Melampyrum nemorosum

Wood cow-wheat (Melampyrum nemorosum) is an herbaceous flowering plant in the family Orobanchaceae. It is native to Europe. In Sweden it is called natt och dag (Night and Day). In Russia it is called Ivan-da-Marya (Ivan and Maria), a Christianisation of the traditional Slavic Kupalo-da-Mavka (Kupalo-and-Mavka). This is an annual plant. The new leaves are blue, turning green as they mature. They are usually toothed at the bases. This plant is a host to the rust fungus Coleosporium melampyri und Cronartium flaccidum with the associated uredium and telium.

Description

A temperate herb in the family Orobanchaceae with edible flowers.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

The flowers are eaten fresh as a snack.

Traditional Uses

The flowers are eaten fresh as a snack.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Europe, Latvia,

Also Known As

Pukites dzeltenas ar zilu

References (1)

• Pruse, B., et al, 2021, Active Wild Food Practices among Culturally Diverse Groups in the 21st Century across Latgale, Latvia. Biology 2021, 10, 551.

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