Yellow-rattle (Rhinanthus minor, Amoen. Acad. 3: 54 (1756))

Family: Orobanchaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Amoen. Acad. 3: 54 (1756)

Year: 1756

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Rhinanthus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Russian Far East

Description

Yellow-rattle, scientifically known as Rhinanthus minor, is an intriguing flowering plant that captivates botanists and ecologists alike. First chronicled in 1756 in “Amoenitates Academicae” by Carl Linnaeus, a pivotal figure in the classification of living organisms, this plant is noted for its distinctive appearance and unique ecological role.

Belonging to the family Orobanchaceae, Yellow-rattle has a fascinating life strategy. It is partially parasitic, drawing nutrients from the roots of neighboring plants. This characteristic plays a significant role in its native habitats, which span from Europe to the Russian Far East. By weakening dominant grasses through its parasitic relationships, Yellow-rattle helps promote biodiversity. It creates niches that allow less competitive plant species to thrive, thus enhancing the floral diversity of meadows and grasslands.

The plant is recognizable by its striking yellow flowers, which form small, rattling pods as they mature—hence its common name. These pods contain seeds that, when shaken by the wind or passing animals, make a noticeable rattling sound. This mechanism aids in seed dispersal, ensuring the propagation of the species across its extensive range.

Ecologists have found Yellow-rattle to be an ally in meadow restoration projects. By reducing the vigor of aggressive grasses through its parasitic tendencies, it helps create a more balanced plant community. This promotes the establishment and maintenance of diverse grassland ecosystems, which are crucial for supporting wildlife and maintaining soil health.

Overall, Rhinanthus minor or Yellow-rattle is much more than a mere component of the landscape; it is a dynamic participant in the ecological processes of its habitats. As researchers continue to study its interactions and impact, they uncover the profound ways in which this small plant influences the natural world around it.

Common Names

Deu: kleiner klappertopf
Dan: liden skjaller
Eng: little yellow rattle, yellow-rattle, common yellow rattle, hay rattle, rattlebox, yellow rattle
Nld: kleine ratelaar
Swe: pikkulaukku, ängsskallra, liten höskallra
Fin: pikkulaukku
Fra: rhinanthe à petites fleurs, petit rhinanthe, cocriste, petite cocriste, rhinanthe crête-de-coq, rhinanthe mineure, rhinanthe petite
Nno: småengkall
Nob: småengkall
Sme: ruhtarássi
Cym: arian cor, arian gweirwyr, arian gwion, arian y bladurwr, arian y meirch, clych y meirch, coden grimp, cribell ceiliog, cribell felen, cribellau melyn, pensiarad, tegan y baban
Gla: bainne nan luch, bodach nan claigeann, bodaich nan claigeann, modhalan buidhe
Kat: ხრიალა
En: Yellow-rattle, Cockscomb rhinanthus, Little yellow rattle, Little yellowrattle, Yellow Rattle, Common yellow rattle, Hay rattle, Rattlebox
Ca: Esquellada petita
Cs: Kokrhel menší
Da: Liden skjaller
Nl: Kleine ratelaar
Fi: Pikkulaukku
Fr: Rhinanthe à petites fleurs, Petit rhinanthe, Cocriste, Petite cocriste, Rhinanthe crête-de-coq, Rhinanthe mineure, Rhinanthe petite, Petit cocriste
Ka: Ხრიალა
De: Kleiner Klappertopf
It: Cresta di gallo minore
Se: Ruhtarássi
Nb: Småengkall
Nn: Småengkall
Gd: Bainne nan Luch, Bodach nan claigeann, Bodaich nan claigeann, Modhalan buidhe
Sk: Štrkáč menší
Sv: Ängsskallra, Pikkulaukku, Liten höskallra
Cy: Arian Cor, Arian Gweirwyr, Arian Gwion, Arian y Bladurwr, Arian y Meirch, Clych y Meirch, Coden Grimp, Cribell Ceiliog, Cribell Felen, Cribellau Melyn, Pensiarad, Tegan y Baban

Synonyms

• Rhinanthus crista-galli subsp. minor ((L.) Bonnier & Layens)
• Rhinanthus glaber subsp. minor ((L.) Schübl. & G.Martens)
• Rhinanthus crista-galli var. minor ((L.) Hartm.)
• Alectorolophus phallax var. hispanicus (Sennen & Elías)
• Rhinanthus minor var. angustifolius (Gren.)
• Fistularia minor ((L.) Kuntze)
• Rhinanthus minor subvar. pubescens (Merino)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Føroyar (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Greenland (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Labrador (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• New Brunswick (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• Northwest Territorie (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Saskatchewan (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Jul 27, 2017 by Salvador Prat Oller (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 22, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 12, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Roberto Righini (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 2, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 12, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 3, 2020 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2020 by William Galigani (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2018 by Marcos Rivas Campoamor (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 9, 2021 by Laurent GUILLAUME (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2021 by Jean-Francois Julien (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2021 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 29, 2022 by Jenn (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2020 by sergio Chiesa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2021 by patryheavymetal4ever (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jun 14, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Jacques HOUDRÉ (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3172043)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30116962-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Rhinanthus minor L.)
• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)

Specifications

Growth form: Bunch

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Soil nutriments: 3