Adonis

Plant Characteristics
Lifespan:	⌛	perennial, annual

Cultivation

Scientific Names
Ranunculaceae >	Adonis >

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Adonis is a genus of about 20-30 species of flowering plants of the family Ranunculaceae, native to Europe and Asia.

The species grow to 10-40 cm in height, with feathery, finely divided leaves. Their flowers are red, yellow or orange and have 5-30 petals.

They are cultivated for use in gardens, and have been introduced to North America. Adonis spp. contain poisonous chemicals similar to those found in many other genera in the Ranunculaceae.

Read about Adonis in the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture
Adonis (a favorite of Venus, after his death changed into a flower). Ranunculaceae. Hardy annual and perennial herbs planted for their showy flowers. Flowers solitary, terminal; petals 5-16, yellow or red; carpels many: st. about 1 ft. high, very leafy: lvs. alternate, cut into very narrow divisions: fr. an achene. The culture is simple in any good soil, light moist earth preferred. They thrive in full sun or partial shade; the perennial species well suited for rockwork and borders. Only a few well-known species, natives of temperate regions of Europe and Asia; perhaps 20 in the genus. Annuals are propagated by the seeds, which are slow-germinating; the freshest seed is sown in autumn or earliest spring. Perennials may, in like manner, be grown from seed and come to flower the first season, but division of the roots is to be preferred as the flowers are then more abundant. Very early spring is the best time for dividing. ^CH The above text is from the Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture. It may be out of date, but still contains valuable and interesting information which can be incorporated into the remainder of the article. Click on "Collapse" in the header to hide this text.