ONOS'MA TAURICA. 
GOLDEN-FLOWERED ONOSMA. 
Class. Order. 
PENTANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
BORAGlNEiE. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Introduced 
Tauria. 
3 inches. 
Apr. June. 
Perennial. 
in 1801. 
No. 234. 
Onosma is a name that was used by Dioscorides 
and others, supposed to be derived from the Greek 
osme, a smell or savour; and if so, applied by them, 
without doubt to a plant peculiarly distinguished for 
its pleasant odour. 
From the verj imperfect descriptions afforded by 
the works of the ancients, it has been impossible for 
modern botanists to identify their plants; but such 
names as had been used by them, which were not 
inadmissible, on account of barbarous construction, 
have generally been retained, in preference to bur- 
thening our botanical vocabulary with new ones. 
Thus it will appear, as in the present instance, that 
their origin must sometimes be obscure, and their 
application imperfect. 
Where the soil is dry, and the situation sufficiently 
warm and sheltered to support it in health, this little 
plant becomes desirable as an ornament to the flower 
border. 
Planted in fresh sandy loam, amongst rock-work, 
or on the side of a mount, in a southern aspect, it will 
generally flourish. A plant of it may also be kept 
in a pot amongst the al pines. 
Hort. Kew. 2, v. 1, 295. 
