trefle.io · Taken Jun 10, 2018 by Heinz Gass (cc-by-sa)
Orobanchaceae
European yellow rattle
Rhinanthus alectorolophus
Also known as Hay rattle, Yellow rattle, Rattlebox, Alectorolophus ellipticus
Native Plants · Yellow Rattle · Wildflower · Semi-Parasitic · Meadow · Grass Suppressor · European Wildflower · Orobanchaceae · Annual · Pollinator · Meadow Restoration
European yellow rattle is a semi-parasitic annual that attaches to the roots of grasses, making it a specialist plant best suited to wildflower meadow restoration projects. It requires an established grass host and well-drained, low-fertility soil in a sunny to partly shaded position. Sow seeds in autumn directly into a prepared meadow area and avoid fertilising, as rich soils will suppress this plant.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water moderately to keep soil moist; avoid overwatering as plant is semi-parasitic on grass roots · Every 7-10 days; relies heavily on rainfall in naturalistic settings
- Maintenance
- High
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 7–7.5
- Temperature
- -25°F to 85°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 4b-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 12 in – 3 ft
- Spread
- 2 ft
- Spacing
- 6 in apart
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- No
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Central European Rus, Corse, Czechoslovakia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Switzerland, Ukraine, Yugoslavia
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies
Sources: trefle
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