Coastal restharrow

Ononis species like chalk and coastal areas and tend to be pink or yellow.

Spiny restharrow – Ononis spinosa

I spotted this in Kent thanks to a handy sign at South Swale nature reserve. It grows to about 40cm with pink pea flowers and long spines on a hairy stem.

South Swale nature reserve sign mentioning Spiny restharrow – *Ononis spinosa*

Spiny restharrow Ononis spinos whitstable — Spiny restharrow – *Ononis spinosa* – Whitstable beach Kent – Jun 2019

spiny restharrow detail — Flowers of Spiny restharrow – *Ononis spinosa* – Whitstable beach Kent same plant – Jun 2019

ononis spinosa detail — Spiny restharrow – *Ononis spinosa* – Whitstable beach Kent same plant – detail showing spines – Jun 2019

Common Restharrow – Ononis repens

Common restharrow grows near me in Seaford. It is a chalk grassland indicator species. The obvious difference from the above species is the lack of spines. I think Spiny restharrow has brighter pink flowers than Common and is more upright.

Common Restharrow meadow Ononis repens Cradle Valley Seaford Jul 2021 — Meadow with Common Restharrow – *Ononis repens* – Cradle Valley Seaford – Jul 2021

Common Restharrow Ononis repens Cradle Valley Seaford Jul 2021 — Common Restharrow – *Ononis repens* – Cradle Valley Seaford – Jul 2021

Common Restharrow flowers Ononis repens Cradle Valley Seaford Jul 2021 — Common Restharrow flowers – *Ononis repens* – Cradle Valley Seaford – Jul 2021

Posts mentioning restharrow – Ononis species are tagged Restharrow or Ononis

http://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/tag/restharrow/

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External link to brc Ononis atlas