Rest-Harrow

December 12th, 2009

Botanical Name: Ononis arvensis
Family: N.O. Leguminosae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Synonyms: Wild Liquorice. Cammock. Stinking Tommy. Ground Furze. Land Whin.
Other Names:Ononis repens – L.
Genus: Ononis
Part Used: Whole herb.
Habitat: Western Europe in Britain, France and Belgium. Dry grassland on calcareous soils

Description: Perennial growing to 0.6m by 1m.
It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from June to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.

ononis_arvensis_c53

-Ononis_arvensis
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

A troublesome weed, with a root that affords a sweet, viscid juice. Common in arable land. Its long, thicklymatted root will arrest the progress of the harrow, hence its name.

A tradition exists that this was the plant from which the crown of thorns was plaited for the Crucifixion.

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

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

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves; Root.

Edible Uses: Drink.

Root – raw or cooked. A liquorice substitute. Soaked in cold water it makes a refreshing cold drink. The young shoots were at one time much used as a vegetable, being boiled, pickled or eaten in salads.

Medicinal Action and Uses : Lithontripic.

The whole herb has been used in the treatment of bladder stones and to subdue delirium

In medicine it was used for stone in the bladder and to subdue delirium.

Other Uses:It can fix Nitrogen. It is noted for attracting wildlife.The plant is obnoxious to snakes. It is a favourite food of the donkey, from which the generic name is derived, onos being the Greek word for an ass.

Scented Plants
Plant: Crushed
The whole plant emits a delicious resinous odour when bruised.

Resources:

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/r/restha11.html

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?313899

http://species.wikimedia.org/wiki/Ononis_arvensis

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Ononis+repens