Search Plants
Try for Free
English
About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Cow wheat (Melampyrum)
Cow wheat is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Orobanchaceae. They are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. 
Lifespan
Annual
Key Facts About Cow wheat
Feedback
Attributes of Cow wheat
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Scientific Classification of Cow wheat
Distribution of Cow wheat
Feedback
Distribution Map of Cow wheat
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Cow wheat
Feedback
Cow wheat, a genus of herbaceous plants, requires moderate lighting and should be kept in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. They thrive in mild temperature conditions. Gardeners may face challenges such as pests like beetles and diseases like rust fungus. Environmental sensitivity predominantly includes extreme temperatures and excessive sunlight. For seasonal considerations, these plants require more watering during the hotter seasons to compensate for transpiration losses, while colder seasons demand protection from frost and low temperatures.
How to Water Cow wheat?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Cow wheat?
How to Propagate Cow wheat?
How to Plant Cow wheat?
Exploring the Cow wheat Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Wood cow-wheat
Wood cow-wheat is a flowering annual native to Europe. Its early leaves are a blue color but turn green as they mature. Folklore supposes that when cows eat wood cow-wheat as fodder, the butter made from their milk is especially rich.
Common cow-wheat
Common cow-wheat grows on woodland edges, mostly in acidic soil. It's partly a parasitic plant, drawing on the nutrients obtained from surrounding plants. The larvae of the rare heath fritillary butterfly feed on common cow-wheat, and the plant attracts wood ants, which feed on a liquid it produces and then disperse its seeds.
Purple cow-wheat
Purple cow-wheat received its scientific name from the ancient Greeks, Melampyrum arvense, which translates into "black wheat." This refers to the color baked bread turns when seeds from purple cow-wheat mix with wheat, making the loaf discolored with odd black spots. The seeds are not poisonous, even if they discolor baked foods.
Rosy cow wheat
Rosy cow wheat is rare and newly-discovered, having been documented in one small area in China in only 2009. It is s a hemiparasite, commonly feeding on other plants, though it can survive without doing so. It acts as a caterpillar host plant for several moth species, including the mouse moth, which also acts as one of its pollinators.
Melampyrum laxum
Melampyrum laxum is a herbaceous plant typically found in open woods and grassy areas. It is distinguished by slender stems, lance-shaped leaves, and small, tubular yellow flowers with purplish accents. Melampyrum laxum's growth is attuned to partial shade, prospering in well-drained soils. Its delicate appearance belies a competitive nature, often hemiparasitic on the roots of neighboring plants to obtain nutrients.
American cow-wheat
American cow-wheat is scientifically called the Melampyrum lineare and is native to the northern United States and southern Canada. It can be found in a wide range of habitats and produces flowers in the summer.
Small cow-wheat
Although commonly confused with the Common cow-wheat (Melampyrum pratense), small cow-wheat differs in its flowers' downturned lower lips. It tends to be found growing in forest banks, wooded ravines, hollows, and the edge of cliffs. Small cow-wheat can become parasitic, stealing nutrients from neighboring plants.
Crested cow-wheat
The crested quail wheat resembles the meadow quail wheat at first sight. Its yellowish white flowers, however, are purple overflowing and stand in allernwendigen ears. He will be 10 to 50 cm tall. The leaves are 5 to 10 cm long and 3 to 12 mm wide. They are narrow to broadly lanceolate, pointed, entire, only the uppermost ones are toothed on both sides above their base.
All Species of Cow wheat
Wood cow-wheat
Wood cow-wheat
Wood cow-wheat is a flowering annual native to Europe. Its early leaves are a blue color but turn green as they mature. Folklore supposes that when cows eat wood cow-wheat as fodder, the butter made from their milk is especially rich.
Common cow-wheat
Common cow-wheat
Common cow-wheat grows on woodland edges, mostly in acidic soil. It's partly a parasitic plant, drawing on the nutrients obtained from surrounding plants. The larvae of the rare heath fritillary butterfly feed on common cow-wheat, and the plant attracts wood ants, which feed on a liquid it produces and then disperse its seeds.
Purple cow-wheat
Purple cow-wheat
Purple cow-wheat received its scientific name from the ancient Greeks, Melampyrum arvense, which translates into "black wheat." This refers to the color baked bread turns when seeds from purple cow-wheat mix with wheat, making the loaf discolored with odd black spots. The seeds are not poisonous, even if they discolor baked foods.
Rosy cow wheat
Rosy cow wheat
Rosy cow wheat is rare and newly-discovered, having been documented in one small area in China in only 2009. It is s a hemiparasite, commonly feeding on other plants, though it can survive without doing so. It acts as a caterpillar host plant for several moth species, including the mouse moth, which also acts as one of its pollinators.
Melampyrum laxum
Melampyrum laxum
Melampyrum laxum is a herbaceous plant typically found in open woods and grassy areas. It is distinguished by slender stems, lance-shaped leaves, and small, tubular yellow flowers with purplish accents. Melampyrum laxum's growth is attuned to partial shade, prospering in well-drained soils. Its delicate appearance belies a competitive nature, often hemiparasitic on the roots of neighboring plants to obtain nutrients.
American cow-wheat
American cow-wheat
American cow-wheat is scientifically called the Melampyrum lineare and is native to the northern United States and southern Canada. It can be found in a wide range of habitats and produces flowers in the summer.
Small cow-wheat
Small cow-wheat
Although commonly confused with the Common cow-wheat (Melampyrum pratense), small cow-wheat differs in its flowers' downturned lower lips. It tends to be found growing in forest banks, wooded ravines, hollows, and the edge of cliffs. Small cow-wheat can become parasitic, stealing nutrients from neighboring plants.
