186 



HARDY PERENNIALS AND 



the Pyrenees, is hardy, evergreen, and shrubby. The common 

 name of the genus, Restharrow, is in reference to the long, tough, 

 and woody roots and branches. According to Gerarde, these 

 properties " maketh the oxen, whilst they be in plowing, to rest or 

 stand still." Although this species has tougn roots and branches, 

 it seems more likely that the name would be from the trouble 

 caused by the weedy species of the genus of his time. 



In its growing state there is seen an exquisiteness of form and 

 colour rarely approached by any other subject ; from the manner 



FIG. 67. ONONIS EOTTJNDIFOLIA. 

 (Plant, one-sixth natural size ; blossom, natural size.) 



in which the unopened scarlet buds blend with the thick and 

 handsome-shaped foliage, the illustration (Fig. 67) can scarcely 

 do justice to it. It should not be judged by other and better 

 known species of the genus, some of which are of a weedy charac- 

 ter, and from which this is as distinct as it well can be. Besides 

 having the valuable property of flowering all summer, it is 

 otherwise a suitable subject for the most select collections of 

 hardy flowers. 



