Ontario Weeds: Cow cockle

Table of Contents

1. Name
2. Other Names
3. Family
4. General Description
   • Photos and Pictures
5. Stems and Roots
6. Leaves
7. Flowers and Fruit
8. Habitat
9. Similar Species
10. Caution
11. Related links
12. For more information...

Name: Cow cockle, Saponaria vaccaria L.

Other Names: China cockle, Cow-herb, saponaire des vaches, vaccaire, Vaccaria pyramidata Med., V. segetalis (Neck.) Garcle, V. vulgaris Host

Family: Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae)

General Description: Annual, reproducing only by seed.

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Photos and Pictures:

Cow cockle.

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Stems & Roots: Stems 10-60cm (4-24in.) high, erect, usually much-branched in the upper part, smooth with swollen nodes.

Leaves: Opposite (2 per node), 5-10cm (2-4in.) long, tapered to a pointed tip, rounded towards the stalkless base, sometimes somewhat clasping the stems, thick and a bit fleshy in texture, very smooth

Flowers & Fruit: Flower showy in a much-branched inflorescence; sepals united forming an angular calyx with 5 prominent ribs; petals 5, pink, spreading 10-20mm (2/5-4/5in.) in diameter; seedpods flask-shaped inside the sharply 5-angled calyx, opening with 4 to 6 teeth; seeds purplish-black, nearly spherical, 2-2.5mm (1/12-1/10in.) in diameter. Flowers from mid-July to September by which time the plant is mature, dull yellowish, very brittle, and it breaks and rolls with the wind, scattering its seed.

Habitat: Cow cockle occurs at scattered locations throughout Ontario, most frequently along railroads and in waste areas near feed mills, but in recent years it has appeared more frequently in grainfields.

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Similar Species: It is distinguished from other members of the Pink Family by its annual habit, the bases of the leaves rounded or partly clasping the stem, the bright pink petals and the strongly 5-angled calyx.

Caution: Like Bouncingbet, Cow cockle seeds and foliage also contain saponins (soap-like chemicals) and are considered potentially poisonous to livestock.

Related Links

• Weeds in Ontario
• OMAFRA Publication 505: Ontario Weeds
• OMAFRA Publication 75: Guide To Weed Control

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