Yellow restharrow (Ononis natrix, Sp. Pl.: 717 (1753))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 717 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Ononis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Canary Is. C. Europe to Medit. and Western Sahara

Description

The Yellow Restharrow, scientifically known as Ononis natrix, is an intriguing member of the Fabaceae family, a broad group that includes many leguminous plants notable for their ecological and economic importance. First described by famed botanist Carl Linnaeus in the work “Species Plantarum” in 1753, this plant has since been appreciated for both its distinctive appearance and its regional diversity.

Native to several regions, the Yellow Restharrow can be found flourishing in the Canary Islands, across Central Europe, the Mediterranean area, and extending towards Western Sahara. These geographic regions offer a range of climates, from temperate to arid, showcasing the plant’s adaptability to different environmental conditions.

Yellow Restharrow is distinguished by its bright, cheerful yellow flowers which are not only visually appealing but play an essential role in the local ecosystems as well. The plant’s ability to thrive in various soil types and its resilience in face of environmental challenges make it a fascinating subject for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

Its role within the Fabaceae family is notable due to its capacity for nitrogen fixation, a process where atmospheric nitrogen is converted into a form that is usable by plants, thereby enriching the soil. This characteristic underscores its ecological significance, contributing to soil fertility and benefiting surrounding plant life.

In conclusion, Ononis natrix or Yellow Restharrow is a remarkable plant celebrated for its vivid flowers and environmental contributions. Its distribution from the Canary Islands to the varied climates of Europe and Northern Africa further highlights its versatile nature and evolutionary success within the diverse Fabaceae family.

Common Names

Deu: gelbe hauhechel
Eng: yellow restharrow
Cat: gavó, ungla de gat
Swe: gulblommig stallört
Hun: kígyóiglice
Cym: tagaradr melyn
En: Yellow restharrow
Ar: لطين ( لِطّين), شبرق أفعى الماء
Bg: Жълт гръмотрън
Ca: Gavó, Gavó, ungla de gat, Ungla de gat
Zh: 黄芒柄花
Nl: Geel stalkruid
Fi: Keltaorakko
Fr: Bugrane gluante, Bugrane fétide, Bugrane jaune, Bugrane puante, Bugrane natrix, Ononis jaune
De: Gelbe Hauhechel, Gestreifte Hauhechel
He: שברק מצוי
Hu: Kígyóiglice
It: Ononide bacaja, Erba-Bacaja
Ru: Стальник жёлтый
Es: Pegamoscas, Yerba culebra, Melera
Sv: Gulblommig stallört
Cy: Tagaradr Melyn

Synonyms

• Ononis natrix subsp. picta ((Desf.) Nyman)
• Ononis natrix var. murcica (Sennen)
• Ononis natrix var. cadiana (Sennen)
• Anonis natrix ((L.) Scop.)
• Ononis natrix f. senneni ((Širj.) Širj.)
• Ononis natrix var. hispanica ((L.fil.) Webb)
• Ononis ramosissima var. arenaria ((DC.) Godr.)

Distribution

• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Italy (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Iraq (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Oct 5, 2017 by katia mysline (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2018 by Mélissa Gallien (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2019 by hely (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2018 by Gianni Giana (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 26, 2017 by Javier Hormigos (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 20, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2021 by Fresquita Palangana (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2020 by gonzalez soto sandra (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by jeclerencia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Feb 24, 2021 by C B (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2022 by Nacho Vilchez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Georgia C (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 26, 2021 by Philippe Bissières (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 18, 2019 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Monteiro Henrique (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 6, 2020 by blanca_de_centelles (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 22, 2018 by Gianni Giana (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 7, 2020 by Valerio María (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Georgia C (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 11, 2022 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2020 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2022 by Broto Puig Jaume (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2977234)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:510418-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Ononis natrix L.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 1