Melampyrum

Meadows Cow-wheat ( Melampyrum pratense)

The genus cow-wheat ( Melampyrum ) belongs to the family of the broomrape family ( Orobanchaceae ).

The botanical name is derived from the Field Cow- wheat (M. arvense). Earlier, it was due to contamination with cow-wheat seed into flour poisoning and blackening of bread come (Greek melas = black, pyros = wheat).

The interpretation of the German name refers to the supposed preference of quail for the seeds of the plants.

All species of the genus are semi- parasites.

Toxicity

The plants of the genus are toxic by the glycoside aucubin.

Types (selection)

• Cow-wheat ( Melampyrum ) Field Cow- wheat (M. arvense L.)
• Bart Cow-wheat (M. barbatum Waldst. & Kit. Ex Willd. )
• Melampyrum bihariense A. Kerner
• Melampyrum bohemicum A. Kerner
• Melampyrum catalaunicum Freyn
• Melampyrum ciliatum Boiss. & Heldr.
• Crested Cow- wheat (M. cristatum L.)
• Melampyrum doerfleri Ronniger
• Melampyrum fimbriatum Vandas
• Melampyrum heracleoticum Boiss. & Orph.
• Melampyrum herbichii Wołoszczak
• Melampyrum hoermannianum K. Maly
• Melampyrum italicum Soó
• Hain Cow-wheat (M. nemorosum L.)
• Polish cow-wheat (M. polonicum ( Beauverd ) Soó )
• Meadows Cow-wheat (M. pratense L.)
• Melampyrum saxosum Baumg.
• Melampyrum scardicum Wettst.
• Narrow- leaf Cow-wheat (M. subalpinum ( Juratzka ) A. Kerner )
• Forest Cow-wheat (M. sylvaticum L.)
• Melampyrum trichocalycinum Vandas
• Melampyrum vaudense ( Ronniger ) Soó
• Melampyrum velebiticum Borbás