Broad-fruited Cornsalad
Valerianella rimosa
Broad-fruited Cornsalad is a small annual herb in the valerian family, characterized by its distinctive broad, winged fruits and small white or pale pink flowers arranged in dense clusters. This low-growing plant typically reaches 10-40cm in height with spoon-shaped leaves and plays a role in supporting early-season pollinators when few other flowers are available.
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Helder Santiago, algunos derechos reservados (CC BY-NC), subido por Helder Santiago
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Dipsacales
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Genus
Valerianella
Broad-fruited Cornsalad belongs to the family Caprifoliaceae, order Dipsacales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Broad-fruited Cornsalad is a small annual herb in the valerian family, characterized by its distinctive broad, winged fruits and small white or pale pink flowers arranged in dense clusters. This low-growing plant typically reaches 10-40cm in height with spoon-shaped leaves and plays a role in supporting early-season pollinators when few other flowers are available.
Broad-fruited Cornsalad is critically endangered primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development that has eliminated most of its native grassland and arable field margin habitats. The species has experienced severe population declines across its European range, with many historical populations now extinct due to changes in farming practices and land use conversion.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Broad-fruited Cornsalad grows in disturbed calcareous soils of arable field margins, fallow agricultural land, and traditional extensively-managed farmland. It particularly favors nutrient-poor, well-drained chalky or limestone-derived soils in areas with minimal chemical inputs.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Broad-fruited Cornsalad is critically endangered primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development that has eliminated most of its native grassland and arable field margin habitats. The species has experienced severe population declines across its European range, with many historical populations now extinct due to changes in farming practices and land use conversion.
Agricultural intensification and habitat loss
Loss of traditional farming practices
Urban development and land conversion
Competition from invasive species
Habitat fragmentation
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Broad-fruited Cornsalad (Valerianella rimosa). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/broad-fruited-cornsalad