Cockle (Agrostemma githago, Sp. Pl.: 435 (1753))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 435 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Agrostemma

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. & E. Europe to N. Iran

Description

The Cockle, scientifically named as Agrostemma githago, is a captivating plant primarily found in regions spanning Southeastern and Eastern Europe to Northern Iran. First classified by botanist Carolus Linnaeus in his seminal work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, Cockle belongs to the Caryophyllaceae family, a group known for its diverse and flowering members.

This vibrant and annual herb is characterized by its slender, erect stems which can grow up to a meter in height. The plant’s linear leaves and striking five-petaled magenta flowers make it a notable wildflower. Typically blooming from late spring to early summer, the flowers emerge singly on long peduncles, adding a pop of color to the landscape.

Historically, Cockle was a common weed in grain fields, intertwining with crop plants due to its similar growing cycle. However, with the advent of modern agricultural practices and herbicides, its presence has significantly diminished in cultivated areas. Despite this, the Cockle thrives in disturbed soils, roadsides, and fallow fields, bringing a touch of wild beauty to these often-overlooked environments.

Ecologically, Agrostemma githago has a symbiotic relationship with various pollinators, including bees and butterflies, which play a crucial role in the plant’s reproduction by facilitating cross-pollination. The seeds of the Cockle, encased in a capsule, are released when mature, allowing them to spread and germinate in favorable conditions.

In addition to its ecological contributions, the Cockle has a storied place in folklore and herbal practices. Although parts of the plant are toxic if ingested in significant quantities, it was used in traditional medicine for various ailments, reflecting the intricate relationship between human cultures and their native flora.

Today, the Cockle serves as a reminder of the rich biodiversity that once thrived in agricultural landscapes and continues to persist in natural settings. Its persistent blooms and hardy nature symbolize resilience and adaptation, making Agrostemma githago a plant of both historical significance and modern ecological interest.

Common Names

Eng: cockle, common corncockle, corn cockle, corn-campion, corn-pink, corncockle, purple cockle
Deu: gewöhnliche kornrade, korn-rade
Dan: klinte
Fra: nielle, nielle des blés, nielle des champs, agrostemme githago
Por: agrostema, axenuz, beijos-de-freira, nigela-bastarda, nigela-dos-trigos
Swe: aurankukka, klätt
Fin: aurankukka
Nld: bolderik
Nno: klinte
Nob: klinte
Ces: koukol polní
Nor: røklint, svart-klint
Cym: bulwg rhufain, bulwg yr ŷd, gith, pabi’r gwenith, yaid, ydig
En: Cockle, Corn cockle, Corn-campion, Corn-pink, Common corncockle, Corncockle, Purple cockle, Corn Pink, Githage, Zizany
Ar: خرم الحنطة
Hy: Արջնդեղ
Eu: Beltxata
Be: Куколь звычайны
Bg: Обикновена къклица
Ca: Niella, Clavell de blat
Zh: 麦仙翁
Kw: Kokla
Hr: Poljski kukolj
Cs: Koukol polní
Da: Klinte, Almindelig Klinte
Nl: Bolderik
Eo: Ordinara agrostemo
Et: Harilik äiakas
Fi: Aurankukka, Isoaurankukka
Fr: Nielle, Nielle des blés, Nielle des champs, Agrostemme githago, Couronne des blés, Oeillet des champs, Lychnis nielle
De: Gewöhnliche Kornrade, Kornrade, Korn-Rade
He: אַגְרוֹסְטֶמַת השדות, אגרוסטמת השדות
Hu: Vetési konkoly
Is: Akurrós, Akurstjarna
It: Gittaione comune, Gittaione
Kk: Егістік қарамықшасы
Ko: 선옹초
Lv: Lauku kokalis
Li: Krók
Lt: Dirvinė raugė
Mk: Какол
No: Klinte, Røklint, Svart-klint
Nb: Klinte
Nn: Klinte
Oc: Anhelas
Fa: علف چنگ
Pl: Kąkol polny
Pt: Agrostema, Axenuz, Beijos-de-freira, Nigela-bastarda, Nigela-dos-trigos
Pt-br: Nigela-dos-trigais, Joio-venenoso
Ro: Neghină
Ru: Куколь обыкновенный
Sr: Кукољ
Sk: Kúkoľ poľný
Es: Navadni kokalj, Neguilla, Negrillón de los trigos, Neguillón
Sv: Klätt, Aurankukka
Zh-tw: 麥仙翁
Zh-hant: 麥仙翁
Tr: Buğdaykaramuğu
Uk: Кукіль звичайний
Uz: Randak
Cy: Bulwg yr ŷd, Bulwg Rhufain, Gith, Pabi’r Gwenith, Yaid, Ydig

Synonyms

• Agrostemma gitthago (Retz.)
• Agrostemma macrospermum (Levina)
• Agrostemma nicaeense (Pers.)
• Agrostemma githago var. minor (Cout.)
• Agrostemma linicola (Terechov)
• Lychnis segetalis (St.-Lag.)
• Agrostemma githago var. nicaeense (Willd.)
• Agrostemma githago var. microcalyx (Döll)
• Agrostemma infestum (Salisb.)
• Lychnis githago ((L.) Scop.)
• Githago segetum (Link)
• Lychnis segetum (Lam.)
• Lychnis githago var. nicaensis (DC.)
• Githago segetum var. nanum (Lunell)
• Agrostemma githago var. nicaeensis ((Pers.) Rouy & Foucaud)
• Agrostemma githago f. exilis (Bolzon)
• Silene githago ((L.) E.H.L.Krause)
• Agrostemma hirsutum (Stokes)
• Githago nicaeensis (Link)
• Lychnis agrostemma (Ledeb.)
• Githago segetalis (St.-Lag.)
• Agrostemma githago var. macrospermum ((Levina) K.Hammer)
• Agrostemma githago var. linicola ((Terechov) K.Hammer)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Greece (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Afghanistan (introduced)
• Alabama (introduced)
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• Xinjiang (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Jun 2, 2018 by Jean-René Girardeau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2017 by Yasemin Bingöl (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2014 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2018 by Stéphane r (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2017 by Brecht Lattré (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 15, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2019 by Camilla Maltas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 6, 2021 by Katharina Pacholski (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2022 by jake morley (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 18, 2020 by Frozy

Taken May 31, 2020 by beurny (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2020 by Bonne Eigenhuis (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2022 by Jim Ridley (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Nov 2, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2021 by grutz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2020 by Uta Groger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2022 by pitorac dorina (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2021 by Carsten Panten (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 4, 2022 by B V (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2019 by willem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2021 by May-B van Nieuwenhuizen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 16, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 11, 2021 by Hélène Illaire (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2021 by Hadi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 2, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 14, 2021 by Gaël Herve (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3085368)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:150316-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Agrostemma githago L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 6