Ononis spinosa – Spiny restharrow

Ononis spinosa L. – (Spiny restharrow, Bugrane, Petty whin, Cammock root, )

Crawling or ascending shrub of the Pea family (Papilionaceae or Fabaceae), 30- 40 cm hight. Stems abundant and branched to the base, hairy on opposite faces with prominent spines. Leaves trifoliate, short petiole, with oval serrated leaflets. Dark pink, solitary flowers with wings shorter than the keel,. Fruits in legume longer than the calyx, hanging and very hairy. In grasslands, and tight soils, generally of calcareous nature. It blooms from June to September.

* Medicinal properties of Ononis spinosa