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*In The Name Of God*
Adonis vernalis
Plant For A Future
Common
name:
Author:
Pheasant's
Eye
L.
Order
Ranunculaceae
family
Buttercup
Sunny grassy hills on dry calcareous soils [9]
Habitat:
Launert. E. . A rare plant in most of its range, it has
legal protection from gathering in most
countries[238]. Bown. D
Other
Common
Names:
Adoine [E], MERCK E 1893
Adonis Vernal [E],
Adonisroschen [E],
Duivelsoog [E],
Eliboro Falso [E],
Hellebore,Black [E],
Ilkbahar Kanavci Otu [E],
Ox Eye [E],
Ox-eye [H], HARA A, Y DEYASHIKI, T
NAKAYAMA, H SAWADA 1983
Spring Adonis [L],
Spring Pheasant's Eye [P],
FAULKNER P 1958
Spring Pheasant's-eye [B],
HOFFMAN PL, B WERMUTH,
Sweet Vernal [H],
Voorjaaradonis [D],
Parts used:
Roots and whole plants.
Description: Adonis vernalis is an
herbaceous perennial 15-40cm
high, with bright yellow flowers
and numerous feathery leaves
(Blamey & Grey-Wilson 1989)
known for it's medicinal uses
*The flowers are hermaphrodite
(have both male and female organs)
and are pollinated by Bees, flies and
beetles.
*The plant is self-fertile.
Ribitol, a five-carbon sugar alcohol, is
commonly referred to as adonitol
which reflects its first definitive
characterization by Merck in 1893
from the leaves of Adonis vernalis L.
(20). MERCK E 1893 Adonit, ein krystallisierender Korper
aus Adonis vernalis. Arch
Pharm 231: 129-131
The ribitol content of Adonis leaves
can vary from 0.9 to 5.3% dry weight
depending on the species (8, 17)
(Chem Abstr 86: 40277c, 1977),
KOMISSARENKO NF, EP STUPAKOVA. N VOROB'EV, SI
KARNUS 1982
This study presents evidence for a
new enzyme, D-ribose-5-P
reductase,
which catalyzes the reaction:
D-ribose-5-P + NADPH + H+ ---->
D-ribitol-- 5-P + NADP+.
D-ribitol
The enzyme also reduced
D- erythrose4-P, D-erythrose,
DL-glyceraldehyde,
and the aromatic aldehyde
3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde.
D-Ribose-5-P reductase is distinct
from the other known ribitol
synthesizing enzymes detected in
bacteria and yeast, and may be
responsible for ribitol synthesis in
Adonis vernalis.
This enzyme should
be named D-ribose-5-P reductase
and that D-ribose-5-P is the
immediate precursor for ribitol
biosynthesis in Adonis vernalis.
Medicinal Uses
Cardiotonic Diuretic Sedative
Vasoconstrictor.
Pheasant's eye has a long history of
medicinal use and is still retained in
the Pharmacopoeias of several
European countries[268]. Stuart. M
The plant contains cardiac
glycosides similar to
those found in the foxglove ,
(Digitalis purpurea).
[254 Chevallier. A.1996 ]
These substances improve the
heart's efficiency, increasing
its output at the same time as
slowing its rate[254].
Chevallier. A
It also has a sedative action and
so is generally prescribed for
patients whose hearts are beating
too fast or irregularly[254
The herb is cardiotonic, diuretic,
sedative and vasoconstrictor.
[4, 7, 9, 13, 46, 238]. Grieve, Chiej. R, Launert. E,
Triska. Dr, Uphof. J. C. Th
Use with great caution[9]. Launert. E
It has sometimes been used
internally as a cardiotonic with
success where the better known
foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) has
failed - especially where there is also
kidney disease[4]. Grieve,1984
The herb is also used in the
treatment of low blood pressure and
its strong diuretic action can be used
to counter water retention[254].
The plant is used in homeopathy as a
treatment for angina[254].
Chevallier. A 1996
Other Uses
None known
It is included in many proprietary
medicines, especially since its effects are
not cumulative[238].
Bown. D ,1995
The plants are harvested every third
year as they come into flower[7]. Chiej. R 1984
they are dried for use in tinctures
and liquid extracts[238]. Bown. D 1995
The herb does not store well so
stocks should be replaced every
year[238].
