Ononis natrix, L.

6. O. natrix L. View in CoL , Sp. Pl. 717 (1753).

Erect, much-branched dwarf shrub; stems 20-60 cm, densely glandular-hairy. Leaves 3- foliolate, the lower rarely pinnate; leaflets variable, ovate to linear. Flowers in lax leafy panicles, the primary branches 1-flowered. Corolla 6-20 mm, yellow, frequently with red or violet veins. Legume 10-25 mm. Seeds 4-10, c. 2 mm, smooth or minutely tuberculate. 5. & W. Europe, northwards to N. France, but very rare in the Balkan peninsula. BI Co Cr Ga Ge He Hs It Ju Lu Sa Si.

1 Leaflets 2-5(-8)m m; corolla 6-12 mm; seeds greyish-brown, smooth (c) subsp. hispanica

1 Leaflets (5—)8 mm or more; corolla (10-)12-20 mm; seeds dark brown, minutely tuberculate

2Stem with dense, long (0-5-2 mm) glandular and eglandular hairs; calyx teeth 2-5-4 times as long as tube (a) subsp. natrix

2 Stem with short (O-2-O-5 mm) glandular hairs, sometimes with some longer hairs; lower leaves 1- to 3-foliolate; calyx-

teeth 1-5-2-5 times as long as the tube (b) subsp. ramosissima