Description

Marsh lousewort, or red rattle as it is sometimes called, is a short to medium height native annual/biennial with deeply pinnate leaves and red, dead nettle like, flowers. It is similar in appearance to Common lousewort but has redder flowers and a single branched stem not multiple spreading ones. Flowers from May to September.

Habitat Information

Marsh lousewort is found on base-rich to acidic soils in a wide range of damp habitats, including wet heaths, wet meadows, ditches, fens and hillside flushes. It is found throughout much of northern and western Britain but is absent from the south and the east with notable exceptions in Norfolk and the New Forest. Like Yellow rattle, Marsh lousewort is a root-hemiparasite of a broad range of grasses and herbs and also like Yellow rattle it thrives best in an open, relatively short sward.

Growing Information

Sow in the autumn as the seed needs a period of chilling to break dormancy.