Bown. D
Uses: Adonis vernalis produces
heart glycosides. It is used in
remedies for mild weakness of
the heart, especially when these
are accompanied by nervous
complaints.
It is mainly used for less severe
cases. Adonis has a calming
action.
In homeopathy it is
used for nervous, heart and
circulation disorders, and for
hyperactive thyroid problems.
Geographical distribution:
Central and southern Europe,
including the Carpathian Mountain,
north to southern Sweden;
east to the Urals and
western Siberia.
Habitat:
Dry meadows,
steppe grassland,
steppe woods.
Propagation
* Seed - best sown in a cold frame as
soon as it is ripe or else it can be slow
and erratic to germinate[200, 238].
,
Huxley. A1992 , Bown. D 1995
* Sow the seed in partial shade in rich
soil in September or March[111].
Sanders. T. W . 1926
* Prick out the seedlings when they
are large enough to handle and grow
them on in the cold frame for their
first season.
* Plant out when dormant in the
autumn[K]. Ken Fern
Division in early spring or in autumn•
* The divisions can be difficult to
establish[200], Huxley. A
*so it is probably best to pot them up and
keep them in a cold frame or greenhouse until
they are growing away well.
Physical Characteristics
*Perennial growing to 0.3m by 0.3m.
*It is in flower in March, and the
seeds ripen from May to June.
* Plants flower better when growing in a
sunny position[268].
Cultivation details
*Grows well in any ordinary garden soil that is not
too heavy[1]. F. Chittendon
*Prefers a moist well-drained soil in sun or semishade[4, 200]. Grieve , Huxley. A 1992
*Easily grown in a very well-drained rather dry soil
in sun or part shade[187]. Phillips. R. & Rix. M
*The plant prefers light (sandy), medium
(loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and
requires well-drained soil.
*A greedy plant inhibiting the growth of
nearby plants, especially legumes[54].
Hatfield. A. W ,1977
*The plant prefers acid, neutral
and basic (alkaline) soils.
*It can grow in semi-shade (light
woodland) or no shade.
* It requires dry or moist soil.
*This plant is adored by slugs and is therefore
very difficult to grow in the open garden
where slugs are common[187]. Phillips. R. &
Rix. M
*A very ornamental plant [1], F. Chittendon
,1951
*it is rather rare in the wild so only cultivated
plants should be harvested[7]. Chiej. R ,1984
Legal protection:
* Adonis vernalis is also protected
under national laws in various
European countries.

In Bulgaria it is protected under the 
Nature Protection Law of 1967,
although only since 1992 has wild
harvesting become regulated through
the use of quotas.

Conservation assessment:
Adonis vernalis is becoming rare
in southern and central Europe.
*The main threats to Adonis vernalis
are habitat loss and unsustainable
harvesting. (largely due to the
intensification of agriculture)
* Inappropriate methods of collection
include the harvesting of whole plants,
including their rhizomes, collection
before the seed has set, and failure to
adopt rotational harvesting.
There was no established
programmes of cultivation
which is considered difficult
and not commercially viable.
*plants grow slowly under cultivation and
require much labour.
*Wild harvesting can have negative
impacts on related species,such as
A.wolgensis and A. transylvania, both of
which are becoming vulnerable in
Romania.
Conservation recommendations :
Legislation has gone some way towards
protecting Adonis vernalis.
In the absence of economically viable
cultivation, more effort should be given to
developing better systems for the
management of wild populations, including
their monitoring.
Better methods of regulating the harvesting of
Adonis vernalis could include:
*the establishment of annual quotas for
countries and regions,
*the limiting of harvests at the local level
to a quarter of the populations,
*the rotation of harvesting areas and
protection of natural habitats.
*Collection should be prohibited from
some areas to conserve the genepool.
* Greater care should be taken
when harvesting, including leaving
parts of rhizomes or only cutting aerial
parts. (Lange 1998).
Whole plants should not be pulled up.
Other Range Info:
Epithets:From a Dictionary of Botanical Epithets
Systematics:From a USDA Plants Database
Ethnobotany DatabaseBritain Europe France From the
Germany Netherlands Spain Turkey