Ononis natrix subsp. hesperia Maire

Growth Form

Ononis natrix subsp. hesperia Maire is a perennial plant that grows 50 to 100 cm tall. It has a woody base, and its entire structure is covered in viscous glands.

Leaf Structure

Its leaves are composed of three oblong, finely toothed leaflets.

Inflorescence

Flowers grow in leafy terminal racemes. The one-flowered peduncles are long, and often have a stiff, bristle-like point.

Calyx Morphology

Calyx lobes are much longer than the calyx tube.

Corolla Characteristics

The yellow corolla measures 15 mm, and is twice the length of the calyx. The standard petal has red-brown striations.

Habitat Substrate

This taxon grows in sandy and stony areas on limestone.

Local Distribution

It can be found in coastal regions, lower and middle mountains, Beqaa, the South, and Antilebanon.

Broader Geographic Range

Its broader geographic range includes Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, and the Circum-Mediterranean region.

Genus Name Etymology

The genus name Onônis (also sometimes written anônis) is the Greek name for a Mediterranean species in this genus. It is sometimes interpreted as deriving from the Greek words onos (donkey) and onesis (happiness), because certain rest-harrow species were thought to be favored by donkeys.

Specific Epithet Etymology

The specific epithet natrix is the name of a water snake; this name was applied to this plant because its pollen tube releases ciliated antherozoids that swim, similar to a water snake, before entering the embryo sac.

Common Name and Use

Known as lissayq in Arabic, the branches of this plant are used in the preparation of raisins.