Additional notes (click to expand)

Medicinal

In traditional herbal medicine: Historically, the seed has been used as a diuretic, expectorant and vermifuge. It has a folk history of use in the treatment of cancer and warts. The seed and leaves are poisonous, containing saponin-like substances.
Plants for a Future (2016) at www.plantsforafuture.org.uk http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Agrostemma+githago link

Toxicity

As a cornfield weed 'Poison Murderess' was a dangerous contaminant of flour.
Grieve, Mrs M. (1931). A Modern Herbal, Penguin. Leyel, Mrs CF

Geographical distribution

  • Africa, Northern Africa, Algeria
  • Africa, Northern Africa, Libya
  • Africa, Northern Africa, Morocco
  • Africa, Northern Africa, Tunisia
  • Asia-Temperate, Middle Asia, Kazakhstan
  • Asia-Temperate, Middle Asia, Kyrgyzstan
  • Asia-Temperate, Middle Asia, Tadzhikistan
  • Asia-Temperate, Middle Asia, Turkmenistan
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Afghanistan
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Iran
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Iraq
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Lebanon-Syria
  • Asia-Temperate, Western Asia, Turkey
  • Europe, Eastern Europe, Baltic States
  • Europe, Eastern Europe, Belarus
  • Europe, Eastern Europe, Central European Russia
  • Europe, Eastern Europe, Ukraine
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Austria
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Belgium
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Czech Republic
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Germany
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Hungary
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Netherlands
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Poland
  • Europe, Middle Europe, Switzerland
  • Europe, Northern Europe, Great Britain
  • Europe, Northern Europe, Ireland
  • Europe, Northern Europe, Sweden
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Albania
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Bulgaria
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Greece
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Italy
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Romania
  • Europe, Southeastern Europe, Yugoslavia
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, France
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, Portugal
  • Europe, Southwestern Europe, Spain

Agrostemma githago L.

Family: CARYOPHYLLACEAE
Genus: Agrostemma
Species: githago L.
Common names: Corn Cockle
Distribution summary: Eurasia
Habit: Annual
Hardiness: H5 - Hardy; cold winter
Habitat: Grasslands and Roadsides
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Poisons garden (PETO), seed waiting to be sown or germinating in greenhouse or frame (seed)
Flowering months: June, July, August
Reason for growing: Medicinal, toxic


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