Agrostemma githago

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution primarily concentrated within the northern regions of Europe. It can be found growing in the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. Its presence extends further north to the territories of Finland and Iceland. Additionally, the species is documented within the islands of Føroyar. Finally, the plant's range includes the various landscapes found throughout Great Britain.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Agrostemma githago is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 500 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range situated at 2200 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to human-modified environments, specifically thriving within Áreas Antrópicas (anthropic areas). Consequently, its ecological presence is closely tied to landscapes shaped by human activity, where it occupies various niches within these disturbed or managed habitats across its wide elevational gradient.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

2200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Agrostemma githago is characterized by an annual lifecycle, completing its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives unfavorable periods through the production of seeds, which remain dormant until environmental conditions become favorable for growth. Its growth habit is further classified as a therophyte, emphasizing its reliance on ephemeral seasonal opportunities. Additionally, the plant maintains an evergreen status in terms of its foliage, ensuring that its photosynthetic structures remain functional throughout its active life stage.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Agrostemma githago is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a terrestrial plant that functions independently, as it is not a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its structural habit, the plant is self-supporting rather than acting as a liana or vine. The height of the plant varies significantly depending on environmental conditions, with a minimum recorded height of 0.2 m, a maximum of 1.5 m, and a mean height of approximately 0.688 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.687666666666667 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Agrostemma githago is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a reliance on the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation. The plant is non-carnivorous, obtaining its nutritional requirements through traditional soil-based nutrient uptake. Its foliage exhibits an elliptic leaf form with dimensions that vary significantly, featuring a minimum leaf length of 4 cm and a maximum of 13 cm, while the mean leaf length is recorded at 8.5 cm. The leaf width is relatively narrow, ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 1 cm. Morphologically, the leaves maintain a mean leaf size of approximately 9.9975 cm², and the plant displays a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 177.3 cm²/g, reflecting its structural efficiency in balancing light interception and resource investment.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

13 cm

Leaf length mean:

8.5 cm

Leaf length min:

4 cm

Leaf size mean:

9.9975 cm²

Leaf width max:

1 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

177.3 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Agrostemma githago is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects, with bees serving as a specific and important pollinator. The flowering period is relatively concentrated, beginning in June and concluding in July, featuring violet-colored flowers that typically measure between 3 cm and 3.5 cm in length. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, and it does not engage in asexual reproduction. Following successful pollination, the plant develops a capsule-type fruit that is dehiscent in nature. These fruits vary in size, with a mean length of 1.5 cm (ranging from 1.2 cm to 1.8 cm) and a mean width of approximately 1.1 cm (ranging from 1 cm to 1.2 cm). Within these capsules, the seeds exhibit a mean length of 3 mm (ranging from 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm) and a mean width of 2.5 mm (ranging from 2 mm to 3 mm). The seed mass is quite small, with a mean of approximately 0.01335 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00849 g to a maximum of 0.01571 g. Finally, the dispersal of the species follows an anthropochorous syndrome, indicating that its seeds are spread via human activity.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

violet

Flower length max:

3.5 cm

Flower length min:

3 cm

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit length max:

1.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.5 cm

Fruit length min:

1.2 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

1.2 cm

Fruit width min:

1 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length max:

3.5 mm

Seed length mean:

3 mm

Seed length min:

2.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.01571 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0133495665 g

Seed mass min:

0.00849 g

Seed width max:

3 mm

Seed width min:

2 mm

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Agrostemma githago has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Allantoic acid, Citrullin, FAT, Githagenin, Gypsogenin.

Allantoic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Citrullin

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

Githagenin

1. Dr. Duke

Gypsogenin

1. Dr. Duke

allantoin

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Agrostemma githago has 14 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Allergenic, Antidandruff, Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant, Antipeptic.

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antidandruff

1. Dr. Duke

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke

Antipeptic

1. Dr. Duke

Antipsoriac

1. Dr. Duke

Antiradicular

1. Dr. Duke

Antiulcer

1. Dr. Duke

Immunostimulant

1. Dr. Duke

Keratolytic

1. Dr. Duke