Kingdom Plantae Family Orobanchaceae Scientific name Melampyrum lineare Rank Species | Order Lamiales Genus Melampyrum Higher classification Melampyrum | |
 | ||
Similar Melampyrum, Scrophulariaceae, Maianthemum canadense, Vascular plant, Clintonia borealis | ||
Melampyrum lineare, commonly called the narrowleaf cow wheat, is an herbaceous plant in the family Orobanchaceae. It is native to North America, where it is found in southern Canada and the northern United States, with an extension south in the Appalachian Mountains. It has a wide habitat tolerance, but is usually found in drier and somewhat exposed woodlands.
This species is hemiparasitic, meaning it receives energy from both photosynthesis and root parasitism. It is an herbaceous plant that grows in clumps about a 12 inches high. Its leaves are opposite and lanceolate to linear. It produces tubular cream-colored flowers in the summer.
Taxonomy
Three varieties are considered quite distinct, and perhaps worthy of recognition at the species level. A fourth variety, M. lineare var. americanum, has been recognized by previous researchers as a more northern taxon. However, it is doubtfully distinct from var. lineare.
The three varieties are:
