The creamy-white spires of wild mignonette grow in a variety oh habitats: on the roadside, in fields and olive groves, on wasteland and even, occasionally  on the beach. The small flowers are highly fragrant.

The species name lutea meaning yellow does not come from the colour of the flowers but the yellow die it produces, referred to as weld, it has an ancient history and is still used as a dye by traditional carpet makers in Eastern Mediterranean.

The genus name reseda comes from the medicinal properties of the plant, from latin resido, to relax. it is said to have calming properties.