Ononis minutissima

Dwarf restharrow. A sub-shrub of the Fabaceae family, widespread in the Mediterranean region, from southern France and the Iberian Peninsula to Italy and the Balkans. It grows in open garrigues, dry calcareous grasslands, rocky areas, and thermophilic edges at low and medium altitudes.

It forms low, very branched bushy clumps, reaching 20 to 30 cm in height, with woody stems at the base, tangled and densely leafy. The leaves are trifoliate, with small, oval, toothed leaflets, medium green, slightly pubescent and sticky, borne on branches that often take on characteristic reddish hues. The calyces also display this wine-colored hue, contrasting with the bright yellow of the flowers.

The papilionaceous flowers are bright and luminous yellow, relatively small but produced in very large abundance, literally covering the plant with a dense sowing of color at flowering time. In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from April to June depending on exposure and altitude.

In cultivation, it requires calcareous or neutral soil, perfectly drained, poor, in full sun exposure. Very drought-resistant once established, it does not tolerate heavy soils or stagnant moisture. It is suitable for Mediterranean rock gardens, dry gardens, and sunny embankments.