Description and features of Adonis
Adonis grows in the steppes of Europe with large grass cover, sometimes found in Germany, Switzerland (very rarely, almost disappeared). He prefers black soil, open places, and small elevations. It can grow in some areas on rocks (Crimea), sometimes on the edge or on the lawns of birch groves or oak forests. It is found in Western Siberia, Altai, and the Caucasus, where its flowering period will only last until mid-June.
Poets compare this plant with the sun and spring. In botany, the description will not be so beautiful. Its single lemon flower (4-8 cm) is located at the crown of the stem. In summer, spherical fruits (20 mm) and nuts (30-40 pieces) with a hooked nose ripen. Leaves are brown. The lower ones resemble scales, the others are sessile, divided into narrow lobules. The straight shoot (15-30 cm) is smooth and round in shape. The vertical root is small with shoots, brownish in color.
The plant and its parts are considered poisonous. The Red Book in Russia includes Adonis vernalis for its protection.
It is grown industrially for use in pharmaceutical compositions or for the preparation of medicines. When independently collecting in nature, they do it carefully and selectively (3 stems per m2 must not be touched).
Description of the plant
The description of spring Adonis says that its root system is short and wide (4 cm) with a huge number of brown corded roots. Several bare stems up to 60 cm high extend from the main root. They have narrow leaves, at the root they are brown in color and resemble scales. Closer to the bud are shaggy sessile leaves of a rich green hue.
Adonis vernatum in natural habitat
The flowers are quite large, up to 60 cm in diameter. The petals are golden yellow. On one flower there can be from 15 to 20, up to 3 cm long. Externally, Adonis resembles a yellow daisy. Blooms in early spring.
For your information! Adonis (second name) is listed in the Red Book. It is becoming increasingly rare to be found in the wild.
The Legend of Adonis
There are many legends and myths about adonis. One of them describes the story of the wife of the Cypriot king and Aphrodite. The king's wife boasted to the goddess that her daughter Mira was more beautiful than her. Aphrodite got angry and cast a spell on Mira. The girl fell in love with her father and became pregnant, after which she was expelled from home. She wandered the world. After the birth of her son Adonis, she turned into a myrrh tree. Aphrodite felt ashamed of what she had done. She took the baby, put him in a casket and gave him to Persephone for safekeeping, who raised the child. Adonis died while hunting, and an Adonis flower grew from drops of his blood.
Types and varieties
Adonis is a plant that has about 40 species. Among the main ones are the following:
- downy adonis (Adonis vernalis). It got its name from its leaves, which look like fine hairs. Adonis vernalis is one of the most popular varieties;
- Adonis summer. Differs from its relatives in red petals. The middle of the flower is black, which resembles a small spot. Aestivalis blooms throughout the summer;
- Amur Adonis (Adonis Amurensis). Distributed in China, Japan and Korea. Grows up to 15 cm. Blooms earlier than spring varieties, and only for two weeks;
- Adonis annual red. The flowers are small red with a black spot in the middle. The leaves are narrow and dissected. Grows up to 50 cm. Blooms in early summer and blooms until September inclusive.
Note! Classic Adonis is a yellow-flowered herb that grows in Russia in temperate regions.
Fiery red summer adonis
Types and varieties of Adonis
Adonis differs by type: annual and perennial.
Annuals
The growing season of such a plant lasts one season.
Summer (aestivalis)
Other names are also known: ember in the fire or pheasant's eye. Its smooth stems (10-50 cm) with grooves can be different: branched, straight or simple. Leaves, consisting of two or three lobes, are of the following types: sessile at the top, petiolate at the bottom. Flower size 2-3 cm. Red perianth with a dark central spot. The flowering period is all summer.
Autumn (annua)
Sometimes called Adonis annua. Grows up to 30 cm. The leaves are thin, cut in an alternate arrangement. The flowers are light yellow or deep red (1.5 cm), closed at the top. Their central part is dark. Cultivated artificially since 1596.
Perennials
For several years they grow in one place and do not change their properties. They have periods of development and rest.
Volzhsky (volgensis)
The inflorescence is lemon and the sepals are purple. There are few shoots from the thick root. Height 30 cm. It begins to branch from half the stem. Before the first inflorescence appears, there is frequent pubescence on the leaves and stems, then it thins out. The cut leaf curls towards the ground.
