Ononis

Ononis is a large genus of perennial herbs and shrubs from the legume family Fabaceae. The members of this genus are often called restharrows as some species grow as weeds on arable lands 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 larvae of some Lepidoptera species including the grey pug and Coleophora ononidella (which feeds exclusively on O. arvensis).

Species of Ononis
The genus Ononis includes the following accepted species:


 * Ononis adenotricha Boiss.
 * Ononis alba Poir.
 * Ononis alopecuroides L., foxtail restharrow
 * Ononis angustissima Lam.
 * Ononis antiquorum L.
 * 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 ornithopodioides L.
 * Ononis pubescens L.
 * Ononis pusilla L.
 * Ononis reclinata L., small restharrow
 * Ononis repens L., common restharrow
 * Ononis rotundifolia L.
 * Ononis serrata Forssk.
 * Ononis sicula Guss.
 * Ononis speciosa Lag.
 * Ononis spinosa L., spiny restharrow
 * Ononis subspicata Lag.
 * Ononis tridentata L.
 * Ononis vaginalis Vahl
 * Ononis variegata L.
 * Ononis viscosa L.