Rest-harrow
Ononis arvensis

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A shrub. The stem is erect. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaflets are 1-2.5 cm long by 5-15 mm wide. They are broadly oval. The flowers are in a group at the ends of branches. The flowers are in pairs at each node. They are pink. The fruit is a pod 6-9 mm long. It has 1-3 seeds.

There are about 80 Ononis species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in moist sandy soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Asia, Central Asia, China, Europe, India, Iran, Lithuania, Middle East, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye

How it is used for food

The shoots are pickled. They are also used as a sauce and in salads.

Edible parts

Shoots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Ononis hircina Jacquin; Ononis spinosa L.;