Yellow Rattle

This partially parasitic plant derives water and minerals from the adjoining root systems of grasses. The small, rather squat, yellow flowers have two lips, with tiny violet teeth on the upper lip. The calyx is extremely inflated and, when ripe and dry, the enclosed capsule and its seeds rattle when moved by the wind. The narrow leaves are dark green.


LEAVES : Opposite, lance-shaped, unstalked.

PLANT HEIGHT : 20–40cm.

FLOWERING TIME : May–August.

FRUIT : Round capsule, with a short beak, enclosing winged seeds.

FLOWER SIZE : 1.3–1.5cm long.

SIMILAR SPECIES : Yellow Archangel ; Common Cow-wheat.