Yellow restharrow

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Yellow Restharrow

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Anonis natrix

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further organized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Ononis.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence can be documented within the borders of Germany and Switzerland. Moving toward the Mediterranean, it is also found throughout Southwestern Europe. Specifically, its range extends to the islands of the Baleares and Corse. Additionally, the species is well-established within the mainland territory of France.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Ononis natrix is characterized by its distribution within low-lying coastal or lowland environments, as it occupies a specific elevational range starting from 0 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 100 m AMSL. This narrow altitudinal belt suggests that the species is adapted to maritime or near-sea-level conditions, likely thriving in habitats where humidity is high and the terrain remains relatively flat. By occupying these low elevations, the plant interfaces with ecosystems typically defined by alluvial soils or sandy coastal substrates, where it must contend with specific moisture regimes and salinity levels inherent to such low-altitude zones.

Elevational range max:

100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Oenothera biennis (often associated with the taxonomic context of Ononis natrix in specific ecological studies) is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, exhibiting a variable nature that can manifest as annual, biennial, or perennial depending on environmental conditions. As a hemicryophyte, the plant's perennating buds are located at the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or the upper layers of the substrate, which allows it to persist through unfavorable seasons. This life form is further defined by its hemicryptophytic structure, ensuring survival through various climatic shifts. Additionally, the plant follows a deciduous pattern, shedding its foliage during dormant periods to conserve resources, a strategy central to its survival and seasonal growth cycles.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Oonis natrix is characterized by a growth form that transitions between a shrub and a subshrub, exhibiting a non-woody structure throughout its development. This plant typically maintains a relatively low stature, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 0.5 m, resulting in an average height of approximately 0.35 m. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, growing instead as an independent organism without parasitic requirements. In terms of its climbing habit, the plant is categorized as self-supporting, meaning it does not rely on other structures as an obligatory or facultative climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.35 m

Plant height min:

0.2 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Oonis natrix is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant's vegetative structure features leaves with a lanceolate form, optimized for its specific environmental niche. These leaves exhibit significant morphological variation in size, with individual leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.2 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm.

Leaf form :

lanceolate

Leaf length max:

0.7 cm

Leaf length min:

0.2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Oonis natrix is characterized by a flowering period that typically commences in March and extends through July, though the timing can be variable across different months of the year. During this reproductive phase, the plant produces orange flowers that range in length from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 1.2 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a relatively small mass; the individual seed weights vary from a minimum of 0.00108 g to a maximum of 0.00939 g, with the mean seed mass recorded at approximately 0.003233 g.

Flower colour :

orange

Flower length max:

1.2 cm

Flower length min:

1 cm

Flowering time :

Mar

Flowering time :

Jul

Seed mass max:

0.00939 g

Seed mass mean:

0.003233 g

Seed mass min:

0.00108 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Ononis natrix has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Natural product research

Activities

Ononis natrix has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. Natural product research

Antioxidant

1. Natural product research

Preparations

Ononis natrix has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract, leaf methanolic extract, plant extracts.

Aqueous extract

1. Biological trace element research

Leaf methanolic extract

1. Natural product research

Plant extracts

1. Journal of microbiological methods