[Cal-IPC] Europe, Africa, Asia native, Invasive: Dittrichia graveolens (stinkwort) is a fall-flowering, sticky aromatic annual (family Asteraceae) that is native to southern Europe, northern Africa, and southwestern Asia. It was first recorded in California in 1984 and has rapidly spread across many parts of the state since its introduction. Stinkwort has glandular-haired leaves and stems and grows to a height of up to 0.2 - 1m; its flowers are clustered in small, yellow, flower heads. Its leaves are simple, lanceolate to linear-shaped and have an unpleasant odor. Stinkwort favors disturbed areas and can be easily dispersed easily both because it is a prolific seed producer and because minute barbs on the pappus of its propagules aid in dispersal. It is unpalatable to livestock, severely impacts rangelands, and can outcompete native vegetation. (contributed by Mary Ann Machi)

NIH National Library of Medicine: Dittrichia graveolens is widely used in traditional and modern medicine for its antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, insecticide, and sedative properties. It is also known to be poisonous to livestock and causes allergic contact dermatitis in humans.