This is a plant I associate with undisturbed grassland and when I find it I look out for a more diverse range of plants than usual. The reason for this is that R minor is semi-parasitic on grasses. It can survive alone but in meadows it takes some nutrients from nearby grasses reducing their vigour This allows less competitive species to flourish and increases species diversity.
The name comes from the seed pods. When the seeds are ripe they rattle about inside the pod. There are several sub species of this plant and this one is R. minor ssp minor most probably.
Newborough Warren 16th June 2004
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Added on 2nd December 2004