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Ivan da Maria
Melampyrum nemorosum
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Ivan da Maria is an annual woodland wildflower that partly feeds on the roots of nearby plants. It is easy to notice by its bright yellow flowers set against striking violet, leaf-like pieces under the flowers. It grows in light, fresh woods and groves across Central and Eastern Europe.
Did you know?
- When it dries, the whole plant darkens to black.
- Sometimes the colored pieces under the flowers are yellow‑white instead of violet.
About the species
Identification
An upright, much‑branched annual, 20–40 cm tall. Leaves stand in pairs along the stem; lower ones are narrow with smooth edges. Just below the flowers are broader, jagged, often violet to blue‑purple leaf‑like pieces; lower ones resemble the stem leaves, upper ones are shorter and hairy at the base. Flowers are bright yellow with a curved tube and a two‑lipped mouth, 1.5–2 cm long, forming a one‑sided cluster at the top; the lowest flower pairs may be a bit spaced out. Flat oval pods hold only 2–4 large egg‑shaped seeds. Easily told from similar relatives by the showy purple pieces under the flowers. Flowers in Finland in June–July.
Plant group
Herbaceous plants
Habitat
heath forest
Flowering
Jun–Jul
About the habitat
Grows in fresh, light to moderately shaded forests and rich groves, in thickets and on meadowy slopes. Local in southern Finland; many occurrences are likely from sown origins.
Sources
Photo: Stanislav Murashkin, CC BY 4.0 https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/6320970798
Text: Pinkka: Laaja maatalouslajintuntemus 4 op - Koppisiemeniset, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.39631
Text: Pinkka: Kasvitieteen retkeily Ahvenanmaalle - Nåtön biologinen asema, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.39631
Text: Wikipedia (Finnish), CC BY-SA 4.0 https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lehtomaitikka
