About Onobrychis venosa (Desf.) Desv.
Onobrychis venosa, commonly known as veined sainfoin, is a perennial herb that grows spreading or suberect, reaching 10 to 25 centimeters in height, and has a short stem. Its leaves are alternate, compound, and imparipinnate; the leaflets are ovoid to suborbicular, measuring 10–40 mm by 5–30 mm, and feature distinctive bronze venation, which is the origin of the species epithet venosa. Leaflets are hairy only along their margins. The zygomorphic flowers, which have yellow petals marked with noticeable dark-red nerves, are borne in axillary racemes. This species flowers from February to May. Its fruit is a circular, flattened, hairy pod. It typically grows on dry hillsides over limestone, but it can also be found on igneous formations or near the coast, at elevations ranging from sea level up to 950 m. It is endemic to Cyprus, where it is common across many parts of the island, including Akamas, Panayia, Petra tou Romiou, Moni, Agios Therapon, Kosshi, Yeri, Latsia, Athalassa, Mitsero, Agrokipia, Klirou, Potami, Pendataktylos, and Karpasia.
