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Yellow Rattle Wikimedia Commons
Orobanchaceae

Yellow Rattle

Rhinanthus minor

Meadow harmony.

Family
Orobanchaceae
Genus
Rhinanthus
Native to
Europe, Northern Asia
Bloom season
Spring, Summer
Type
annual herb
Height
0.3-1.5 ft
Sunlight
full sun
Soil
well-drained, low fertility
Water
moderate
Hardiness
3-8
Lifespan
annual

Did you know

  • Yellow rattle is a hemiparasite that taps into grass roots, weakening them and allowing wildflowers to flourish in meadows.
  • Its ripe seed pods rattle when shaken, and traditionally, hay meadows were mown when the rattling could be heard.
  • It is considered the single most important plant for wildflower meadow restoration in Britain.
  • The genus name Rhinanthus means 'nose flower' in Greek, referring to the beak-shaped upper lip of the flower.
  • Seeds require a period of cold stratification to germinate, making autumn sowing essential.

Color meanings

0

interdependence

1

natural balance

2

simplicity

Uses

  • meadow restoration
  • ecological management
  • wildflower gardens