Agrostemma githago L.
Cockle
Corncockle is a tall, slender annual of the pink family, bearing large, open flowers of soft magenta-pink with narrow, pointed sepals that radiate beyond the petals like a star. The whole plant is clothed in fine grey hairs, and its upright, branching stems rise above narrow leaves.
About
Corncockle is a tall, slender annual of the pink family, bearing large, open flowers of soft magenta-pink with narrow, pointed sepals that radiate beyond the petals like a star. The whole plant is clothed in fine grey hairs, and its upright, branching stems rise above narrow leaves. Long associated with cornfields, it was introduced to Britain in ancient times as a contaminant of grain rather than being truly native, and decades of efficient seed cleaning and herbicides have made it nationally rare in the wild.
As a cornfield annual it thrives in open, disturbed and cultivated ground in full sun, germinating readily on bare soil. Flowering through summer, its showy blooms are visited by bees and other insects, and it has become a much-loved component of annual cornfield and wildflower mixes evoking traditional arable land. One important caution: the seeds contain toxic saponins, so it should not be grown where the seed could contaminate food crops or be eaten by poultry and livestock.
Also known as
Common Corncockle · Corn Cockle · Corn-campion · Corn-pink · Corncockle · Purple Cockle
Synonyms
Agrostemma githago alba · Agrostemma githago exilis · Agrostemma githago killiasii · Agrostemma githago linicola · Agrostemma githago macrospermum · Agrostemma githago microcalyx · Agrostemma githago minor · Agrostemma githago nanum · Agrostemma githago nicaeense · Agrostemma githago nicaeensis
In our seed mixes
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.