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Corn Marigold

Glebionis segetum

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Asterales
Family:
Asteraceae (Daisy)
Also in this family:
Alpine Blue Sow-thistle, Alpine Cotula, Alpine Fleabane, Alpine Saw-wort, Annual Ragweed, Annual Sunflower, Argentine Fleabane, Autumn Hawkbit, Autumn Oxeye, Beaked Hawksbeard, Beggarticks, Bilbao Fleabane, Black Knapweed, Black-eyed Susan, Blanketflower, Blue Fleabane, Blue Globe-thistle, Bristly Oxtongue, Broad-leaved Cudweed, Broad-leaved Ragwort, Brown Knapweed, Butterbur, Buttonweed, Cabbage Thistle, Canadian Fleabane, Canadian Goldenrod, Carline Thistle, Chalk Knapweed, Chamois Ragwort, Changing Michaelmas Daisy, Chicory, Chinese Mugwort, Chinese Ragwort, Coltsfoot, Common Blue Sow-thistle, Common Cat's-ear, Common Cudweed, Common Daisy, Common Dandelion, Common Fleabane, Common Goldenrod, Common Groundsel, Common Michaelmas Daisy, Common Mugwort, Common Ragwort, Common Wormwood, Coneflower, Confused Michaelmas Daisy, Corn Chamomile, Cornflower, Cotton Thistle, Cottonweed, Creeping Thistle, Daisy Bush, Dwarf Cudweed, Dwarf Thistle, Early Goldenrod, Eastern Groundsel, Eastern Leopardsbane, Elecampane, English Hawkweed, Fen Ragwort, Feverfew, Field Fleawort, Field Wormwood, Fox and Cubs, French Tarragon, Gallant Soldier, Garden Lettuce, Giant Butterbur, Glabrous-headed Hawkweed, Glandular Globe-thistle, Glaucous Michaelmas Daisy, Globe Artichoke, Globe-thistle, Goat's Beard, Golden Ragwort, Golden Samphire, Goldilocks Aster, Grass-leaved Goldenrod, Great Lettuce, Greater Burdock, Greater Knapweed, Grey-headed Hawkweed, Guernsey Fleabane, Hairless Blue Sow-thistle, Hairless Leptinella, Hairy Michaelmas Daisy, Harpur Crewe's Leopardsbane, Hawkweed Oxtongue, Heath Cudweed, Heath Groundsel, Hemp Agrimony, Highland Cudweed, Hoary Mugwort, Hoary Ragwort, Hybrid Knapweed, Intermediate Burdock, Irish Fleabane, Jersey Cudweed, Jerusalem Artichoke, Lance-leaved Hawkweed, Lavender-cotton, Leafless Hawksbeard, Least Lettuce, Leopardplant, Leopardsbane, Leptinella, Lesser Burdock, Lesser Hawkbit, Lesser Sunflower, London Bur-marigold, Magellan Ragwort, Marsh Cudweed, Marsh Hawksbeard, Marsh Ragwort, Marsh Sow-thistle, Marsh Thistle, Meadow Thistle, Melancholy Thistle, Mexican Fleabane, Milk Thistle, Mountain Everlasting, Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Musk Thistle, Narrow-leaved Cudweed, Narrow-leaved Hawkweed, Narrow-leaved Michaelmas Daisy, Narrow-leaved Ragwort, New England Hawkweed, New Zealand Holly, Nipplewort, Nodding Bur-marigold, Northern Hawksbeard, Norwegian Mugwort, Oxeye Daisy, Oxford Ragwort, Pearly Everlasting, Perennial Cornflower, Perennial Ragweed, Perennial Sow-thistle, Perennial Sunflower, Pineapple Mayweed, Plantain-leaved Leopardsbane, Ploughman's Spikenard, Plymouth Thistle, Pontic Blue Sow-thistle, Pot Marigold, Prickly Lettuce, Prickly Sow-thistle, Purple Coltsfoot, Rayed Tansy, Red Star Thistle, Red-seeded Dandelion, Red-tipped Cudweed, Robin's Plantain, Roman Chamomile, Rough Cocklebur, Rough Hawkbit, Rough Hawksbeard, Russian Lettuce, Safflower, Salsify, Saw-wort, Scented Mayweed, Scentless Mayweed, Sea Aster, Sea Mayweed, Sea Wormwood, Seaside Daisy, Shaggy Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Shaggy Soldier, Shasta Daisy, Shetland Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Shrub Ragwort, Sicilian Chamomile, Silver Ragwort, Slender Mugwort, Slender Thistle, Small Cudweed, Small Fleabane, Smooth Cat's-ear, Smooth Hawksbeard, Smooth Sow-thistle, Sneezeweed, Sneezewort, Spear Thistle, Spotted Cat's-ear, Spotted Hawkweed, Sticky Groundsel, Stinking Chamomile, Stinking Hawksbeard, Tall Fleabane, Tall Mouse-ear Hawkweed, Tansy, Thin-leaved Sunflower, Treasureflower, Trifid Bur-marigold, Tuberous Thistle, Tyneside Leopardplant, Viper's Grass, Wall Lettuce, Welsh Groundsel, Welted Thistle, White African Daisy, White Butterbur, White Buttons, Willdenow's Leopardsbane, Winter Heliotrope, Wood Burdock, Wood Ragwort, Woody Fleabane, Woolly Thistle, Yarrow, Yellow Chamomile, Yellow Fox and Cubs, Yellow Oxeye, Yellow Star Thistle, Yellow Thistle, York Groundsel
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Annual
Maximum Size:
50 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Fields, gardens, grassland, parks.

