There are two plants at the Birks of Aberfeldy which are National rarities - Small Cow Wheat an Lesser Hairy Brome.
Small Cow Wheat (Melampyrum sylvaticum)
This yellow flower is what is known as a hemiparasite. That is it derives food and moisture from other plants but is able to photosynthesise itself and can exist independently.
The flowers are smaller and a deeper yellow than those of Cow Wheat (Melampyrum pratense).
The lower lip of small cow-wheat’s corolla is bent downwards, whereas that of common cow-wheat is straight.