CORN COCKLE Meaning and
Definition
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Corn cockle (Agrostemma githago) is a tall herbaceous plant belonging to the Caryophyllaceae family, native to Europe but now naturalized in various parts of the world. It typically grows in cornfields, hence its name, as it tends to thrive in agricultural areas. The plant features an upright stem that can reach up to four feet in height, with lanceolate leaves that are oppositely arranged along the stem. Its vibrant pink flowers, characterized by five petals that form a cup shape and are veined with darker lines, bloom during the summer.
Despite its attractive appearance, corn cockle is considered a weed in many regions due to its potentially harmful nature. The plant contains high levels of toxic compounds, including saponins and nitrates, which pose a risk to livestock, particularly if ingested in large quantities. In humans, the consumption of corn cockle seeds or plant parts can result in various symptoms ranging from gastrointestinal distress to more severe toxic effects.
Due to its toxicity, efforts are made to control the spread of corn cockle in agricultural settings. However, the plant does have some ecological benefits. Its flowers are attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to a diverse and vibrant ecosystem. Additionally, corn cockle seeds have historically been used in the production of rat poison and as a traditional remedy for certain ailments, although these uses are obsolete and generally discouraged today.
In conclusion, corn cockle is a tall plant with pink cup-shaped flowers native to Europe. While aesthetically pleasing, it is considered a weed due to its toxicity to livestock and potentially harmful effects on humans. Efforts are made to prevent its spread, but it does offer some benefits in terms of supporting pollinators and having historical uses in traditional medicine
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Lychnis (Agrostemma) githago.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for CORN COCKLE
- xorn cockle
- vorn cockle
- forn cockle
- dorn cockle
- cirn cockle
- ckrn cockle
- clrn cockle
- cprn cockle
- c0rn cockle
- c9rn cockle
- coen cockle
- codn cockle
- cofn cockle
- cotn cockle
- co5n cockle
- co4n cockle
- corb cockle
- corm cockle
- corj cockle
Etymology of CORN COCKLE
The word "corn cockle" has a straightforward etymology. The term "corn" in the context of "corn cockle" refers to any cereal crop, particularly wheat or barley. The word "cockle" has its roots in the Old English "cocc" or "coccōl", which originally meant "a weed in cornfields" or "a seed of a weed". Over time, it specifically came to refer to the plant known as the "Corn Cockle" (Agrostemma githago), a wildflower that commonly grows as a weed in agricultural fields, particularly in cereal crops. The "cockle" part of the word likely originates from the shape and appearance of the flower, which resembles the cup or shell of a cockle, a type of mollusk. So, the word "corn cockle" essentially means a weed in cereal crops that resembles a cockle shell.
Similar spelling words for CORN COCKLE
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