Bonnetta

Bonnetta is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, native to the Mediterranean region and the Canary Islands. The genus is characterized by its small, annual herbs, typically growing to a height of 10-30 centimeters. The leaves are linear to lanceolate, arranged alternately along the stem, and often have a hairy texture. The inflorescence is a small, flat-topped cluster of flowers, each with a yellow or white corolla and a five-lobed disk. The fruit is a small, hairy achene, which is dispersed by wind. Bonnetta species are often used in rock gardens and other dry, sunny locations due to their low water requirements and ability to tolerate poor soil conditions. The genus is named after the French botanist Pierre Bonnet, who first described the type species, Bonnetta montana, in 1811. There are currently about 15 recognized species within the genus Bonnetta, with the most common being Bonnetta montana and Bonnetta procumbens.