Vaccaria

Vaccaria
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Core eudicots
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Caryophyllaceae
Genus: Vaccaria
Wolf
Species: V. hispanica
Binomial name
Vaccaria hispanica
(Mill.) Rauschert
Synonyms

Saponaria hispanica Mill.
 Saponaria vaccaria L.
Vaccaria pyramidata Medik.
Vaccaria segetalis (Neck.) Garcke ex Asch.
Vaccaria vaccaria (L.) Huth
Vaccaria vulgaris Host

Vaccaria is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the pink family containing the single species Vaccaria hispanica. It is known by several common names including cowherb, cowcockle, cow basil, cow soapwort, and prairie carnation. Its subspecies were previously treated as separate species.[1]

It is an annual herb with blue-gray, waxy herbage and pale pink flowers.

It is native to Eurasia but can be found in many other regions as an introduced species and a common weed.

The seeds of Vaccaria are used in Chinese medicine. This medicinal ingredient is known as Wang Bu Liu Xing. It is supposed to promote diuresis and milk secretion, activate blood circulation and relieve swelling.

References

  1. ↑ Flora of North America


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