Yellow Rattle (rhinanthus minor)

This is a very special plant. It takes its name from the fact that when the seeds form inside dried out pods they rattle in the wind.

What's special about this plant is that it partly feeds off the roots of grasses. Once it has attached itself to the roots of grasses it feeds on their nutrients and therefore weakens the growth of the grass. This means it can reduce the competition for other plants, making it easier for them to establish and grow and adding diversity, which is always great for wildlife.