Nonea lutea

Nonea lutea (23/03/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun

Flowering period: Late winter to early spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 20cm

Eventual Spread: 40cm

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Boraginaceae

Nonea lutea is an evergreen biennial. Its dark green leaves are lanceolate with entire margins, rough in texture, up to 6cm long and 2cm broad. Its yellow flowers are up to 12mm across, borne in the leaf axils and are similar to those of the Primrose. Its fruit are small nutlets.

Nonea lutea Flower (23/03/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Nonea lutea, commonly known as Yellow Monkswort or Yellow Nonea, is native to south west Asia. And south west Russia. This biennial readily self seeds.

The etymological root of the binomial name Nonea is likely to be named after Johann Philippe Nonne (1729–72), a botanical writer, and Professor of Medicine from Germany. Lutea is from the Latin meaning ‘yellow’.

The landscape architect may find Nonea lutea useful as part of a wildflower meadow mix.

Ecologically, Nonea lutea flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.

Nonea lutea Leaf (23/03/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Nonea lutea prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Nonea lutea requires little maintenance. Unwanted seedlings should be removed.