corn cockle

American  

noun

1. a plant, Agrostemma githago, of the pink family, having magenta-purple flowers and occurring commonly as a weed among crops of grain.

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Etymology

Origin of corn cockle

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

Bees and some long-tongued flies seen about the corn cockle doubtless get pollen only; but there are few flowers so deep that the longest-tongued bees cannot sip them.

From Wild Flowers An Aid to Knowledge of Our Wild Flowers and Their Insect Visitors by Blanchan, Neltje