Agrostemma Explained

Agrostemma is a genus of annual plants in the family Caryophyllaceae, containing the species known as corncockles. Its best-known member is A. githago, the common corncockle, which is a native of Europe.^[1] The species is a weed of cereals and other crops, probably with a centre of origin in the eastern Mediterranean.^[2] It occurs as a weed worldwide, but is declining in its native range because of improved seed cleaning. Corncockle is an attractive plant, and its seeds are still commercially available to gardeners.

Selected species

• Agrostemma brachyloba Hammer, narrow corncockle ^[3]
• Agrostemma githago L., common corncockle, corn-pink ^[4]

(Agrostemma gracile is a synonym of Agrostemma brachyloba ^[3])

Notes and References

1. Smakosz . Aleksander . Matkowski . Adam . Nawrot-Hadzik . Izabela . 2024 . Phytochemistry and Biological Activities of Agrostemma Genus—A Review . Plants . en . 13 . 12 . 1673 . 10.3390/plants13121673. free . 38931105 . 11207627 .
2. Preston, Pearman & Dines. (2002). New Atlas of the British Flora. Oxford University Press.
3. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:909925-1 Plants of the World Online (with map)
4. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:150316-1 Plants of the World Online (with map)