Ononis viscosa, L.

Tutin, T. G., Heywood, V. H., Burges, N. A., Moore, D. M., Valentine, D. H., Walters, S. M. & Webb, D. A., 1981, Flora Europaea. Volume 2. Rosaceae to Umbelliferae, Cambridge University Press : 145

18. O. viscosa L. , Sp. Pl. 718 (1753).

Erect annual 10-80 cm; stems densely and softly hairy and glandular. Leaves all 1 -foliolate or the middle cauline leaves 3(-5)-foliolate; leaflets 10-20 mm, variable, usually elliptical to obovate, obtuse. Primary branches of the inflorescence 10-20 mm, aristate, 1 -flowered. Corolla up to 12 mm, yellow, the standard frequently with red veins. Legume up to 20 mm, not or only slightly inflated. Seeds many, 1-1-5 mm, yellow-brown, acutely tuberculate. 2« = 32. Mediterranean region, Portugal. Al BI Cr Ga Gr Hs It Ju Lu Sa Si Tu.

Very variable especially in the western part of its range, where several subspecies and numerous varieties have been recognized. 1 Legume 12-20 mm, exceeding the calyx

2 Primary branches of the inflorescence muticous or with arista less than 3 mm (d) subsp. sieberi

2 Primary branches of the inflorescence with arista 6-15 mm

3Corolla not exceeding calyx (c) subsp. breviflora

3Corolla exceeding calyx

4 Arista with simple hairs (a) subsp. viscosa

4 Arista without simple hairs (e) subsp. subcordata

1 Legume 6-10 mm, about equalling calyx

5 Primary branches of the inflorescence not exceeding the leaves, muticous or with short arista (d) subsp. sieberi

5 Primary branches of the inflorescence exceeding leaves

6 Leaves mostly 1-foliolate; corolla yellow, rarely with pink veins (b) subsp. brachycarpa

6 Middle cauline leaves 3-foliolate; corolla pinkish-purple (f) subsp. foetida