Ononis natrix subsp. natrix

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 : 144

(a) Subsp. natrix :

Stems erect, with dense, long (0-5-2 mm) eglandular and glandular hairs and some short glandular hairs. Lower leaves 3-foliolate, sometimes pinnate; leaflets 12-20(-30) mm. Calyx-teeth 2-5-4 times as long as tube; corolla 12-20 mm, usually with red or violet veins. Legume 12-25 mm. Seeds dark brown, minutely tuberculate. Almost throughout the range o f the species, from S.E. Spain eastwards. Very variable, especially in the western part of its range.