Cow cockle (Gypsophila vaccaria, J.Sibthorp & J.E.Smith, Fl. Graec. Prodr. 1: 279 (1809))

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Author: (L.) Sm.

Bibliography: J.Sibthorp & J.E.Smith, Fl. Graec. Prodr. 1: 279 (1809)

Year: 1809

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Gypsophila

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Macaronesia, C. & E. Europe to Medit. and C. Himalaya

Description

Cow cockle, scientifically known as Gypsophila vaccaria, is a distinctive member of the Caryophyllaceae family. This plant was first described in the early 19th century by botanists J. Sibthorp and J. E. Smith in their seminal work “Flora Graeca Prodromus” in 1809. The species name was later accredited to the renowned botanist, L., and further defined by Sm.

Gypsophila vaccaria is an interesting example of a species with a broad geographical range. Its native habitats extend from Macaronesia in the Atlantic Ocean to Central and Eastern Europe, reaching down into the Mediterranean region and as far east as the central Himalayas. This wide distribution is indicative of its adaptability to various climatic and soil conditions.

Cow cockle is recognized for its delicate and airy floral structure, commonly featuring small, pale pink or white flowers grouped in loose clusters. These flowers typically bloom in the summer months, attracting a variety of pollinators, and adding a light, textured aesthetic to the landscapes they inhabit. The plant’s slender, branching stems and narrow, lance-shaped leaves further contribute to its graceful appearance.

In addition to its ornamental value, Gypsophila vaccaria has also been studied for its potential uses in traditional medicine and other applications. Its seeds contain saponins, which have been explored for their potential in various industries, including as ingredients in soaps and detergents.

Biologists and horticulturists alike appreciate Cow cockle not only for its beauty but also for its resilience and versatility as a plant species. Its ability to thrive across such a diverse range of environments makes it a subject of ongoing interest in the scientific and gardening communities.

Common Names

Eng: cowherb, cowcockle, cow soapwort, cowbasil, spanish cockle, spanish cowherb
Deu: saat-kuhnelke
Fra: saponaire des vaches, vaccaire d’espagne, vachère
En: Cow cockle, Cow-soapwort, Cowherb, China cockle, Bladder-soapwort, Cow soapwort, Cow herb, Cowcockle, FIELD VACCARIA
Ar: Ful al-arab, فول العرب, بقرية إسبانية
Be: Тысячагалоў
Ca: Vacària
Zh: Mai lan cai, 西班牙王不留行
Cs: Kravinec španělský, Kravinec španělský velkokvětý
Da: Konellike
Nl: Koekruid
Et: Põld­-lehmalill, Põld-lehmalill
Fi: Toukokukka, Toukoraunikki
Fr: Saponaire des vaches, Vaccaire d’Espagne, Vachère, Gypsophile Vaccaire
Ka: Ჭეჭველა
De: Kuhlkraut, Saat-Kuhnelke, Kuhkraut, Saat-Kuhkraut
He: סבונית השדה, סבונית השדות
Is: Kúajurt
It: Cetino dei campi
Ko: 말뱅이나물
Lv: Sp
Lt: Kalkinė braškutė
Mk: Кравјанка
Fa: جغجغک
Pl: Krowiziół zbożowy
Pt: Alfinete-da-terra
Ru: Тысячеголов
Sv: Åkernejlika
Cy: Llysiau`r fuwch, Buwlys, Llysiau’r Fuwch

Synonyms

• Vaccaria hispanica ((Mill.) Rauschert)
• Lychnis vaccaria ((L.) Scop.)
• Vaccaria hispanica var. oxyodonta ((Boiss.) J.Léonard)
• Vaccaria vaccaria ((L.) Huth)
• Vaccaria hispanica var. liniflora ((Boiss. & Hausskn.) J.Léonard)
• Vaccaria sessilifolia (Sweet)
• Vaccaria segetalis var. grandiflora ((Ser.) P.Fourn.)
• Vaccaria vulgaris (Host)
• Vaccaria pyramidata var. grandiflora ((Ser.) Maire)
• Saponaria vaccaria (L.)
• Saponaria vaccaria f. grohii (B.Boivin)
• Saponaria pentagona (Steud.)
• Saponaria perfoliata (Roxb. ex Willd.)
• Saponaria liniflora (Boiss. & Hausskn.)
• Vaccaria hispanica subsp. vaccaria ((L.) P.Eliáš)
• Saponaria segetalis (Neck.)
• Vaccaria segetalis subsp. pyramidata ((Medik.) Dostál)
• Saponaria oxyodonta (Boiss.)
• Saponaria rubra (Lam.)
• Vaccaria hispanica subsp. pyramidata ((Medik.) Holub)
• Vaccaria pyramidata var. liniflora ((Boiss. & Hausskn.) Cullen)
• Vaccaria pyramidata subsp. grandiflora ((Ser.) Hayek)
• Vaccaria brachycalyx (Pau)
• Vaccaria arvensis (Link)
• Vaccaria grandiflora (Jaub. & Spach)
• Saponaria amplissima (Mill.)
• Vaccaria inclusa (Ledeb.)
• Vaccaria oxyodonta (Boiss.)
• Vaccaria liniflora ((Boiss. & Hausskn.) Bornm.)
• Vaccaria perfoliata ((Roxb. ex Willd.) Sweet)
• Vaccaria hispanica subsp. oxyodonta ((Boiss.) Greuter & Burdet)
• Vaccaria hispanica subsp. liniflora ((Boiss. & Hausskn.) Greuter & Burdet)
• Vaccaria parviflora (Moench)
• Saponaria inclusa (K.Koch)
• Silene vaccaria (E.H.L.Krause)
• Saponaria hispanica (Mill.)
• Saponaria vaccaria var. grandiflora (Ser.)
• Vaccaria hispanica var. grandiflora ((Ser.) Meusel & M.Mühl.)
• Vaccaria pyramidata var. oxyodonta ((Boiss.) Zohary)
• Dianthus inclusus (Walp.)
• Vaccaria hispanica var. vaccaria ((L.) Greuter)
• Vaccaria segetalis ((Neck.) Garcke ex Asch.)
• Vaccaria pyramidalis (Prahl)
• Vaccaria pyramidata (Medik.)
• Vaccaria hispanica subsp. grandiflora ((Ser.) Holub)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nepal (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Altay (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Buryatiya (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Finland (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Inner Mongolia (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Irkutsk (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Khabarovsk (introduced)
• Kirgizstan (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Krasnoyarsk (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Qinghai (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Tadzhikistan (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Tibet (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Uzbekistan (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Siberia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)
• Xinjiang (introduced)
• Yukon (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 17, 2021 by Laura Becker (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2021 by Laura Becker (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2017 by jeclerencia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2021 by bee help_to_bee (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 19, 2021 by casanovas santacana mei casanovas santacana (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 15, 2006 by Photoflora – Bernard TILLY (©)

Taken Aug 3, 2019 by joselu_4 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 27, 2022 by Francois Mansour (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 5, 2022 by Mohammed Kara (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2021 by Ludovic Lavigne (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2021 by Antoine le Clercq (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2022 by Sedigheh (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − René BUTTMANN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Hugues TINGUY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jun 10, 2020 by Andreas R. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2022 by Joe Rabe (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Dec 29, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Pierre CROUZET (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Bark

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Sources

• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8091998)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:154685-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Vaccaria hispanica (Mill.) Rauschert)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3085320)

Specifications

Growth