Ononis repens - Rest Harrow

Family:	Leguminosae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.6
Width:	1
Synonyms:	O. arvensis. Auct.
Range:	Western Europe in Britain, France and Belgium.

Ononis repens (Rest Harrow) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.6m and a width of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 6.
Rest Harrow will flower in December to March. the seeds ripen from February to April
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees

Soil Information

Rest Harrow will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Rest Harrow prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Rest Harrow should not be planted in shady areas.

Dry grassland on calcareous soils[5, 17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Suits a meadow

Cultivation Details

Prefers a sunny position in a well-drained neutral to alkaline soil[200]. Succeeds on the tops of walls and on dry banks[200]. Similar to O. spinosa, but this species is rhizomatous[200]. It can spread rapidly when well sited[1] and has become an obnoxious weed in some areas[245]. 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[245]. A food plant for the common blue butterfly[200]. Dislikes root disturbance[200]. 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[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Root - raw or cooked. A liquorice substitute[5, 66]. Soaked in cold water it makes a refreshing cold drink[66]. The young shoots were at one time much used as a vegetable, being boiled, pickled or eaten in salads[4].

• Drink - not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
• Leaves -
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The whole herb has been used in the treatment of bladder stones and to subdue delirium[4].

• Lithontripic - Removes stones from the kidney, bladder etc.

Propagation

Scarify or pre-soak the seed for 24 hours in warm water and sow the seed in the middle of spring in situ[200]. 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[200]. Division just before new growth begins in spring[200]. 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[111].

Scented parts of the plants

Plant : Crushed

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora of the British Isles.
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Author: Clapham, Tootin and Warburg.
Rating:
Publisher : A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.
Date of Publication : 1962

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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