Yellow-rattle

Common Name: Yellow-rattle

Latin Name: Rhinanthus minor

Family: Scrophulariaceae

The yellow-rattle or hay-rattle is so called because of the sound of the ripe seed rattling inside the seed-capsules. This annual plant is unusual in that it is semi-parasitic and gains part of its water and nutrient requirements by parasitizing the roots of grasses and other herbs.

Yellow-rattle is often a component of the species-rich upland hay meadow. Recent trials have used this species in hay meadow restoration projects to reduce the domination of vigorous and dominant grasses and herbs such as perennial-rye grass (Lolium pratense) and white clover (Trifolium repens).

Yellow-rattle is not common in the Yorkshire Dales National Park however it can be found in some good examples of species-rich upland hay meadows in Wensleydale, upper Swaledale and through the Hay Time project (website opens in new window). As an annual its survival depends upon seed being shed before the grass is cut for fodder. Therefore the best time to see this species in the Dales is in June.