Cerinthe

Cerinthe
Cerinthe major
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	(unplaced)
Family:	Boraginaceae
Genus:	Cerinthe
Type species
Cerinthe major
Species
About 10,[1] See text.

Cerinthe is a genus in the vascular plant family Boraginaceae. Variants are known by the common names honeywort, wax flower, and (for the "Blue Kiwi" or 'Pride of Gibraltar' variety) Shrimp plant. It grows approximately 18 to 24 inches tall, with oval, fleshy grayish blue-green leaves, mottled with white. The leaves spiral up the stem, becoming tighter packed bracts and then small clusters of drooping tubular flowers ranging in color from blue, through purple and pink. Some varieties have flowers of yellow hues with red accents.

Cerinthe major is heat tolerant and likes full sun. It is hardy down to at least -5 degrees Celsius (23*F). In zones within its hardiness tolerance it may behave as a perennial; in colder zones it behaves as an annual, although through re-seeding, the same patch may exist for many years.

Cerinthe major purpurascens growing on Cornish hedge

Select species

• Cerinthe major
  • Cerinthe major 'Purpurascens' - Honeywort
• Cerinthe minor

References

• Pink, A. (2004). Gardening for the Million. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.