Description

This is one of our hemiparasitic plants, meaning they can generate some of their own food through photosynthesis, but do better with supplementing nutrients from a host plant. They do this utilizing specialized root structures called haustoria that inject into the root system of the host. Ours are paired with appropriate native host species, but Yellow Rattle can also be used to weaken non-natives to give native species an advantage for re-establishment. This species naturally occurs in meadows in full sun with medium moisture. The flowers are yellow and fruit capsules follow. As they dry out, the seed inside is able to rattle around, hence the plant’s common name.