Crested cow-wheat
Crested cow-wheat
The crested quail wheat resembles the meadow quail wheat at first sight. Its yellowish white flowers, however, are purple overflowing and stand in allernwendigen ears. He will be 10 to 50 cm tall. The leaves are 5 to 10 cm long and 3 to 12 mm wide. They are narrow to broadly lanceolate, pointed, entire, only the uppermost ones are toothed on both sides above their base.
Melampyrum bihariense
Melampyrum bihariense
This is an annual plant. The new leaves are blue, turning green as they mature. They are usually toothed at the bases.
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants and unlimited guides at your fingertips...
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Botanist in your pocket
Scan the QR code with your phone camera to download the app
About
Key Facts
Distribution
How To Care
All Species
More Genus
Cow wheat
Melampyrum
Cow wheat is a genus of about 20 species of herbaceous flowering plants in the family Orobanchaceae. They are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Lifespan
Annual
Key Facts About Cow wheat
Feedback
Attributes of Cow wheat
Leaf type
Semi-evergreen
Scientific Classification of Cow wheat
Distribution of Cow wheat
Feedback
Distribution Map of Cow wheat
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
How to Grow and Care for Cow wheat
Feedback
Cow wheat, a genus of herbaceous plants, requires moderate lighting and should be kept in well-drained, slightly acidic soil. They thrive in mild temperature conditions. Gardeners may face challenges such as pests like beetles and diseases like rust fungus. Environmental sensitivity predominantly includes extreme temperatures and excessive sunlight. For seasonal considerations, these plants require more watering during the hotter seasons to compensate for transpiration losses, while colder seasons demand protection from frost and low temperatures.
How to Water Cow wheat?
What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Cow wheat?
How to Propagate Cow wheat?
How to Plant Cow wheat?
Exploring the Cow wheat Plants
Feedback
8 most common species：
Wood cow-wheat
Wood cow-wheat is a flowering annual native to Europe. Its early leaves are a blue color but turn green as they mature. Folklore supposes that when cows eat wood cow-wheat as fodder, the butter made from their milk is especially rich.
Common cow-wheat
Common cow-wheat grows on woodland edges, mostly in acidic soil. It's partly a parasitic plant, drawing on the nutrients obtained from surrounding plants. The larvae of the rare heath fritillary butterfly feed on common cow-wheat, and the plant attracts wood ants, which feed on a liquid it produces and then disperse its seeds.
Purple cow-wheat
Purple cow-wheat received its scientific name from the ancient Greeks, Melampyrum arvense, which translates into "black wheat." This refers to the color baked bread turns when seeds from purple cow-wheat mix with wheat, making the loaf discolored with odd black spots. The seeds are not poisonous, even if they discolor baked foods.
Rosy cow wheat
Rosy cow wheat is rare and newly-discovered, having been documented in one small area in China in only 2009. It is s a hemiparasite, commonly feeding on other plants, though it can survive without doing so. It acts as a caterpillar host plant for several moth species, including the mouse moth, which also acts as one of its pollinators.
Show More Species
All Species of Cow wheat
More Popular Genus
Feedback
Dracaena
Dracaena are popular house plants that are easy to grow. They can tolerate low-light conditions and require little watering. Their leaves range from variegated to dark green. Their characteristic traits include woody stems that grow slowly but offer a striking appearance for small spaces such as apartments or offices.
Fig trees
Fig trees have been cultivated in many regions for their fruits, particularly the common fig, F. carica. Most of the species have edible fruits, although the common fig is the only one of commercial value. Fig trees are also important food sources for wildlife in the tropics, including monkeys, bats, and insects.
Brambles
Brambles are members of the rose family, and there are hundreds of different types to be found throughout the European countryside. They have been culturally significant for centuries; Christian folklore stories hold that when the devil was thrown from heaven, he landed on a bramble bush. Their vigorous growth habit can tangle into native plants and take over.
Maples
The popular tree family known as maples change the color of their leaves in the fall. Many cultural traditions encourage people to watch the colors change, such as momijigari in Japan. Maples popular options for bonsai art. Alternately, their sap is used to create maple syrup.
Prunus
Prunus is a genus of flowering fruit trees that includes almonds, cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, and apricots. These are often known as "stone fruits" because their pits are large seeds or "stones." When prunus trees are damaged, they exhibit "gummosis," a condition in which the tree's gum (similar to sap) is secreted to the bark to help heal external wounds.
Nightshades
Nightshades is a large and diverse genus of plants, with more than 1500 different types worldwide. This genus incorporates both important staple food crops like tomato, potato, and eggplant, but also dangerous poisonous plants from the nightshade family. The name was coined by Pliny the Elder almost two thousand years ago.
Roses
Most species of roses are shrubs or climbing plants that have showy flowers and sharp thorns. They are commonly cultivated for cut flowers or as ornamental plants in gardens due to their attractive appearance, pleasant fragrance, and cultural significance in many countries. The rose hips (fruits) can also be used in jams and teas.
Oaks
Oaks are among the world's longest-lived trees, sometimes growing for over 1,000 years! The oldest known oak tree is in the southern United States and is over 1,500 years old. Oaks produce an exceedingly popular type of wood which is used to make different products, from furniture and flooring to wine barrels and even cosmetic creams.
Your Ultimate Guide to Plants
Identify grow and nurture the better way!
17,000 local species +400,000 global species studied
Nearly 5 years of research
80+ scholars in botany and gardening
Continue reading in our app - it's better
A database of 400000+ plants
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
unlimited guides at your fingertips...
