plant is not native to Virginia, USA. The "stock" part of its name relates to its membership in the broader "stock" family of flowering plants (Brassicaceae), which includes the related genus (often called "stock" or "gilliflower").

Variants and Related Words

• Malcolmia maritima (n): The botanical Latin name for Virginian stock.
• Stock (n): A common name for several fragrant flowers in the Brassicaceae family, notably from the genus .

Synonyms

• Malcolmia maritima (Scientific name)
• Virginia stock (A common alternate spelling)

Noun

1. erect branching herb cultivated for its loose racemes of fragrant white or pink or red or lilac flowers; native to sands and sea cliffs of southwestern Greece and southern Albania