Corncockle, Common corncockle
Agrostemma githago

Family: Caryophyllaceae

What it is like

Agrostemma githago is a ANNUAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 0.9

Where it is found

A weed of cornfields, becoming very rare in the wild due to modern agricultural practises.

Europe. Naturalized in Britain.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Leaves - cooked. A famine food, used when all else fails. Some caution is advised - see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The seed is diuretic, expectorant and vermifuge. Minute amounts are used medicinally. It has a folk history of use in the treatment of cancer, warts etc. The plant is not used in allopathic medicine, but it has been found efficacious in the treatment of dropsy and jaundice if used for long enough. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity. A homeopathic remedy has been made from the seeds. It has been found useful in the treatment of paralysis and gastritis.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.

Homeopathy: A plant used in homeopathic treatments.

Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.

Other

Rating: 0

How it is grown

Succeeds in most soils. Prefers a rich soil. Prefers a well-drained not too fertile soil and a sunny position. Plants are hardy to between -15 to -20°c. Corncockle usually self-sows freely so long as there is some disturbed ground.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks. The seed has a short viability. Eighteen month old seed germinated freely with us.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

The seed and leaves are poisonous, containing saponin-like substances. Although poisonous, saponins are poorly absorbed by the human body and so most pass through without harm. Saponins are quite bitter and can be found in many common foods such as some beans. They can be removed by carefully leaching the seed or flour in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of food that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish.

This plant can be weedy or invasive in Arkansas (corncockle) Noxious weed. South Carolina (corn cockle) Plant pest.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Githago segetum. Lychnis githago.