Family: Boraginaceae
Author: Mill.
Bibliography: Gard. Dict. ed. 8: n.º 2 (1768)
Year: 1768
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Cerinthe
Vegetable: False
Observations: C. & S. Europe to Caucasus
Description
Smooth Honeywort (Cerinthe glabra)
Smooth honeywort is a captivating and lesser-known plant that holds a unique charm within the botanical world. Scientifically recognized as Cerinthe glabra, this plant belongs to the Boraginaceae family, placing it among distinguished company known for their beauty and adaptability.
Description and Characteristics:
Cerinthe glabra manifests as a robust, herbaceous annual or biennial plant. With its smooth, glabrous leaves and striking flowers, it gathers attention in diverse floral settings. The foliage is often a bluish-green, adding a serene and calming hue to gardens. The bracts, which accompany the flowers, have a distinctive leathery texture, providing a contrast to the softer, more prevalent blooms in many gardens.
The flowers of smooth honeywort are tubular and typically display a range of hues from creamy white to pale yellow, or occasionally a soft purplish tint. This gradual transition of colors can give the plant a rather ethereal quality. These blooms are not just visually appealing but are also known to attract bees and other pollinating insects, making them a beneficial addition for garden ecosystems.
Habitat and Distribution:
Originally described in the Gardener’s Dictionary in 1768 by Mill., Cerinthe glabra is native to central and southern Europe, extending its reach to the regions around the Caucasus. This wide-ranging habitat speaks to the plant’s adaptability to various climatic and soil conditions.
Within these regions, smooth honeywort commonly flourishes in open, sunny locales. It thrives in well-drained soils, often found in meadows, fields, and along the edges of forests. The plant’s resilience makes it suitable for cultivation in gardens where it can introduce an element of wild beauty.
Cultural and Horticultural Importance:
Smooth honeywort’s mellow beauty and ecological benefits are appreciated by garden enthusiasts and ecologists alike. The plant’s ability to attract pollinators such as bees is particularly valued in both ornamental and vegetable gardens, as these essential insects help in the pollination of a variety of plants.
In horticultural terms, Cerinthe glabra is relatively easy to grow, requiring minimal maintenance once established. Its ability to reseed allows it to form harmonious colonies, contributing to a naturalistic garden design. Additionally, the smooth leaves and delicate flowers create an appealing contrast when planted alongside more robust and vividly colored plants.
Conservation and Observations:
Being native to a broad swath of Europe and the Caucasus, the smooth honeywort does not generally face significant conservation threats. However, like many native plants, it benefits from mindful cultivation and the preservation of its natural habitats.
In gardening, ensuring that the plant has adequate space to grow and is not overshadowed by more aggressive species is crucial for its well-being. Gardeners should consider the potential for natural reseeding and manage plant density to maintain a healthy garden ecosystem conducive to various flora and fauna.
Conclusion:
Smooth honeywort, Cerinthe glabra, with its subtle elegance and ecological benefits, holds a treasured place in both wild and cultivated landscapes. Its ease of growth, pollinator-friendly blooms, and rich historical background make it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to enhance their green spaces with a touch of wild European heritage. By appreciating and nurturing plants like the smooth honeywort, we not only enrich our gardens but also contribute to the broader health and diversity of our natural world.
Common Names
Deu: alpen-wachsblume
Swe: flerårig vaxblomma
Fra: mélinet glabre
Eng: smooth honeywort
En: Smooth honeywort
Nl: Kaal Wasbloempje
Fr: Mélinet glabre, Cérinthe des Alpes, Cérinthe glabre, Mélinet des Alpes
De: Alpen-Wachsblume
It: Erba-vajola alpina
Sv: Flerårig vaxblomma
Synonyms
Distribution
- Albania (native)
- Austria (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- France (native)
- Germany (native)
- Italy (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Poland (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Jun 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Thierry Pernot (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 20, 2020 by Lennaert Steen (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 20, 2020 by Lennaert Steen (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 20, 2020 by Lennaert Steen (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Apr 24, 2020 by elhoggo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 12, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
Taken May 16, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 16, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 16, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 4, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Marie Portas (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken May 16, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 6, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Anny RAIM (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 31, 2015 by Christian Widmann (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 20, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 12, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jul 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7294744)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:113813-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cerinthe glabra Mill.)
Specifications
Growth
Ph maximum: 7.0
Ph minimum: 6.5
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 6
Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]
Soil nutriments: 8