Flower:
֍
Yellow, many petals
 
Bright yellow, large daisy-like flower, up to 5cm across.
Fruit:
5 to 8-ribbed achenes.
Leaves:
Fleshy blue-green, pinnately-lobed chrysanthemum-like leaves. The leaves are smooth, not hairy and jaggedly-toothed.
Other Names:
Corn Daisy.
Frequency (UK):
Occasionally seen  

Similar Species

Other Information

Summary

Glebionis segetum, also known as corn marigold, is an annual flowering plant that is native to Europe and Asia. It typically grows to be a small plant, reaching heights of 12-18 inches. The plant has dark green leaves and produces large, bright yellow or orange flowers that are typically 2-3 inches in diameter. The flowers bloom in the summer and fall. This plant is often used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a cover crop. It is also used for medicinal purposes. The plant is considered as a weed in some parts of the world, as it can grow in large numbers and can outcompete other plants for resources.

Blog

Corn marigold, also known as Glebionis segetum or Chrysanthemum segetum, is a herbaceous annual plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is native to Europe and Western Asia and has been naturalized in other parts of the world, including North America. The plant is known for its bright yellow, daisy-like flowers that bloom during the summer months.

The corn marigold can grow up to 50 cm in height and has a single stem with multiple branches. The leaves are narrow and slightly serrated, and they grow alternately on the stem. The flowers are solitary and grow at the end of the branches. They are bright yellow with a dark yellow center and can grow up to 5 cm in diameter.

The corn marigold is a versatile plant and is often used for ornamental purposes in gardens and landscapes. Its bright yellow flowers make it an attractive addition to any garden, and it can be grown in a variety of soil types, including sandy and clay soils.

Apart from its ornamental use, corn marigold has a long history of medicinal use. It has been used for centuries as a traditional herbal remedy to treat various ailments, including digestive issues, respiratory problems, and skin conditions. The plant contains several bioactive compounds, including flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones, that are believed to be responsible for its medicinal properties.

In addition to its medicinal uses, corn marigold is also used in the agricultural industry. The plant is considered a weed in some parts of the world, and it is often found growing in cereal crops, such as wheat and barley. While the plant can be detrimental to crop yields if left unchecked, it can also have a positive impact on the soil. The corn marigold is known to have a deep taproot system that can help break up hard soils, improving soil structure and water retention.

Despite its benefits, the corn marigold is often considered a nuisance plant by farmers and gardeners. It can spread quickly and is difficult to control once it has become established. However, with proper management and care, the plant can be a valuable addition to any garden or landscape.

Corn marigold is also known to have some culinary uses. The plant's leaves are edible and can be used in salads or as a garnish. The flowers can be used to make a natural yellow dye that is often used in textiles and crafts.

In terms of ecology, corn marigold plays an important role in supporting pollinators. The bright yellow flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, making it an important plant for maintaining biodiversity.

However, it is important to note that corn marigold is toxic to some animals, including horses and cows. The plant contains sesquiterpene lactones, which can cause liver damage if ingested in large quantities. Farmers and gardeners should take care to prevent their livestock from accessing areas where corn marigold is growing.

Corn marigold has a rich cultural history as well. In ancient Greece and Rome, it was believed that the plant had magical properties and was associated with the goddesses of agriculture and fertility. The plant was also used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat various ailments, including fever, headaches, and menstrual cramps.

In some parts of Europe, corn marigold has been used in traditional folk remedies for centuries. It was believed to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties and was used to treat various conditions, including arthritis, gout, and rheumatism.

In modern times, corn marigold has been the subject of scientific research. Studies have shown that the plant contains several bioactive compounds that have potential therapeutic effects. For example, sesquiterpene lactones found in corn marigold have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties.

In addition, corn marigold extract has been shown to have a protective effect on the liver and may be useful in the treatment of liver disease. The plant also contains antioxidants, which can help protect against oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Corn marigold is also a source of inspiration for artists and writers. Its bright yellow flowers have been depicted in paintings, literature, and poetry for centuries. For example, Vincent van Gogh painted several still-life works featuring corn marigolds, and the plant is mentioned in works by poets such as John Keats and William Wordsworth.

In addition, corn marigold is a popular subject in botanical illustration. The plant's distinct yellow flowers and narrow leaves make it an interesting and challenging subject for artists to capture accurately.

Finally, corn marigold is an important plant for conservation efforts. In some parts of Europe, the plant is considered endangered due to habitat loss and the use of herbicides in agriculture. Conservation efforts are underway to protect and preserve the plant, including the creation of protected habitats and the development of alternative farming methods that do not rely on herbicides.

In conclusion, corn marigold is a plant with a rich history, many uses, and a diverse range of cultural and ecological significance. From its medicinal properties to its culinary uses and artistic inspiration, this plant has much to offer. As we continue to explore the potential of corn marigold, we may discover even more uses and benefits for this fascinating and valuable plant.


Video

Corn Marigolds filmed in Sizewell, Suffolk on the 1st July 2022.

 

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Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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