Morphological features and characteristics of cowherb (Vaccaria hispanica) seeds

CARYOPHYLLACEAE FAMILY. Capsules are oval, four-toothed. Seeds are spherical with a broad concave groove on the back (location of the radicle). The seed scar is oval. The surface is finely warty, matte or slightly glossy. Color is black or black-brown. Diameter 1.75–2.25 mm. Weight of 1000 seeds is 6–8 g. Up to 150,000 seeds per 1 kg. Infests grain crops, especially millet; grows along roadsides. Distribution: European part (north-western, central, and southern regions), Crimea, Caucasus, Western Siberia, Far East, Central Asia. Toxic properties: specified above.