Linear cow-wheat (Melampyrum lineare, Encycl. 4: 22 (1797))

Family: Orobanchaceae

Author: Lam.

Bibliography: Encycl. 4: 22 (1797)

Year: 1797

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Melampyrum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Canada to N. & E. U.S.A.

Description

Linear cow-wheat, scientifically recognized as Melampyrum lineare, is a fascinating species belonging to the Orobanchaceae family. It was first documented in 1797 by the renowned botanist Jean-Baptiste Lamarck, as detailed in the fourth volume of his Encyclopédie Méthodique.

This plant is native to a broad geographical range that extends from Canada through to the northern and eastern United States. Its habitat spans various regions, showcasing its adaptability to different environmental conditions.

Linear cow-wheat is characterized by its slender, linear foliage, which lends the plant its common name. It thrives in diverse ecosystems, often found in woodlands, meadows, and along forest edges where it can receive dappled sunlight. As a hemiparasitic plant, it partially relies on nearby host plants for nutrients, attaching to their roots and siphoning essential resources while still engaging in photosynthesis.

Flowering typically occurs in the summer months, producing delicate blooms that can vary in color from white to pale pink or light purple, adding a subtle touch of beauty to its surroundings. These flowers are not just visually appealing but also play a critical role in the plant’s reproductive cycle, attracting various pollinators that facilitate cross-pollination.

The study of Melampyrum lineare contributes significantly to our understanding of plant ecology and adaptation, underscoring the intricate relationships between parasitic plants and their hosts. Its widespread distribution across North America highlights its ecological importance and its potential influence on the biodiversity of the regions it inhabits.

In summary, Linear cow-wheat is more than just a plant; it is a remarkable part of the botanical world with a rich history and ecological significance, meriting its place in botanical literature and continued study within the field of plant sciences.

Common Names

Eng: linear cow-wheat, narrowleaf cowwheat, american cow-wheat, narrowleaf cow wheat, narrow-leaved cow-wheat
Fra: mélampyre linéaire
En: Linear cow-wheat, Narrowleaf cowwheat, American Cow-Wheat, Narrowleaf cow wheat, Narrow-leaved cow-wheat
Fr: Mélampyre linéaire

Synonyms

• Melampyrum pratense var. americanum ((Michx.) Benth.)
• Melampyrum lineare var. latifolium (W.P.C.Barton)
• Melampyrum lineare f. platyphyllum (Beauverd)
• Melampyrum lineare var. americanum ((Michx.) Beauverd)
• Melampyrum lineare subsp. pectinatum (Pennell)
• Melampyrum lineare subvar. brachycladum (Beauverd)
• Melampyrum brachiatum (Schwein.)
• Melampyrum lineare f. brachiatum (Beauverd)
• Melampyrum lineare subsp. typicum (Pennell)
• Melampyrum lineare var. pectinatum ((Pennell) Fernald)
• Melampyrum lineare f. stenophyllum (Beauverd)
• Melampyrum lanceolatum (Raf.)
• Melampyrum americanum (Michx.)

Distribution

• Alberta (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Montana (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Washington (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 11, 2013 by EOL − Ken-ichi Ueda (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 20, 2020 by p k (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 2, 2019 by parramon marta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2020 by gail page (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2019 by Offner-Kaller Gerda (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 14, 2021 by soffie (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2020 by catherine white (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2020 by catherine white (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2020 by catherine white (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2020 by catherine white (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 11, 2015 by EOL − Joe Walewski (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 17, 2015 by EOL − Fluff Berger (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2015 by EOL − James Mickley (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 25, 2015 by EOL − James Mickley (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 13, 2015 by EOL − Matt Rung (cc-by-nc)

Fruit

Taken Jul 24, 2019 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3171738)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:805695-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Melampyrum lineare Desr.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth