''Melampyrum lineare'', commonly called the narrowleaf cow wheat, is an herbaceous plant in the family

Orobanchaceae Orobanchaceae, the broomrapes, is a family of mostly parasitic plants of the order Lamiales, with about 90 genera and more than 2000 species. Many of these genera (e.g., ''Pedicularis'', ''Rhinanthus'', ''Striga'') were formerly included in the ...

. 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 A parasitic plant is a plant that derives some or all of its nutritional requirements from another living plant. They make up about 1% of angiosperms and are found in almost every biome. All parasitic plants develop a specialized organ called the ...

, 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

Four varieties have been considered. However, recent studies have cast doubt at the distinctiveness of these varieties, and the study recommends no recognition of them. Researchers have suggested the proposed varieties represent adaptations to varying habitats, and are not reproductively isolated. If recognized, the varieties are: *''M.'' ''lineare'' var. ''americanum'' - A northern taxon *''M.'' ''lineare'' var. ''latifolium'' - Native to dry outcrops in the Appalachian Mountains *''M.'' ''lineare'' var. ''lineare'' - Widespread in the northern United States and in southern Canada *''M.'' ''lineare'' var. ''pectinatum'' - Native to the eastern Coastal Plain, from Massachusetts to Virginia

References

Orobanchaceae Flora of North America {{Orobanchaceae-stub