round-leaved restharrow

Ononis rotundifolia reaches on average 20–60 centimetres (7.9–23.6 in) of height, with a maximum of 150 centimetres (59 in). The stem and the leaves are slightly hairy and sticky. The leaves are composed of three irregularly toothed and almost rounded leaflets (hence the specific Latin name rotundifolia), the median one with a long petiole. This plant bears clusters of two or three pink flowers streaked with red, about 15–18 millimetres (0.59–0.71 in) wide. The flowering period extends from June through September. Ononis rotundifolia is also used as an ornamental plant.

This quite rare north-western Mediterranean shrub occurs in Austria, Switzerland, Italy, France and Spain, mainly in the Alps, the Cevennes and the Pyrenees.