Ononis
Encyclopedia
Ononis is a large genus
of perennial
herb
s and shrubs from the legume family Fabaceae
. The members of this genus are often called restharrows as some species are arable weeds whose tough stems would stop the harrow
. They are natively distributed in Europe
.
In herbalism
restharrow is used to treat bladder and kidney problems and water retention.
The active ingredients in restharrow are essential oils, flavonoid
-glycosides, and tannins.
Restharrows are used as food plants by the larva
e of some Lepidoptera
species including Grey Pug
and Coleophora ononidella
(feeds exclusively on O. arvensis).
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of perennial
Perennial plant
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...
herb
Herb
Except in botanical usage, an herb is "any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring, food, medicine, or perfume" or "a part of such a plant as used in cooking"...
s and shrubs from the legume family Fabaceae
Fabaceae
The Fabaceae or Leguminosae, commonly known as the legume, pea, or bean family, is a large and economically important family of flowering plants. The group is the third largest land plant family, behind only the Orchidaceae and Asteraceae, with 730 genera and over 19,400 species...
. The members of this genus are often called restharrows as some species are arable weeds whose tough stems would stop the harrow
Harrow (tool)
In agriculture, a harrow is an implement for breaking up and smoothing out the surface of the soil. In this way it is distinct in its effect from the plough, which is used for deeper tillage. Harrowing is often carried out on fields to follow the rough finish left by ploughing operations...
. They are natively distributed in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
.
In herbalism
Herbalism
Herbalism is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbalism is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, herblore, and phytotherapy...
restharrow is used to treat bladder and kidney problems and water retention.
The active ingredients in restharrow are essential oils, flavonoid
Flavonoid
Flavonoids , are a class of plant secondary metabolites....
-glycosides, and tannins.
Restharrows are used as food plants by the larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
e of some Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera
Lepidoptera is a large order of insects that includes moths and butterflies . It is one of the most widespread and widely recognizable insect orders in the world, encompassing moths and the three superfamilies of butterflies, skipper butterflies, and moth-butterflies...
species including Grey Pug
Grey Pug
The Grey Pug is a moth of the family Geometridae. It is found throughout the Palearctic region and the Near East.The forewings of this species are grey marked with pale fascia and radial lines which give it a mottled appearance. The hindwings are much paler and plainer. Melanism is quite common in...
and Coleophora ononidella
Coleophora
Coleophora is a very large genus of moths of the family Coleophoridae. It contains some 1,350 described species. The genus is represented on all continents, but the majority are found in the Nearctic and Palaearctic regions...
(feeds exclusively on O. arvensis).
Species of Ononis
The genus Ononis currently includes thirty-one accepted species:- Ononis adenotricha Boiss.
- Ononis alba Poir.
- Ononis alopecuroides L., Foxtail Restharrow
- Ononis angustissima Lam.
- Ononis arvensis L., Field Restharrow
- Ononis avellana Pomel
- Ononis baetica Clemente
- Ononis biflora Desf.
- Ononis cossoniana Boiss. & Reut.
- Ononis cristata Mill.
- Ononis euphrasiifolia Desf.
- Ononis fruticosa L.
- Ononis inermis Pall.
- Ononis mitissima L.
- Ononis natrix L., Large Yellow Restharrow
- Ononis officinalis L.
- Ononis ornithopodioides L.
- Ononis pubescens L.
- Ononis pusilla L.
- Ononis reclinata L., Small Restharrow
- Ononis repensOnonis repensOnonis repens or Common Restharrow is a plant species of the genus Ononis. It is found by the shore and is also common in dry hill pastures in chalk or limestone areas. It is a prostrate woody perennial with small oval leaves. The leaves are covered in glandular hairs which give a resinous smell on...
L., Common Restharrow - Ononis rotundifoliaOnonis rotundifoliaOnonis rotundifolia, commonly known as Round-leaved Restharrow, is a perennial shrub belonging to the genus Ononis of the family Fabaceae.-Description:...
L. - Ononis serrata Forssk.
- Ononis sicula Guss.
- Ononis speciosa Lag.
- Ononis spinosaOnonis spinosaOnonis spinosa is a plant belonging to the family Fabaceae, that is commonly known as spiny restharrow or just restharrow. It is found throughout much of Europe but seldom as far north as Scotland.-External links:*...
L., Spiny Restharrow - Ononis subspicata Lag.
- Ononis tridentata L.
- Ononis vaginalis Vahl
- Ononis variegata L.
- Ononis viscosa L.