COW-WHEAT 



Large bees have to push into the upper part of the corolla to insert 

 the proboscis between the anther-stalks above and touch the hairs. 

 The latter catch the pollen on the way. The bees touch the stigma, 

 and cross-pollination may result. Bees bite the base of the tube to get 

 at the honey. When they do not visit the flowers the anther-stalks 

 become limp, the an- 

 thers separate, and 

 the style now bent 

 down is touched with 

 pollen. Ants cause 

 honey to be secreted 

 after the flower fades, 

 contrary to the usual 

 rule. 



The capsule when 

 ripe splits open, allow- 

 ing the 4 seeds to 

 fall out, and to be 

 blown by the wind a 

 short distance, but the 

 plant usually grows in 

 patches. The seeds 

 mimic the chrysalis of 

 the ant in size and 

 colour, having a black 

 spot at the end. The 

 ants disperse the seeds, 

 considering them to 

 be chrysalises. 



Cow-wheat is fond 

 of peat, requiring a 

 peaty soil. A moth, 



Lead-coloured Pug (Eupithecia plumbeolata), and two beetles, Meli- 

 gethes cervinus, M. kunzei, feed on it. 



Melampyrum, Theophrastus, is Greek for black wheat, because it 

 resembles wheat, and the second name refers to its habitat, moist 

 meadows. Black Corn is another name for Cow-wheat. 



The seeds when used for bread (as they have been) colour it black. 

 The plant affords good fodder for cattle, and Linneeus says butter 

 from cows fed on it is very rich and deep yellow. It used formerly 

 to be cultivated in Holland and by the Flemish. 



Photo, flatters & Gar 



COW-WHEAT (Melampyrum pratense, L.) 



VOL. V. 



70 



