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Annual Biennial

Rhinanthus minor
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

yellow rattle

An annual about 30-50cm tall with simple or branched stems bearing narrowly lance-shaped, nettle-like dark green leaves and tubular, 2-lipped yellow flowers with brown or purple teeth, within a bladdery, inflated calyx, the seeds rattling inside when ripe

Other common names
corn rattle
hay rattle
see morepenny grass
rattle grass

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring
Summer Yellow Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Orobanchaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming
Genus

Rhinanthus are annuals with opposite, toothed leaves and terminal, leafy spikes of tubular, 2-lipped flowers in summer

Name status

Correct

Plant range
N Hemisphere

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow as semi-parasitic plant amongst grasses in meadows or prairies where it will reduce the vigour of grasses

Propagation

Propagate by seed in late summer to the end of the year, or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildflower meadow
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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