rest-harrow

Small shrubby plant of the genus Ononis, in the Leguminosae family, found in Britain, Europe, northeastern Africa, and Southwest Asia. Rest-harrow is much tougher than most low-growing vegetation; its name derives from its being strong enough to stop a harrow from passing. Members of this genus have pink or yellow flowers and may be spiny or covered with sticky hairs.

Spiny types include O. spinosa, a bushy plant which grows to 90 cm/3 ft; sticky types include O. repens, which grows to about 30 cm/12 in. There is much variation within these species, which may be due to hybridization.