Yellow Rattle seed- Rhinanthus Minor , July 2015 Harvest.

This small plant plays a massive role in our wild flower meadow. It small yellow flowers are a favourite food source for bumble bee and the rivulet moth. It flowers from May to July and then dies shedding its seeds from its hollow pods which rattle in the wind, hence the name.

Yellow Rattle is a parasite on grasses and can help reduce its growth in the spring and this will lead to other seedlings being able to compete for light and thrive in a grass land where normally the grass wins. It is an annual and has developed a raft of special technique in beating the grass at its own game.

Yellow Rattle is a sought-after species for conservationists when trying to promote bio diversity in meadows. Its preferred habitat is calcercarouus or acidic grassland, mowed late every year. It will grow in neutral grass land as long as the fertility is low. It is found throughout Northern Europe but is quite rare due to the lack of hay meadows and modern farming practices. Its flowering period is between June and August. Sow the seed directly into grass for best results. Seed sown onto bare soil will often germinate then wither so it needs a friendly grass nearby to thrive. The sooner you can get it in the better, Autumn sowing only as it needs a frost to break its dormancy. Click on this link for more detailed growing instructions.

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