Yellow-rattle
VU

Yellow-rattle

Rhinanthus minor

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinanthus_minor

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Yellow-rattle faces severe decline across its European range due to agricultural intensification and the widespread abandonment of traditional hay meadow management. The species' semi-parasitic nature makes it particularly vulnerable to nitrogen enrichment from fertilizers, which favors competitive grasses over the diverse wildflower communities it depends upon. Habitat fragmentation has isolated remaining populations, reducing genetic diversity and limiting natural recolonization of suitable sites.

Threat summary

Habitat

Yellow-rattle inhabits species-rich hay meadows, chalk downs, and unimproved grasslands across temperate Europe. As a semi-parasitic annual, it requires diverse plant communities where it can attach to grass roots while maintaining the open, nutrient-poor conditions essential for wildflower diversity.

TERRESTRIAL· majorTERRESTRIAL· major

Other threatened species in Orobanchaceae

LousewortVU

Lousewort

Pedicularis sylvatica

Unknown
greater yellow-rattleCR

greater yellow-rattle

Rhinanthus alectorolophus

Unknown
Euphrasia dunensisCR

Euphrasia dunensis

Unknown
Crested Cow-wheatEN

Crested Cow-wheat

Melampyrum cristatum

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Yellow-rattle classified as Vulnerable?
Yellow-rattle is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Yellow-rattle faces severe decline across its European range due to agricultural intensification and the widespread abandonment of traditional hay meadow management. The species' semi-parasitic nature makes it particularly vulnerable to nitrogen enrichment from fertilizers, which favors competitive grasses over the diverse wildflower communities it depends upon. Habitat fragmentation has isolated remaining populations, reducing genetic diversity and limiting natural recolonization of suitable sites.
Where does Yellow-rattle live?
Yellow-rattle occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Yellow-rattle?
The main threats to Yellow-rattle are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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