Cornflower

Symbol of the armistice

Everyone adores the sky-blue cornflower. Together with the poppy the cornflower grows in fields and along roadside verges, flower symbolising fleeting love. It is the national flower of Estonia where it represents the daily bread: a nice idea because the cornflower traditionally grows in cornfields that are not over fertilised or sprayed to destruction with pesticides. In France the cornflower symbolises the armistice of 11 November 1918.

It has also been used as a herbal remedy: an extract of cornflowers was believed to be effective against some eye infections. The flower heads were used as a diuretic and for rheumatism. The dried leaves can also be added to tea.

Ecology and habitat

Cyanus segetum originates in Europe and Asia. It is globally widespread in temperate regions and has been introduced to Australia and North America. At the end of the last ice age the cornflower was one of the species colonising the treeless tundra; since the Middle Ages it is the species of wheat fields. The cornflower prefers sunny, open habitats with moderately dry, moderately nutrient rich, ploughed soil. It is an annual, a pioneer and so survives well in corn fields, sometimes also along railway cuttings and temporary fallow land.

Threats

In the Netherlands the cornflower is relatively rare the east or middle of the country, and in southern Limburg. Fields of blue cornflowers have become scarce. As a result of too intensive agriculture this flower is rapidly being forced out of West Europe. Excessive use of herbicides, efficient seed treatment and the use of fertilizer have all been detrimental to the survival of the cornflower.