Common Cow-wheat
CR

Common Cow-wheat

Melampyrum pratense

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melampyrum_pratense

Overview

Melampyrum pratense, the common cow-wheat, is a plant species in the family Orobanchaceae.

Common Cow-wheat (Melampyrum pratense) faces severe decline primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and changes in woodland management practices. As a hemiparasitic plant dependent on specific host species and particular light conditions, it is highly vulnerable to disruption of traditional extensive grazing systems and natural woodland dynamics.

Threat summary

Other threatened species in Orobanchaceae

LousewortVU

Lousewort

Pedicularis sylvatica

Unknown
Yellow-rattleVU

Yellow-rattle

Rhinanthus minor

Unknown
greater yellow-rattleCR

greater yellow-rattle

Rhinanthus alectorolophus

Unknown
Euphrasia dunensisCR

Euphrasia dunensis

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Common Cow-wheat classified as Critically Endangered?
Common Cow-wheat is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Common Cow-wheat (Melampyrum pratense) faces severe decline primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and changes in woodland management practices. As a hemiparasitic plant dependent on specific host species and particular light conditions, it is highly vulnerable to disruption of traditional extensive grazing systems and natural woodland dynamics.
Where does Common Cow-wheat live?
Common Cow-wheat occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Common Cow-wheat?
The main threats to Common Cow-wheat are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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