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Camphor Inula

Dittrichia graveolens (dit-TRIK-ee-uh grav-ee-OH-lens)

Family: Asteraceae Non-native

Stinkwort is an annual weed native to portions of Europe to the Western Himalayan. It has spread rampantly outside of its native range, specifically in California and Australia. It has been spotted in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and South Carolina. The weed has strong-smelling oil, which it excretes from the glands in its foliage and stems. The sticky leaves and stems may cause contact dermatitis. Protective gloves and clothing should be worn when handling this weed. Stinkwort may also cause illness and death to livestock and horses. The flowers have hairy fruits with tufts of fine bristles that are barbed. When ingested by livestock, they may puncture the stomach, intestines, and bowels. The oil also taints the taste of the meat and milk products. Stinkwort is also known as Camphor Inula, Cape Khakiweed, and Stinking Fleabane. It is a member of the Asteraceae family. The genus name, Dittrichia , is named in honor of a German botanist, Manfred Dittrich. The species name, graveolens , is Latin and means "heavy smelling." The plant is erect, multi-branched, conical shaped, and may grow over 3 feet tall. The basal leaves are in the form of a rosette, and the leaves on the stem are smaller and alternate. The small daisy-like flowers emerge in the fall. The seeds are oval with fine hairs and topped with a layer of bristles. The seeds germinate in the winter and spring and are dispersed by the wind, water, or attaching to animals, clothing, or equipment. Stinkwort has an unusual life cycle for an annual. The plant appears in May and develops branches and leaves from June to September. The flower and seeds are produced from September to December. Agricultural areas are threatened by this weed. It may be found along roadsides, grazing lands, wastelands, or disturbed sites. The challenge of controlling Stinkwort is using the proper management tools at the right time.

Source: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox ↗ NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, 53 attributes.

Companions & Conflicts

Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.

No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.

Also noted by NC State

Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.

Fills a similar niche Conium maculatum Datura stramonium Tanacetum vulgare

Full plant profile

Growing Conditions
Plant type
Annual; Weed
Life cycle
Annual
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
High
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear
Leaf margin
Denticulate; Entire
Leaf feel
Soft
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The leaves are lanceolate, narrow in shape, and form a basal rosette. The basal leaves are up to 4 inches long and finely toothed. The stem leaves are smaller (0.5 to 2 inches) with entire margins and appear alternate. The foliage has sticky hairs covered with resin and emits a strong camphor-like odor.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Red/Burgundy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Bell
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The flowers appear late summer to early winter. Single, small yellow flower heads appear at the tips of branches or in the upper leaf forks. The flower head is about 0.2 to 0.3 inches in diameter. It has 6-12 yellow petal rays on the outer edge and yellow-reddish disk florets in the center. The flower is surrounded by 2 rows of narrow green bracts. The bracts are covered with sticky hairs.
Bloom time
Fall
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The seed or achene is light brown, oval, and about 2mm long. They are covered with hairs and topped with a ring of numerous layers of hairs or bristles. The seeds are produced from September to December.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
The stem is rigid, branched, erect, and covered with sticky hairs. The base of the stem is slightly woody. The stem usually measures 11-24 inches and sometimes up to 39 inches.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Europe to West Himalaya
Distribution
Native: Afghanistan, Algeria, Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Lebanon, Netherlands, Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Spain, Syria, Turkey, West Himalaya, and Yugoslavia Introduced: Czechoslovakia, Germany, Great Britain, Switzerland, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, New Zealand North, United States--CA, CT, NJ, NY, and SC
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Achene

Uses (ethnobotany)

The leaves and stems are used externally to treat lice in chickens. The species is known for its essential oils.

Landscape Use
Garden tags
#contact dermatitis #annual weed #problem for cattle #malodorous #weedy
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Malodorous; Weedy
Propagation
Seed
Poison severity
Low
Poison parts
Leaves; Stems
Poison symptoms
Human contact with the oils of the leaves and stems may cause contact dermatitis.
Toxic principle
Contains sesquiterpenes, flavonoids, and aromatic compounds. Very little data available.
Contact dermatitis
Yes
Toxicity summary
Low severity poison; parts: Leaves; Stems; contact dermatitis

Planted at Hunnicutt

Nobody’s planted this one yet.

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