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Corn Cockle Agrostemma githago

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
ag-roh-STEM-mah gith-AY-go
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Corn Cockle is an annual herb and weed 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 and fields. The stems are hairy with opposite narrow leaves. The flowers are solitary with 5 pink to purple petals that bloom all summer. 

The plant is becoming rarer due to modern farming practices.

Found in: Weedy in disturbed areas, cultivated grain fields, roadsides and waste places

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Sakuragai'
    White flowers
'Sakuragai'
Tags:
#poisonous#full sun tolerant#purple flowers#pink flowers#fields#partial shade tolerant#roadside#annual#weed#meadow
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Sakuragai'
    White flowers
'Sakuragai'
Tags:
#poisonous#full sun tolerant#purple flowers#pink flowers#fields#partial shade tolerant#roadside#annual#weed#meadow
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Agrostemma
    Species:
    githago
    Family:
    Caryophyllaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe
    Distribution:
    Naturalized in USA
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herb
    Poisonous
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • 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:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    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.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are 1-1.5 inches wide with 5 pink or purplish petals and 5 sepals that extend beyond the petals. They grow singly on long stalks from the leaf axils all summer.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    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
    English Garden
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Poisonous by: ingestion of seeds. Symptoms may include severe stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, weakness, slow breathing.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Glycoside githagenin
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Seeds