Common cow-wheat
Melampyrum pratense
Family: Orobanchaceae
Fire effect on plant
Common cow-what will be killed by fire.
Key traits
Common cow-wheat an annual semi-parasite of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). Its annual life history makes it unlikely that plants can survive fire. It is a small plant that becomes shaded out by tall heather growth and is stimulated by the open conditions created in the first few years after burning (Boyce, 2017; Ruokolainen & Salo, 2009 ). Germination of common cow-wheat is enhanced by burning on heathland sites, likely due to stimulation by high light availability (Boyce, 2017). Seed dispersal is predominantly via ants, with moderate dispersal distances (2–15m; Lososová et al, 2023)
Plant response to fire
Low-severity fires may increase abundance of common cow wheat, due to seedling emergence stimulated by the high light environment after fire. Competition and shading from other species will eventually cause the reduction of this species with time unless disturbed again. However, a high severity fire that burns into the soil may kill any seeds there and cause the loss of this species locally (Temperli, 2007).
Timing of life history
Annual species. Seeds produced within one growing season. Flowering May to September.
Conservation status
None.
References
Boyce, D. C. (2017) Exmoor moorland burning study 2011-2017. Unpublished report to Exmoor National Park Authority. ENPA, Dulverton. [Expert opinion; grey literature]
Lososová Z., Axmanová I., Chytrý M., Midolo G., Abdulhak S., Karger D.N., Renaud J., Van Es J., Vittoz P. & Thuiller W. (2023). Seed dispersal distance classes and dispersal modes for the European flora. Global Ecology and Biogeography, 32(9), 1485–1494 [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Ruokolainen, L., & Salo, K. (2009). The effect of fire intensity on vegetation succession on a sub-xeric heath during ten years after wildfire. Annales Botanici Fennici, 46(1), 30–42 [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]
Temperli, C. (2007) Vegetation dynamics after forest fire in comparison to the pre-fire state. MSc Thesis, ETH Zürich, Zurich, Switzerland [Empirical evidence; Academic literature]