This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Uses

Toxic parts

The seed and leaves are poisonous, containing saponin-like substances[1][2][3]. 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[K].

Edible uses

Notes

Leaves - cooked[4][5][6][7]. A famine food, used when all else fails[8]. Some caution is advised - see the notes above on toxicity.

Leaves

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Agrostemma githago.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The seed is diuretic, expectorant and vermifuge[1][9][10]. Minute amounts are used medicinally[10]. It has a folk history of use in the treatment of cancer, warts etc[10]. 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[1]. Some caution is advised, see notes above on toxicity. A homeopathic remedy has been made from the seeds[1]. It has been found useful in the treatment of paralysis and gastritis[1].

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 3 weeks. The seed has a short viability[11]. Eighteen month old seed germinated freely with us[K].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Agrostemma githago. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils. Prefers a rich soil[12]. Prefers a well-drained not too fertile soil and a sunny position[13].

Plants are hardy to between -15 to -20°c[13].

Corncockle usually self-sows freely so long as there is some disturbed ground[K].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Agrostemma githago. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Agrostemma githago.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Agrostemma githago
Genus
Agrostemma
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

    "image:Agrostemma githago674466017.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Agrostemma githago674466017.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Agrostemma githago674466017.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Agrostemma githago674466017.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Agrostemma githago674466017.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Agrostemma githago674466017.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Agrostemma githago674466017.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Agrostemma githago674466017.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Agrostemma githago674466017.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Agrostemma githago674466017.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Agrostemma githago674466017.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Agrostemma githago674466017.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Agrostemma githago674466017.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Agrostemma githago674466017.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    2. ? Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
    3. ? Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. HMSO ISBN 0112425291 (1984-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Sholto-Douglas. J. Alternative Foods. ()
    5. ? 5.05.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.110.210.3 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    11. ? Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. (1988-00-00)
    12. ? Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. (1987-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.113.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    14. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Agrostemma githago674466017.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Facts about "Agrostemma githago"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCaryophyllaceae +
    Belongs to genusAgrostemma +
    Has binomial nameAgrostemma githago +
    Has common nameCorncockle +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeBees + and Lepidoptera +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has imageAgrostemma githago674466017.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has mature height0.9 +
    Has mature width0.15 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useDiuretic +, Expectorant +, Homeopathy + and Vermifuge +
    Has primary imageAgrostemma githago674466017.jpg +
    Has search nameagrostemma githago + and corncockle +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameAgrostemma githago +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Agrostemma githago +, Agrostemma githago +, Agrostemma githago +, Agrostemma githago + and Agrostemma githago +