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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Root - raw or cooked. A liquorice substitute[1][2]. Soaked in cold water it makes a refreshing cold drink[2]. The young shoots were at one time much used as a vegetable, being boiled, pickled or eaten in salads[3].

Unknown part

Leaves

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Ononis repens.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The whole herb has been used in the treatment of bladder stones and to subdue delirium[3].

Unknown part

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Scarify or pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow the seed in the middle of spring in situ[4].

The seed can also be sown in a cold frame in the autumn. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in late spring[4]. Division just before new growth begins in spring[4]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Cuttings, September in a cold frame[5].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Ononis repens. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a sunny position in a well-drained neutral to alkaline soil[4]. Succeeds on the tops of walls and on dry banks[4].

Similar to O. spinosa, but this species is rhizomatous[4]. It can spread rapidly when well sited[6] and has become an obnoxious weed in some areas[7]. Mature roots are very tough and the plant gained its common name of 'Rest Harrow' because ploughs and harrows would be unable to break through it (in the days before heavy machinery was used on the land!). The whole plant emits a delicious resinous odour when bruised[7]. A food plant for the common blue butterfly[4]. Dislikes root disturbance[4].

This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[4].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Ononis repens. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Ononis repens.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Ononis repens
Genus
Ononis
Family
Leguminosae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
?
Life Cycle
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type

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"image:Ononis repens.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Ononis repens.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Ononis repens.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Ononis repens.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Mabey. R. Food for Free. Collins ISBN 0-00-219060-5 (1974-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.2 Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press ISBN 0-946284-51-2 (1985-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.3 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.74.84.9 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  5. ? Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
  6. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.1 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
  8. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)

"image:Ononis repens.jpeg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

Facts about "Ononis repens"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyLeguminosae +
Belongs to genusOnonis +
Functions asNitrogen fixer +
Has binomial nameOnonis repens +
Has common nameRest Harrow +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partUnknown part +, Leaves + and Root +
Has edible useDrink + and Unknown use +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure + and High wind +
Has fertility typeBees +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone6 +
Has imageOnonis repens.jpeg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has mature height0.6 +
Has mature width1 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useLithontripic +
Has primary imageOnonis repens.jpeg +
Has search nameononis repens + and rest harrow +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
Has taxonomy nameOnonis repens +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
PFAF toxicity notes migratedYes +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Ononis repens +, Ononis repens +, Ononis repens + and Ononis repens +