Seasonal Wild Flowers

Corncockle

Agrostemma githago

Caryophyllaceae

June to August

It is scattered throughout the country but is less common

in the North, the Midlands and parts of the far Southeast

and the far Southwest.

See the BSBI distribution map for Corncockle

It is an archaeophyte which has been a weed of cereal and

other arable crops since the Iron Age. It became extinct in

the UK in the 20th Century when the quality of seed

improved.

Nowadays, it is a short-lived garden escape and is often

part of wild flower seed mixtures.

Corncockle is an attractive annual herb, growing up to 1m.

Flowers are up to 5cm across with 5 reddish-purple petals.

The corollary tube is conspicuous and 10-ribbed with 5

pointed sepals, which are longer than the petals.

There are 10 stamens with blue anthers.

There are 5 styles.

Leaves are narrow, lanceolate and up to 13cm.

The plant is covered with white hairs.

The seeds were thought to be poisonous and caused

problems for wheat flour.

Corncockle, Pilling, Lancashire

Corncockle flower

10 stamens and 5 styles

Side view - 10-ribbed corolla tube and sepals

Flower from above showing sepals

Lanceolate leaves