FIELD COW-WHEAT Melampyrum arvense

Field Cow-wheat is an extremely rare flower, which produces large, striking magenta and yellow blooms. 

Despite it's non-native designation, it emains a high conservation priority species and is listed as ENDANGERED on the Great Britain Red List and is protected under Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The seeds have a fleshy oil rich part (an elaiosome) that attracts ants, which carry the seeds underground, aiding their dispersal.

An annual hemiparasite, mainly on the roots of grasses. Formerly an arable weed, it now occurs at just a handful of sites in the UK in open grassland beside hedges, ditch-banks and field-borders. Our plants are derived from a previous conservation programme in south of England. This is the first year we have been able to sell this amazing species and have a very small number available. 

NB. It is very important that the pot in which the plant is supplied, is NOT weeded, as these are the host plants. Please also note that plants will be sent out early in June.