| Adonis vernalis | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus: | Adonis |
| Species: | A. vernalis |
| Binomial name | |
| Adonis vernalis L. |
|
Adonis vernalis, known variously as pheasant's eye, spring pheasant's eye, yellow pheasant's eye and false hellebore, is a perennial flowering plant found in dry meadows and steppes in Eurasia. Isolated populations are found from Spain in the west across central and southern Europe, reaching southern Sweden in the north, with its main area of distribution being the Pannonian Basin and the West Siberian Plain.[1] In contrast to most other European Adonis species, the flowers appear in springtime, and are up to 80 mm in diameter, with up to 20 bright yellow petals.
The plant is poisonous, containing cardiostimulant compounds, such as adonidin and aconitic acid.[2] In addition, it is often used as an ornamental plant.[3]
(Green false hellebore, sometimes also called simply "false hellebore," is Veratrum viride, a member of the lily family.)