Ονόνις η ανακλίνουσα
Etymology of Ononis reclinata: The term "Ononis" comes from the Ancient Greek "ὄνος" [ónos] meaning "donkey", and "ὀνίς" [onis] meaning "dung", hence "donkey's dung", as the ancient Greeks assumed it could grow where donkeys defecate. It may sound like a weird name to choose but in fact, there are more genuses with a similar name, such as the genus "Onopordum" which means "donkey's fart" and "Onobrychis". The specific epithet "reclinata" is from the Latin word "reclinatus", the past participle of reclinare, meaning "to lean back" or "recline," which in this case describes the reflexed or bent-back nature of the flower calyx after flowering.
There are 13 species and subspecies (kinds) of the Ononis genus in the wild Cypriot habitat, of which one is encountered only in occupied Cyprus (Karpasia peninsula). In addition, there is a domesticated Ononis species.
Habitat
Ononis reclinata, also known as Small Restharrow, is native to a wide range encompassing Macaronesia, Western Europe, the Mediterranean region extending to Iran, and parts of East Africa like Kenya and Ethiopia. This annual herb typically appears in dry, grassy places, particularly on shallow calcareous soils with low organic content, including coastal cliffs, consolidated dune turf, and dry grasslands and hill pastures.
In Cyprus, it is encountered all around Cyprus up to an altitude of 1225 meters. Its flowering period is between March and June.
How to identify Ononis reclinata
Ononis reclinata looks similar to Ononis diffusa, and Ononis serrata. Let's see some of the main differences that distinguish the one species from the other.
Overall Leaf Structure:
Ononis diffusa: Primarily trifoliolate (leaves with three leaflets), but the basal leaves can sometimes be pinnate (with more than three leaflets arranged along a central axis).
Ononis reclinata: Consistently trifoliolate (always with three leaflets).
Ononis serrata: Lower and middle leaves are typically trifoliolate, while the upper leaves are often unifoliolate (reduced to a single leaflet).
Leaflet Shape and Size:
Ononis diffusa: Leaflets are typically oblanceolate to suborbicular (inversely lance-shaped, wider towards the tip, to almost circular), ranging in size from 10-20 mm in length.
Ononis reclinata: Leaflets are oblanceolate to obovate-orbicular (inversely lance-shaped to inversely egg-shaped, wider towards the tip, to almost circular), and generally smaller, around 5-8 mm in length.
Ononis serrata: Leaflets are oblong to linear (elongated with parallel sides to very narrow and elongated), and typically smaller and narrower than O. diffusa, measuring 5-13 mm long and 1-5 mm wide.
Leaflet Margin:
Ononis diffusa: Leaflet margins are denticulate (with small, regular teeth), usually with 10-16 more or less appressed (lying flat) teeth.
Ononis reclinata: Leaflet margins are dentate only at the apex (toothed only at the tip). This is the primary characteristic that distinguishes this species from the other two similar ones.
Ononis serrata: Leaflet margins are acutely denticulate-serrate (with sharp, forward-pointing teeth). The teeth are generally fewer and more conspicuous than in O. diffusa.
Hair Characteristics:
Ononis diffusa: The whole plant is often described as glandular-hairy and viscid (sticky).
Ononis reclinata: Stems are described as villous (with long, soft hairs) and glandular-hairy.
Ononis serrata: The plant is viscid-pubescent (with short, sticky hairs).
Overall Flower Arrangement and Habit:
Ononis diffusa: Flowers are borne in lax, few-flowered racemes or sometimes solitary in the upper leaf axils. The inflorescence is often quite open and spread out (diffuse), consistent with its name. The flowers are typically erect or ascending.
Ononis reclinata: Flowers are arranged in dense, few-flowered heads or short, compact racemes that are characteristically reclined or deflexed (bent downwards) after flowering, giving the species its name. The inflorescence is much more compact and often appears nestled in the upper leaf axils.
Ononis serrata: Flowers are produced in short, dense, terminal or axillary racemes or sometimes appear as clusters. The inflorescence is generally more compact than O. diffusa but less distinctly reclined than O. reclinata. The flowers are typically erect or spreading.
Flower Size:
Ononis diffusa: Flowers are generally the largest among the three species, typically 10-18 mm long.
Ononis reclinata: Flowers are smaller, usually ranging from 6-10 mm in length.
Ononis serrata: Flowers are of intermediate size, typically 8-14 mm long.
Calyx (Sepal Cup):
Ononis diffusa: The calyx is deeply divided into 5 narrow, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate lobes that are longer than the tube. These lobes are often glandular-hairy.
Ononis reclinata: The calyx is also deeply divided into 5 lanceolate to linear lobes, which are equal to or slightly longer than the tube. These lobes are typically hairy and glandular. A key characteristic is that the calyx teeth become strongly reflexed (bent backwards) after flowering, contributing to the reclined appearance of the fruiting heads.
Ononis serrata: The calyx has 5 lanceolate to linear-lanceolate lobes that are longer than the tube and are acutely dentate-serrate (sharply toothed) along their margins, mirroring the leaf margin characteristic. This serrated calyx is a distinctive feature.
Corolla (Petals):
Ononis diffusa: The corolla is typically pink or purplish, with a noticeable keel (the two lower petals fused together). The standard (the uppermost petal) is often distinctly veined.
Ononis reclinata: The corolla is usually pink or rose-purple. The standard is often shorter than the keel.
Ononis serrata: The corolla is typically pink or reddish-purple.
Other Floral Characteristics:
Ononis diffusa: The pedicels (flower stalks) are usually longer than the calyx.
Ononis reclinata: The pedicels are short, and the fruiting heads become quite dense and easily recognizable due to the reflexed calyx teeth.
Ononis serrata: The presence of the serrated calyx lobes is a very strong distinguishing feature during flowering and fruiting.
