Wild mignonette, Cut-leaved Mignonette
Reseda lutea
Family: Resedaceae
What it is like
A herb. It can grow each year from seed or keep growing from year to year. It is 30-75 cm tall. It spreads 50-70 cm wide. The stem is branched and angular. The leaves have 3-5 parts. They are papery. The lobes are narrow. The flower racemes occur at the end of stalks. They are yellow ot yellowish green. There are 6 petals which are rounded and clawed at the base. The fruit is a capsule which is 3 angled. The seeds are shiny and black. They are kidney shaped and about 2 mm across.
There are between 55 and 60 Reseda species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It grows on mountain slopes. It is often on calcareous soils. It suits hardiness zones 7-9. Tasmania Herbarium.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Australia, Britain, Central Asia, China, Europe, France, Greece, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Portugal, Scandinavia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan
How it is used for food
The leaves are eaten in salads.
Edible parts
Leaves
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Huang mu xi cao, Rumeni katanec, Yellow mignonette