Corncockle  (Agrostemma githago)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

Distributed throughout Europe but often rare where it occurs (3), possibly native only to the eastern Mediterranean region (2). It was introduced to Britain in grain, has been present since the Iron Age (6), and was once very common (7). At present, the corncockle is very rare in the UK and Ireland, and is considered nearly extinct as an arable weed, although it occasionally occurs for a brief time where wild flower seed is scattered (8), or when old pastureland is ploughed or disturbed in some other way (4). There is one 'natural' site in Kent where the species occurs in corn in the hundreds (7).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

An arable weed, particularly in cornfields (3). This species does not survive long in the seed bank unless it is buried very deeply (7).

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