Lychnis flos-cuculi

Illustration of a Ragged Robin ( Lychnis flos- cuculi )

The Ragged Robin ( Lychnis flos- cuculi, syn. Silene flos- cuculi ) is a plant in the carnation family ( Caryophyllaceae ). A number of plant species bears the cuckoo in the name. In this species the flowering period in May, June is associated with the call of the cuckoo. The genus name comes from the Greek Lychnis term for light ( lamp) and refers to the bright red, with the kind of flowers in spring.

Description

The Ragged Robin is a short lived perennial herbaceous plant that reaches the plant height of 30 to 90 cm. There are rosettes of leaves, short stems without flowers and tall, erect, flowering stem forms a. The stalked basal leaves are ciliate on the edge and spatelartig formed. The upper permanent against stem leaves are lanceolate.

The flowering period extends from May to July. It is formed a loose, trugdoldiger inflorescence. The flowers are mostly hermaphrodite, but are also all-female and all-male plant specimens before. The flowers are fünfzählig double perianth and possess a diameter of about 4 centimeters. The five sepals are fused to a 6 to 10 millimeters long, ten annoying, glabrous calyx tube. The five petals are 15-25 mm long and slotted four -deep, they constitute a secondary crown. While most plant specimens bloom red, but there are also white copies. There are five pen available.

The spherical with a diameter of up to 8 mm fruit capsule opens up with five teeth. There she dismisses dark brown, kidney-shaped, about 1 millimeter seeds whose surface is densely covered with tiny spikes. Fruit ripening takes place from July to October.

The chromosome number is n = 12

Ecology

The Ragged Robin is a Hemikryptophyt and a half evergreen rosette plant. In the ecological indicator values ​​according to Ellenberg the type is specified as a semi shade plant for moderately warm maritime climate. The displayed soil is highly variable wet.

At their stems not rarely found white foamy masses with the larvae of there plant juices sucking Schaumzikade ( Philaenus spumerius ). These foam structures are popularly called " cuckoo saliva " because they have been associated with the return of the cuckoo in early May. The same phenomenon is found at the Meadow Cress ( Cardamine pratensis).

The flowers are vormännliche " stem plate flowers". The stalk among the nodes ( more nodes ) is sticky; which causes a Aufkriechschutz against smaller insects.

Through the parted petals increased attraction of pollinators is achieved. The corona, the " crown " is an extension of the " corolla ". The free petals are joined together through the tube-like calyx tube into one. Pollination is by insects. Because of the deep calyx but do so only langrüsselige insects such as butterflies and bees langrüsselige able. Also, self-pollination is possible.

Jump with five curved outwardly projecting teeth, the capsule fruit in dry and sprinkle the seeds from the wind and animal shakers.

Vegetative propagation is done by runners, this often leads to greater plant populations.

Occurrence

The Ragged Robin is native to the temperate regions of Europe and West Asia at altitudes of up to 2000 meters. In the 19th century it was introduced to America, where it spread. It prefers moist, moderately rich meadows, marshes and swamps. In heavily fertilized lawns you can not find it, but in wet, nutrient-poor environment in the trenches.

Use

Previously, Ragged Robin had little significance in folk medicine. Today it is used as an ornamental plant in gardens or at garden ponds.

Sources and further information

The article is mainly based on the following documents:

• Dietmar Aichele, Marianne Golte - Bechtle: What flowers there? Wild growing flowering plants in Central Europe, Stuttgart, Franckh cosmos, 54th Edition, 1991, ISBN 3-440-05615-5. Ragged Robin on page 242
• Ruprecht Duell, Herfried Kutzelnigg: Pocket Dictionary of Plants in Germany and neighboring countries. 7th edition, Quelle & Meyer Verlag, 2011, ISBN 978-3-494-01424-1