Agrostemma githago
Ecology
An annual weed of cereal and other arable crops, tolerant of various soil types, with its distribution largely mirroring that of the crops in which it grew. Lowland.
Status
Trends
A. githago, introduced as a grain contaminant, has been present in Britain since the Iron Age. Although common until the 20th century, it has dramatically declined with improved seed cleaning. It is now extinct as an arable weed, but is a frequent component of wild-flower seed mixtures.
World Distribution
Native range uncertain, perhaps the E. Mediterranean region; spread with cultivation throughout temperate and S. Europe and to many other areas.
Broad Habitats
Light (Ellenberg): 7
Moisture (Ellenberg): 5
Reaction (Ellenberg): 6
Nitrogen (Ellenberg): 5
Salt Tolerance (Ellenberg): 0
January Mean Temperature (Celsius): 3.9
July Mean Temperature (Celsius): 15.6
Annual Precipitation (mm): 852
Height (cm): 100
Perennation - primary
Life Form - primary
Woodiness
Clonality - primary
Count of 10km squares in Great Britain: 815
Count of 10km squares in Ireland: 96
Count of 10km squares in the Channel Isles: 5
Atlas Change Index: -0.75
Plantatt Conservation Status
JNCC Designations
Atlas text references
Atlas (65c)
.
1988. The Irish Red Data Book. 1. Vascular Plants.
.
1988. Biological Flora of the British Isles. No. 165. Agrostemma githago L. Journal of Ecology. 76:1232-1246.
.
1986. Atlas of north European vascular plants north of the Tropic of Cancer. 3 vols.
Jalas & Suominen (1986)
.
1965. Vergleichende Chorologie der zentraleuropäischen Flora. Volume 1. 2 vols.