Cerinthe major, called honeywort along with other members of its genus, is an annual species of flowering plant in the genus Cerinthe, native to the Mediterranean region (southern Europe, western Asia and northern Africa), and introduced to New Zealand.[1] Gardeners have a choice along a spectrum of cultivars ranging from Cerinthe major subsp. major, with sea-green bracts and yellow flowers, to Cerinthe major subsp. purpurascens with blue bracts and purple flowers.[2]
The following subspecies are currently accepted:[1]
In Europe, it flowers between May and August.[3]