Light-green narrow leaves appear in whorls beneath masses of tiny yellow honey scented flowers. The flowers have been used as a rennet in cheese-making; also to color cheese. Medicinally it has been used as a remedy for swelling, kidney stones and urinary diseases. Mattresses were stuffed with this - coumarin in the dried leaves gave it a "new mown hay" scent and reputedly killed fleas. Produces a red(roots) and yellow(flowers) dye. Prefers poor dry soil.