Ononis repens Common Restharrow

A widespread and familiar pink-flowered (and sometimes spiny) legume of coastal, sandy habitats in Britain, but also occuring inland in rough grassy places and along well-drained tracks. Pale or white flowered individuals are occasionally seen in some populations. Sand dune plants are usually very glandular hairy and give off a pleasant, redolent scent in summer. It is a common plant of coastal sand dunes in West Glamorgan where it is frequently a host for the root parasite, Common Broomrape (Orobanche minor). While coastal plants are usually predominantly procumbent, the form and morphology of Common Restharrow is quite variable with some ascending bushy forms. Small populations of Restharrow are found inland occasionally along forest tracks and on coal tips. Some taxonomists regard Common Restharrow and Spiny Restharrow (Ononis spinosa) as variants of the same species (see description of Ononis spinosa).

Native