These lovely Wild Mignonette flower spikes have appeared on the small mound that children like to scramble up near the benches at the Recreation Ground. Its seeds can remain viable for decades, flowering when conditions are right and the soil has had some disturbance. Possibly from clambering feet!
It is often confused with Weld (Reseda luteola), a related plant, but this has taller, thinner flower spikes and less complicated leaves. Both plants contain Luteolin, a yellow plant pigment which has been used for dyeing since at least the first Millenium BC. Weld was the favoured source and was cultivated for this purpose in Europe in the Middle Ages. There is renewed interest in weld as an eco-friendly, non toxic alternative to synthetic dyes.
Wild mignonette is a good choice for a wildlife friendly garden. Finches love the seeds and it is on the RHS list of their Top 10 Garden Plants for specialty bees
Yellow faced bees are unusual as they deliver pollen to their larvae by swallowing and regurgitating it, lacking the hairs needed for carrying pollen on their legs or body. They also waterproof their nests by producing a cellophane-like lining. The mignonette yellow-face bee (Hylaeus signatus), is strongly dependent on Mignonette plants. Mignonette yellow faced bee
It goes without saying that it is a drought tolerant source of nectar - another reason to protect it if you see it in the wild.