Spanish cockle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Spanish cockle
• Spanish cowherb
• cow soapwort
• cowbasil
• cowcockle
• cowherb
• China cockle
• bladder-soapwort
• cow-soapwort

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lychnis vaccaria
• Vaccaria hispanica subsp. liniflora
• Vaccaria hispanica subsp. grandiflora
• Vaccaria hispanica var. liniflora
• Vaccaria hispanica var. vaccaria
• Vaccaria pyramidata var. grandiflora
• Vaccaria pyramidata subsp. grandiflora
• Vaccaria hispanica var. oxyodonta
• Vaccaria pyramidata var. oxyodonta
• Saponaria vaccaria var. grandiflora
• Dianthus inclusus
• Vaccaria inclusa
• Vaccaria pyramidata
• Vaccaria brachycalyx
• Vaccaria grandiflora
• Silene vaccaria
• Saponaria amplissima
• Saponaria inclusa
• Saponaria hispanica
• Saponaria liniflora
• Saponaria oxyodonta
• Saponaria perfoliata
• Saponaria pentagona
• Saponaria vaccaria
• Saponaria segetalis
• Vaccaria segetalis subsp. pyramidata
• Vaccaria hispanica subsp. vaccaria
• Vaccaria pyramidata var. liniflora
• Vaccaria hispanica
• Vaccaria hispanica subsp. oxyodonta
• Vaccaria hispanica subsp. pyramidata
• Saponaria vaccaria f. grohii
• Vaccaria hispanica var. grandiflora
• Vaccaria pyramidalis
• Vaccaria segetalis
• Vaccaria liniflora
• Vaccaria oxyodonta
• Vaccaria parviflora
• Vaccaria perfoliata

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Caryophyllales, it is classified under the family Caryophyllaceae. It is specifically identified by the genus Gypsophila, which includes the species Gypsophila vaccaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. Its presence is also documented across the various landscapes of Finland. Furthermore, the species inhabits the territories of both Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical range extends northward into the country of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Gypsophila vaccaria is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 3000 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant adaptability to various landscapes, frequently colonizing anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and open grassland environments (Campo Limpo). Such habitat preferences suggest a capability to thrive in disturbed sites and sun-exposed, low-vegetation zones across a wide vertical gradient.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo Limpo

Life history

The life history of Gypsophila vaccaria is characterized by its existence as an annual plant, completing its entire developmental cycle from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, its life form is defined by its reliance on seeds to survive unfavorable periods, with the vegetative structures dying off completely once the reproductive phase is concluded. This lifecycle is further defined by its deciduous nature, as the plant sheds its foliage as it reaches maturity or responds to seasonal changes. Through this strategy of rapid growth and seed dispersal, the species efficiently utilizes available resources to ensure the continuity of its population.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Gypsophila vaccaria is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This terrestrial, independent plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation and is a self-supporting species rather than a climber or liana. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing organism, with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 1 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 0.532 m. As a non-epiphytic terrestrial plant, it lacks any parasitic or climbing dependencies, maintaining a stable, self-supporting structural habit.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1 m

Plant height mean:

0.532 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Gypsophila vaccaria is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a reliance on the standard Calvin cycle for carbon fixation. The plant exhibits a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, deriving all necessary nutrients from the soil through its root system. Its foliar morphology is defined by elliptic leaf forms, which vary significantly in dimensions; leaf length typically ranges from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 9 cm, while leaf width fluctuates between 0.5 cm and 2 cm. These morphological variations contribute to a mean leaf size of approximately 26.8436 cm². Furthermore, the plant possesses a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 187.3 cm²/g, reflecting its internal leaf structure and its physiological approach to optimizing light interception and resource allocation.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf size mean:

26.8436 cm²

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

187.3 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Gypsophila vaccaria is characterized by a sexual reproductive cycle that relies on biotic pollination mechanisms. The flowering period typically commences in June and concludes in August, featuring pink-colored flowers that attract pollinators. The pollination syndrome is classified as biotic, specifically involving insects such as butterflies. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species, emphasizing the importance of cross-pollination. Once fertilization occurs, the plant develops a capsule as its fruit type, which is a dehiscent structure, meaning it opens at maturity to release its seeds. The seeds produced are relatively small, with a mean mass of 0.0060254 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.0028 g to a maximum of 0.0088 g. For the spread of the next generation, the plant utilizes an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, where seeds are dispersed by the wind. There is no evidence of asexual reproduction in this species.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower colour :

pink

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit type :

capsule

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

butterfly

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.0088 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0060254 g

Seed mass min:

0.0028 g

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Gypsophila vaccaria has 1 reported plant parts identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Journal of Asian natural products research
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology
4. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
5. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Gypsophila vaccaria has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Dianoside G, Polysaccharide, Segetalin E, Vaccarin, Vaccaroid B.

Dianoside G

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Polysaccharide

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Segetalin E

1. Phytochemistry

Vaccarin

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

Vaccaroid B

1. Phytochemistry

Vaccaroside A

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

apigenin-6-C-arabinosylglucoside

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

apigenin-6-C-glucosylglucoside

1. Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica

segetoside C

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

vaccaroid A

1. Journal of Asian natural products research

Activities

Gypsophila vaccaria has 3 reported activities identified across 7 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antioxidant, Antitumor.

Analgesic

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Antioxidant

1. Frontiers in chemistry

Antitumor

1. Frontiers in chemistry

Preparations