Cow cockle
(Saponaria vaccaria)

Overview

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Cow cockle is a competitive broadleaf plant that grows annually, competing with crops for moisture and nutrients, resulting in crop yield and quality losses. The seeds of cow cockle are also toxic to livestock when ingested in very high quantities (due to their saponin contents).

Main description

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Seedling
The cow cockle cotyledon range in height from 10-30 mm long, and are oblong in shape and hairless. Stems can appear purplish in colour.

Mature plant
The leaves are opposite in growth pattern: long and narrow, taper into a point and are hairless. Flowers are bright pink and contain five petals, which are found at the end of the stems. The stems appear greenish-blue and are hairless, growing erect up to 100 cm. 

Optimal growth conditions

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Cow cockle is most commonly found in waste areas and cultivated fields.