Annual or biennial pubescent often branching herbs, with linear or linear-lanceolate acute or acuminate sessile leaves, and large purple, red or white erect flowers, solitary at the ends of axillary peduncles. Calyx ovoid-oblong, not inflated, narrowed at the throat, 10-ribbed, 5-lobed, the lobes linear, elongated and foliaceous. Petals 5, shorter than the calyx-lobes, their blades obovate or cuneate, emarginate, not appendaged; stamens 10. Styles 5, alternate with the calyx-lobes, opposite the petals. Capsule 1-celled. Seeds numerous, black. [Greek, a field-garland.]

Two known species, natives of Europe and Asia, the following typical.

1. Agrostemma Githago L. Corn Cockle. Corn Rose. Corn Campion

Fig. 1799

Agrostemma Githago L. Sp. Pl. 435. 1753. Lychnis Githago Scop. Fl. Carn. Ed. 2, 1: 310. 1772.

Erect, 1°-3° high, simple or with few erect branches, densely pubescent throughout with whitish appressed hairs. Leaves linear-lanceolate, acute or long-acuminate, erect, 2-4' long, 2"-3" wide, the lowest narrowed at the base; flowers showy, 1'-3' broad; peduncles stout, 3'-8' long, erect; calyx ovoid, its lobes linear, foliaceous, 3 or 4 times the length of the tube and much exceeding the petals, deciduous in fruit; petals usually slightly emarginate, the blade obovate-cuneate.

In grain fields and waste places, frequent or occasional throughout our area. Adventive from Europe, occurring also in northern Asia. Corn-, mullen- or old-maid's pink. Crown-of-the-field. July-Sept.