Agrostemma githago
Agrostemma githago
Safety & Hazards
The seeds contain the glycoside githagenin. They are sometimes found as a contaminant in the seeds of various grains and, if ingested can cause severe stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness, weakness and slow breathing. However, the symptoms are usually mild and short-lasting[ 293 Title Poisonous Plants of North Carolina Publication Author Website http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent concise but comprehensive guide to toxic plants that grow in N. Carolina. It lists even those plants that are of very low toxicity, including several well-known food plants such as carrots and potatoes. ]. The seed and leaves are poisonous, containing saponin-like substances[ 4 Title A Modern Herbal. Publication Author Grieve. Publisher Penguin Year 1984 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 Description Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants. , 19 Title Poisonous Plants. Publication Author Stary. F. Publisher Hamlyn Year 1983 ISBN 0-600-35666-3 Description Not very comprehensive, but easy reading. , 76 Title Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. Publication Author Cooper. M. and Johnson. A. Publisher HMSO Year 1984 ISBN 0112425291 Description Concentrates mainly on the effects of poisonous plants to livestock. ]. Although poisonous, saponins also have a range of medicinal applications and many saponin-rich plants are used in herbalism (particularly as emetics, expectorants and febrifuges) or as sources of raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry. Saponins are also found in a number of common foods, such as many beans. Saponins have a quite bitter flavour and are in general poorly absorbed by the human body, so most pass through without harm. They can be removed by carefully leaching in running water. Thorough cooking, and perhaps changing the cooking water once, will also normally remove most of them. However, it is not advisable to eat large quantities of raw foods that contain saponins. Saponins are much more toxic to many cold-blooded creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc in order to stupefy or kill the fish and make them easy to catch[ K Title Plants for a Future Author Ken Fern Description Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. ].
Botanical Description
Agrostemma githago is an erect, branched, annual plant growing 60 - 90cm tall from a taproot[ 423 Title Desert Tropicals Publication Author Website http://www.desert-tropicals.com/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation. ]. Although somewhat toxic, the plant has a history of medicinal use - though it is little used at the present time. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gardens - some named varieties have been developed[ 423 Title Desert Tropicals Publication Author Website http://www.desert-tropicals.com/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description The main focus of the site is succulent plants, but it also contains information on a wide range of other species. Usually at least one good photograph, plus basic information about the plant and its cultivation. ]. The plant has long been a weed of cultivated grain crops, where its seed became a contaminant of the grain and was thus spread from area to area. However, modern efficient seed screening has lead to a great decline in this species, to the point where it has become a rare plant in much of its native range. The plant is also declining as a weed, but it is still reported as a noxious weed in some areas, such as the states of Arkansas, South Carolina and Florida in N. America[ 413 Title Global Invasive Species Database Publication Author Website http://www.issg.org/database/welcome/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Very detailed information on almost 400 species (with more being added) of plants that have become weeds in areas outside their native range. , K Title Plants for a Future Author Ken Fern Description Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. ].