Common Cow Wheat


Common Cow Wheat
Taken at Ambleside on 16th July 2019 using Panasonic Lumix LX5 in macro mode.

Taken at Derwent Water on 1st July 2015 using Panasonic Lumix LX5 in macro mode.

Common Cow Wheat.

Species:
Order;
Family:
Habit:
Local Names:

Melampyrum pratense.
Lamiales.
Orobanchaceae.
Annual Herb.

Habitat:

Height:
Flowers:
Feature:

Dryish and young moors, rocky outcrops, firm dryish ground and lower tundra areas.
10 - 40 cms.
June - August
The seed of this plant is attractive to wood ants. The ants disperse the seeds when they take them back to their nests to feed their young. It is a food plant of the caterpillars of the Heath Fritillary.