Family
Caryophyllaceae
Synonyms
Lychnis githago
Distribution in Canada
Found in SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, PE
Duration of life cycle
Annual or biennial
Seed/Fruit type
True seed
Seed identification features
Size
- length: 2.5–3.0 mm
- width: 2.5–3.0 mm
Shape
- angular oval shape, often flattened on one side
Surface texture
- covered in rows of raised tubercles (wart-like projections) that increase in height away from hilum
Colour
- medium brown to dark brown
Other structures
- hilum appears as an open hole, often with tissue inside
- seed root and shoot outline are visible as a curved line that meets at the hilum
Similar species
Showy baby's-breath (Gypsophila elegans) and cow cockle (Vaccaria hispanica)
- showy baby's-breath and cow cockle are found across Canada and the United States (showy baby's-breath is not known to be found in the Maritime provinces)
- showy baby's-breath and cow cockle are similar to purple cockle (rounded shape, open hilum and dark colour)
- showy baby's-breath and cow cockle are smaller than purple cockle by approximately 0.5–1.0 mm
- showy baby's-breath has a smooth surface composed of raised cells, cow cockle has a densely warty surface, purple cockle has a surface that is covered in spikes
Species Comparison Chart
| Species | Size | Surface | Outline | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| purple cockle | 2.5–3.0 mm | spikey | oval | dark brown |
| showy baby's-breath | 1.5–2.5 mm | smooth | triangular | brown |
| cow cockle | 1.5–2.5 mm | warty | rounded | black |
Photos
Similar species
