Yellow rattle

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• little yellow rattle
• Yellow Rattle
• Yellow-Rattle
• Common Yellow Rattle
• Narrow-leaved Yellow Rattle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Alectorolophus minor
• Fistularia minor
• Rhinanthus crista-galli var. minor
• Rhinanthus glaber subsp. minor
• Rhinanthus crista-galli subsp. minor
• Rhinanthus glaber var. minor

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Under the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls into the order Lamiales and is a member of the family Orobanchaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Rhinanthus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across several regions in Northern Europe. Specifically, its presence can be documented throughout the various landscapes of Denmark and Finland. It also thrives in the unique environments of the Faroe Islands, known as Føroyar. Furthermore, the species is found across the terrain of Great Britain. Finally, its geographical range extends to the northernmost reaches of Iceland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rhinanthus minor is characterized by its preference for diverse open landscapes, specifically thriving in habitats such as hills, dry meadows, and mountainous regions. As a hemi-parasitic species, it plays a unique role in its ecosystem by interacting with the root systems of surrounding vegetation. Its distribution is vertically constrained, as it occupies an elevational range that reaches a maximum of 1500 m AMSL. This positioning within varied terrains allows it to inhabit environments where soil moisture and competition levels fluctuate, contributing to the overall biodiversity of its native meadow and montane niches.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Habitat :

hills, meadows: dry, mountains

Life history

The life history of Rhinanthus minor is characterized by its existence as an annual plant, completing its entire reproductive cycle within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives unfavorable periods by producing seeds that remain dormant in the soil, rather than maintaining permanent vegetative structures above ground. This life form is further defined by its deciduous nature, as the plant withers completely after the seed maturation phase, leaving no persistent aerial parts. Consequently, its lifecycle is strictly governed by the seasonal availability of resources, relying on its seed bank to ensure continuity in successive generations.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Rhinanthus minor is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. This self-supporting plant lacks any climbing or epiphytic habits, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. In terms of stature, it exhibits a variable plant height, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.04 m to a maximum of 0.6 m, with an average height of approximately 0.379 m. Notably, the species functions as an obligatory parasite, a key biological trait that informs its structural development.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

obligatory

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height mean:

0.379 m

Plant height min:

0.04 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rhinanthus minor is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a standard carbon fixation method that facilitates growth in temperate environments. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies on traditional nutrient uptake through its root system rather than capturing prey. The morphological dimensions of its foliage show significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 2 cm to a maximum of 6 cm, resulting in a mean leaf length of 4 cm. The average leaf size is recorded at 3.60333 cm², which, when integrated with its biomass distribution, yields a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 198.01 cm²/g, reflecting the plant's strategy for balancing light interception and resource management.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

6 cm

Leaf length mean:

4 cm

Leaf length min:

2 cm

Leaf size mean:

3.60333 cm²

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

198.01 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rhinanthus minor is characterized by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily driven by insects, with a specific reliance on bees for successful fertilization. While self-fertilization is present within the species, asexual reproduction is absent. The flowering period typically commences in May and concludes in June. Following pollination, the plant develops a dehiscence-based fruit in the form of a capsule. These capsules are consistent in size, measuring approximately 0.8 cm in both length and width. The seeds contained within the fruit are quite small, with a mean seed mass of approximately 0.00248229166666667 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00187 g to a maximum of 0.0032 g. Once the capsule reaches maturity and undergoes dehiscence, the dispersal of seeds is achieved through an anemochorous syndrome, utilizing wind to spread the progeny.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit length max:

0.8 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed mass max:

0.0032 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00248229166666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00187 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Rhinanthus minor has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Rhamnetin, benzoic acid, myricetin, p-coumaric acid, rosmarinic acid.

Rhamnetin

1. Scientific reports

benzoic acid

1. Scientific reports

myricetin

1. Scientific reports

p-coumaric acid

1. Scientific reports

rosmarinic acid

1. Scientific reports

Activities

Rhinanthus minor has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibiotic.

Antibiotic

1. Scientific reports