Common Cow-wheat
ExplorePlants
Common Cow-wheat
Melampyrum pratense
Common Cow-wheat is a pretty plant with yellow flowers that bloom in summer. It grows in grassy places and is loved by bees and butterflies!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The Common Cow-wheat has slender stems and narrow, opposite leaves. Its tube-shaped flowers are typically bright yellow, often with a reddish or purplish tinge, appearing in leaf axils, and are visually distinct from grass or clover.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyOrobanchaceaeGenusMelampyrum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Bumblebees love visiting its unique tube-shaped flowers for a sugary nectar treat!
Cows and other grazing animals enjoy munching on this plant, giving it its 'cow' name!
Its seeds look surprisingly like tiny wheat grains, inspiring part of its name!
Young Cow-wheat leaves can sometimes show a lovely reddish or purple tint!
Special abilities
Ability
Root Robber
Common Cow-wheat can secretly tap into the roots of other plants to steal water and nutrients, helping it thrive.
Ability
Ant Taxi Service
This plant grows tasty treats on its seeds, so ants carry them to new spots for dispersal.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-50 cm
- Spread
- 5-15 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
parasitizes
Silver Birch
Betula pendula
Steals nutrients from its roots.
parasitizes
Pedunculate Oak
Quercus robur
Attaches to oak roots for extra water.
pollinates
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Visits flowers for nectar and pollen.
depends on
European Red Ant
Myrmica rubra
Ants carry its seeds for a treat.
Traits
Bell-Shaped Flower
Bell-shaped flowers possess petals fused or arranged to form a cup-like or campanulate structure resembling a bell.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Don't eat any plants without asking an adult first!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Common Cow-wheat?
10-50 cm
How wide does Common Cow-wheat spread?
5-15 cm
How big are the flowers on Common Cow-wheat?
1-2 cm
When does Common Cow-wheat bloom?
Summer
Is Common Cow-wheat edible?
No
Is Common Cow-wheat toxic?
None
What is Common Cow-wheat's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Common Cow-wheat pollinated?
Insect
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