Ontario Wildflowers website

Cowwheat
Melampyrum lineare

Cowwheat (Melampyrum lineare) Other common names: Narrowleaf Cowwheat

Family: Figwort Family (Scrophulariaceae)

Distinctive features: Tubular white flowers, yellow-tipped. Small plant.

Flowers: Summer;  White, Yellow;  Irregular flowers;  Tubular white, yellow-tipped. Small, only about 1/2" long.

Leaves: Opposite. Often the upper leaves have a few pointed teeth.

Height: 10-25 cm (4-10 in)

Habitat: Forests;  Open dry woods, bogs.

Books: Newcomb's Wildflower Guide: 76    Peterson's Field Guide to Wildflowers: 124   

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Uncommon.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: lineare: linear


Photographs: 40 photographs available, of which 5 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Cowwheat (Melampyrum lineare)

The tubular flower of Cowwheat. It is only about 1/2" long.

Cowwheat (Melampyrum lineare)

Note the uniquely-shaped leaves.

Cowwheat (Melampyrum lineare)

Cowwheat (Melampyrum lineare)

Some Cowwheat plants have more regular-shaped leaves.

Cowwheat (Melampyrum lineare)

And sometimes the leaves are narrow.


Range map for Cowwheat (Melampyrum lineare)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)