A welcome parasite.

A few days ago Knottman poked a little gentle fun at a parasitic broomrape.

On my walk this morning I was reminded that there is a parasitic plant which is very welcome. This is Yellow Rattle, Rhinanthus minor. A small group of seedheads are shown above from a field with several flowers. The seeds rattle inside those heads which has given rise to other names such as Rattlebaskets.

Why is it welcome. Well it is parasitic on the roots of coarse grasses. If you are trying to create a wild flower meadow you may find that the clovers, buttercups and many others cannot get going because they are crowded out by strong grasses. Sow Yellow Rattle and it will weaken those grasses giving your wild flowers a much better chance of getting established. And the Rattle wil itself look good too.