Melampyrum arvense L. Field cow-wheat

Melampyrum arvense L. - Field cow-wheat

Scientific Description:

Annual, eglandular-strigulose. Stems (8−)25−50 cm, with spreading branches. Leaves 30−75 × 1−17 mm, oblong-elliptic to linear, entire or upper toothed, sessile. Inflorescence spike-like, ± cylindrical; bracts pinnatifid with linear to filiform teeth, cream, pinkish to purple, 18−28 × 7−17 mm. Pedicels absent or to 1 mm. Calyx 10−20 mm, strigulose; tube 4−7 mm; teeth (4−)9−13 mm. Corolla 16−27 mm, white, yellow or purplish-pink with a yellow or white throat; tube 10−20 mm; throat ± closed; lower lip with upturned margins. Capsule oblong-ovate, 7−10 × 3−6.5 mm, 2-seeded.

 

var. arvense

Leaves usually 4−17 mm broad.

 

Flowering time: May−September.

Habitat: Pastures in Quercus L. and Fagus L. scrub, rocky slopes, cornfields, 150−2100 m.

 

Reference:

Hedge IC (1978). Melampyrum arvense L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 6: 755.

Public Description:

Melampyrum arvense var. arvense, commonly known as “field cow-wheat”, is native to Türkiye and Western Europe. It is an annual plant with yellow, white or purplish-pink flowers, and grows up to 50 cm in length. It blooms between May and September and is found in pastures in oak and beech scrub, rocky slopes and cornfields.

 

References:

Anonymous (2016). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melampyrum_arvense/,Accessed date: 17.09.2016.

Güner E D (2012) Melampyrum L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 653.