Does anyone grow Corncockle?
 

That's Agrostemma githago. I was given some seeds and just need to know does it self sow and become invasive or not? Bit of a worry in that they say the seed is poisonous, maybe I shouldn't plant it at all, not even in my dog free zone?

Interesting. Had to do a search cuz I'd never heard of it--says it's naturalized in N. America, but I don't think it's around here. Very pretty, though, even with poisonous seeds. Is there a site somewhere showing invasive plants for your area that you can check?

I doubt it, only for weeds that farmers should know about. I might ask on the garden forum here though. I sort of suspected that it might be a N. American plant, that was why I asked. :)

It's actually European in origin.

[url]http://www.cbif.gc.ca/pls/pp/ppack.info?p_psn=13&p_type=all&p_sci=sci[/url]

[url]http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Agrostemma+githago[/url]

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Corncockle[/url]

I don't think I would want that in my garden..

Thanks for that, 14+. I got engrossed in doing my internet banking or I'd have got to this sooner. Well, into the incinerator they go I think. All parts of the plant are poisonous - yikes! Such a pretty flower on it, that's a shame.

Nope, they're only naturalized here, not native. They are pretty, though.

They were just a freebie packet of seeds from a company I bought plants from, so no loss. Now I have to hope the tree I bought today isn't a menace in some way too. LOL.

Goldfields, I found a link to a site where you can download a pdf that contains information on poisonous and invasive plants in Australia and agrostemma githago (corn cockle) is on the list.

Here is the link:

[url]http://www.wwf.org.au/publications/poisonousandinvasiveplants/[/url]

[B]Edited to add: I found agrostemma githago is also listed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency as an alien invasive species in Canada. It is also known as purple cockle here.[/B]

we have those all over the place around eastern ontario, its a favorite of the kids when they are picking wild flowers.

mikischo, thanks for that, I'll take a look at it tonight, unfortunately I have to shop today. Boring!! LOL. Because it's normally so dry in our area some plants that they say are invasive do not become invasive here, and some can't stand our frosts, but just in case, and in deference to my farming neighbors, the Corncockle won't be getting a chance to grow, let alone spread. I'm glad I asked you all about this one.

Melinda, have you got any photo's of it growing wild? Love to see them if you have.