Ononis ramosissima Desf.

Family: LEGUMINOSAE

Genus: Ononis

Sinònims: Ononis natrix L. subsp. ramosissima (Desf.) Batt. et Trab.

Catalan common name: Alorens.

Spanish common name: Beluda. Carretón de fuego. Carretón de mar. Garbanceros. Hierba culebra. Melera. Melosa. Pegamoscas. Tárraga.

Province distribution: Alacant. Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Ibiza. Formentera.

General distribution (Phytogeography): West Mediterranean

IUCN Category: LCLeast concern

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Chameophyte. Nanophanerophyte.

Habitats: Beaches and dunes, sandy soils. Cultivated fields, path and road sides, disturbed zones. Rocky coastlines. Pine wood and shrubland with rosemary and thyme garigue. Coastal zones.

Characteristics: This is a small bush, branched at the base. The branches are very foliose and are covered with large flowers, intense yellow in colour and very pendunculate. The peduncle is prolonged by an awn. Leaves are trifoliated and viscous in appearance. A closer look reveal small wind borne particles stuck to the plant.