Stinkwort is not a garden plant. It is a weed — one worth cataloging here precisely because recognizing it is the first step to controlling it. Native to a broad arc from Europe to the western Himalayas, Dittrichia graveolens has established itself as an invasive problem in California, Australia, and scattered locations on the U.S. East Coast. The genus name honors the German botanist Manfred Dittrich; the species name graveolens is Latin for "heavy smelling," which leaves nothing to the imagination. The strong-scented oils secreted from glands in the foliage and stems can cause contact dermatitis, and anyone handling it should wear gloves and protective clothing.

It has an unusual life cycle for an annual, appearing in May, branching through summer, and then producing its small yellow daisy-like flowers from September through December. The seeds are topped with barbed bristles that hitchhike on animals, clothing, and equipment. In areas where livestock graze, stinkwort poses a genuine danger: the bristled fruits can puncture the stomach and intestines if ingested, and the oils taint meat and milk. Populations appear along roadsides, disturbed ground, and grazing lands. Removal is most effective before seed set in early fall.