Spiny restharrow

Ononis spinosa

The Spiny Restharrow is a prickly plant that grows close to the ground. It has beautiful pink flowers that bloom in the summer, attracting butterflies and bees!

Hábitat: Grasslands

Aspecto

The Spiny restharrow is a low-growing plant with woody, thorny stems and small, bright pink, pea-like flowers. Its numerous sharp spines make it easily distinguishable from other wild plants in grasslands. The leaves are small and often have tiny hairs.

ReinoPlantaeFiloTracheophytaClaseMagnoliopsidaOrdenFabalesFamiliaFabaceaeGéneroOnonis

Spiny restharrow

Categoría

Plantas

Rareza

Common

Peligro

2/5 · Bajo

Snaps

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Datos interesantes

Despite its thorns, this plant is a favorite snack for many caterpillars and beetles!

Its beautiful pink flowers are shaped just like tiny butterflies getting ready to fly!

People once used Spiny restharrow roots to make a foamy, soap-like substance for washing!

This plant's name means it 'stops the plough' because its tough roots snag farm tools!

Habilidades especiales

Spiny restharrow has sharp thorns along its stems that help it defend against hungry animals trying to eat its leaves and flowers.

Spiny restharrow can grow incredibly long taproots deep into the soil to find water, helping it survive dry conditions.

Like other pea family plants, Spiny restharrow can enrich the soil by capturing nitrogen from the air.

Medidas y detalles

Altura: 10-60 cm
Tamaño de la flor: 1-1.5 cm
Temporada de floración: Verano
Comestible: Sí
Toxicidad: Leve
Ciclo de vida: Perenne
Método de polinización: Insectos

Conexiones ecológicas

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Visits its flowers for sweet nectar.

pollinates

Buff-tailed bumblebee

Bombus terrestris

Helps carry pollen between plants.

eaten by

Domestic sheep

Ovis aries

Graze on its young shoots and leaves.

eaten by

European rabbit

Oryctolagus cuniculus

Nibbles on its foliage in pastures.

Rasgos

Floración

Las plantas con flores son cualquier planta que produce flores como parte de su ciclo reproductivo.

Floración de verano

Las plantas de floración de verano producen sus flores durante la temporada estival, a menudo aportando un color vibrante cuando muchas otras plantas ya han terminado de florecer.