Agrostemma githago
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ag-roh-STEM-mah gith-AY-go
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Corn Cockle is an annual flowering herb and weed in the Carnation family (Caryophyllaceae) native to Europe that has naturalized in most of the USA and can be found in all areas of NC mostly in disturbed areas as meadows, fields and roadsides. The Genus name is from 2 ancient Greek words meaning “field” and “garland, crown."
The plant will grow 2 to 3 feet tall and 1-1.5 feet wide and needs full sun in loamy or sandy soils. It produces many seeds so can spread quickly. It is considered invasive in WV, VA and MD and is on the NH watch list. There are some cultivars available in different colors.
The flowers are solitary and showy with 5 pink to purple petals that bloom all summer. The stems are hairy with opposite narrow leaves. Corn Cockle is poisonous to livestock, birds, and humans. It is becoming increasingly rare in agricultural areas due to modern farm practices.
It could potentially be used in the border of a cutting or cottage garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for powdery mildew.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Milas'
Pink flowers - 'Ocean Pearls'
White flowers - 'Sakuragai'
White flowers
- 'Milas'
- 'Milas', 'Ocean Pearls', 'Sakuragai'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Milas'
Pink flowers - 'Ocean Pearls'
White flowers - 'Sakuragai'
White flowers
- 'Milas'
- 'Milas', 'Ocean Pearls', 'Sakuragai'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Agrostemma
- Species:
- githago
- Family:
- Caryophyllaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe
- Distribution:
- Naturalized in USA
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract bees and hummingbirds
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Poisonous
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- 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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit is a capsule with numerous black, pitted seeds.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Black
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are 1-2 inches wide with 5 pink or purplish petals that have 2-3 black lines per petal and 5 sepals that extend beyond the petals. They grow mostly singly on long stalks from the leaf axils all summer.
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-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are opposite, sessile, narrow, hairy and simple up to 6 inches long. They are lanceolate to linear in outline with entire margins and the bases of the leaves somewhat clasp the stem.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- silky-haired, slender stems
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Hummingbirds
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Weedy
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- All parts are poisonous to humans, livestock and birds. Symptoms may include severe stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, weakness, slow breathing.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Glycoside githagenin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
