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.

Spergula arvensis
  • Corn Spurrey

an annual member of the Spergula genus in the family Caryophyllaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • very acid,acid,neutral
    Unknown
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • ?
    Unknown
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Spergula arvensis has 0 edible uses listed
Spergula arvensis has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The seed, and probably also the leaves, contain saponins[1]. Although toxic, these substances are very poorly absorbed by the body and so tend to pass through without causing harm. They are also broken down by thorough cooking. Saponins are found in many plants, including several that are often used for food, such as certain beans. It is advisable not 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 and young plants[1]. No more details are given. Seed - cooked. It can be dried and ground into a meal then used with flour for making bread etc[2][3][4]. The seed is rich in oil[1]. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails[5]. The seed contains saponins so some caution is advised. See the notes above on toxicity.

Leaves

Unknown use

Seed

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Spergula arvensis.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The plant has been used as a diuretic[6].

Unknown part

Diuretic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ. Some seed germinates in the autumn in the wild while some germinates in the spring.

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



Cultivation

Prefers a sandy lime-free soil[7] and a sunny position. A calcifuge plant, requiring a neutral to acid soil[8]. The flowers are only open in the morning.

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Spergula arvensis. 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 Spergula arvensis.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Spergula arvensis
Genus
Spergula
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5]
Medicinal uses
[6]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[8][7]
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
no shade
Soil PH
very acid, acid, neutral
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
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
    annual
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.5 x meters
    Fertility
    self fertile
    Pollinators
    Flies, Self
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Spergula arvensis, Gewone spurrie bloem.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Spergula arvensis, Gewone spurrie bloem.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Spergula arvensis, Gewone spurrie bloem.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Spergula arvensis, Gewone spurrie bloem.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Spergula arvensis, Gewone spurrie bloem.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Spergula arvensis, Gewone spurrie bloem.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Spergula arvensis, Gewone spurrie bloem.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Spergula arvensis, Gewone spurrie bloem.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Spergula arvensis, Gewone spurrie bloem.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Spergula arvensis, Gewone spurrie bloem.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Spergula arvensis, Gewone spurrie bloem.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Spergula arvensis, Gewone spurrie bloem.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.1 Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-090-x (1975-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.1 Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books ISBN 3874292169 (1984-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.1 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.1 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

    "image:Spergula arvensis, Gewone spurrie bloem.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Spergula_arvensis&oldid=81051"
    Facts about "Spergula arvensis"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyCaryophyllaceae +
    Belongs to genusSpergula +
    Has common nameCorn Spurrey +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partLeaves + and Seeds +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has fertility typeSelf fertile +, Flies + and Self +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has imageSpergula arvensis, Gewone spurrie bloem.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has mature height0.5 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useDiuretic +
    Has primary imageSpergula arvensis, Gewone spurrie bloem.jpg +
    Has search namespergula arvensis + and x +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceVery acid +, Acid + and Neutral +
    Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
    Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomy nameSpergula arvensis +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +