Yellow Rattle - Collecting seeds for next year

Our field, although having over 100 species of plants in it, does not have any Yellow Rattle. Since this plant is the so called 'meadow-maker,' we thought we ought to try and get some sown. Rattle is a semi parasitic plant that feeds on grass roots and thus keeps grass growth in check - something very much needed in a meadow when you want flowers to have space to grow and bloom amongst the grasses.

So the kind owner of a local hay meadow allowed us to collect Rattle seeds one fine and breezy summer's evening from his traditionally managed meadow high above the Teme valley. We managed to pick a bag full of Rattle stems with their delicate papery seed packets. We were also given a supremely scented bag of green hay, complete with Rattle seeds, from friends who run an organic farm.