Genus: Melampyrum — cow-wheat
Species in the genus Melampyrum show a lot of variability in degree of branching and in leaf size and shape, influenced by when they germinate and flower and the type of habitat they are growing in. Reference: de Soó and Webb (1972).
Family
Orobanchaceae (broom-rape family)
This genus’s species in New England
Visit this genus in the Dichotomous Key
![Plant form: Melampyrum lineare. ~ By Marilee Lovit. ~ Copyright © 2025 Marilee Lovit. ~ lovitm[at]gmail.com](https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-239x239/Orobanchaceae/melampyrum-lineare-ha-mlovit-a.jpg)
![Flowers: Melampyrum lineare. ~ By Marilee Lovit. ~ Copyright © 2025 Marilee Lovit. ~ lovitm[at]gmail.com](https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-239x239/Orobanchaceae/melampyrum-lineare-fl-mlovit-b.jpg)