Amur (amurensis)
Grows in the Far East. The first to appear are yellowish-golden large flowers (5 cm). Then feathery leaves with petioles. During the blooming period, the plant's growth is 12 cm, later 35. It belongs to the forest species, flowering lasts almost 20 days. Based on it, many varieties with different shades have been bred.
| Variety | Flowers |
| Ben Ten | Velvet white. |
| Sandanzaki | Yellow, protective-colored petals in the middle, semi-fluffy. |
| Hinomoto | The front part is protective bronze, the lower part is coral. |
| Pleniflora | Straw with greenery, shaggy. |
| Ramosa | Red-chestnut, fluffy. |
Siberian (sibirica)
Rich golden (6 cm) flower. Grows up to 60 cm, leaves are pinnately divided. Blooms in late spring or June.
Fluffy (villosa)
For growth, it chooses the edges of birch groves or flat steppe. It has single, densely pubescent stems (15 cm). First, lemon flowers appear, then triangular or oval-shaped leaves begin to grow. During this period, the pubescence decreases, and the height reaches 30 cm.
Golden (chrysocyathus)
A very rare flower, included in the International Red Book. Healthy and highly valued in design.
Turkestan (turkestanicus)
On one bush there are simultaneously ovaries, buds and flowers (4-6 cm). The color of the petals of the inflorescence is of two shades: the outer part is light blue, the inner part is orange-yellow. The above-ground parts of the medicinal plant are covered with curly hairs.
Mongolian (mongolica)
Typically grows in unused pastures. The bush consists of 30 shoots. The white flower (5 cm) blooms first. Sepals are lettuce with a lilac tint. The leaves are sessile in the middle, the lower ones are reduced.
Spring (vernalis)
Artificial breeding of this species began in the 16th century for decorative and medicinal purposes. A thick, small rhizome produces many branched brown shoots. During the flowering period, the height is 5-20 cm, after 40-60. The foliage is finger-like, cut into narrow lobes. Yellow flowers (7 cm) consist of 12-20 glossy petals, which appear at 4-6 years of age in April.
Botanical characteristics
The plant of the buttercup family with the Latin name Adonis is distinguished not only by its species diversity, but also by the multiplicity of popular names. It is known as Adonis, Ogonek, Uglek, Mohnatik, Montenegrin, Adonis, Firebird, cultivation from seeds of which led to the development of another 35 - 40 plant species.
The natural habitat of Adonis is mountains, the foot of cliffs, and flat steppes. The flower prefers cool regions of Asia and Europe. The plant feels good both in the Caucasus and Crimea, and in Siberia.
Characteristics of all types:
- the originality of the root system, presented in the form of developed cord-like roots;
- shoots, depending on the variety, are branched or single;
- the height of the stems in the flowering phase ranges from 5 to 20 cm, and can reach up to 50 cm;
- palmate-needle-shaped leaves in the form of narrow divided lobes resemble pine needles;
- single flowers, 4–6 cm in size, are placed at the tip of the stems, forming at least 50 flowers on one bush;
- petals are bright yellow, less often red and even white;
- the fruit is a leaflet with a sharp or bent nose, inside which the seeds ripen.
The main question of interest to gardeners is when Adonis blooms. The flowering period directly depends on the type of plant: from late April or early May for 15 - 20 days.
Adonis petals open at the first rays of sunlight and close in the afternoon. In cloudy or cold weather the bud does not bloom.
Growing Adonis from seeds
Sowing seeds is slightly different for annuals and perennials. Annuals are planted in the fall (November) in the garden to a depth of 1-2 cm. Germination may persist for a short time, so it is better to use recently collected ones. Store-bought seeds are sown in a greenhouse in the spring.
Perennials are planted in containers in the fall and then placed in a cool place. In winter, if there is snow, they are placed in a snowdrift.
The best seeds can be obtained from plants that are 6-7 years old.
It is advisable to prepare the soil for sowing by mixing sand, turf soil and manure in a ratio of 2:1:1. The first shoots usually appear after the air warms up and reaches +20 °C. However, there are seeds that may take a whole year to germinate.
Seedlings need bright light, but it must be diffused and must be protected from direct rays. Irrigation and careful loosening are performed daily. The seedlings are thinned out, leaving a distance of 15-20 cm.
If there is little time left before the transplant, it is better not to do this.
Features of planting seeds
Growing the Adonis flower is possible in different ways. It is advisable to first plant the seeds in boxes and grow seedlings in them. With the onset of spring days, the grown sprouts are planted in specially prepared lime soil.
The second method is to plant seeds directly into the ground. You can plant seeds in the ground in summer or early spring. However, when planted in the ground, germination is much lower, and plants grow with difficulty.
When planting adonis seeds in the ground or in greenhouse conditions, the following rules must be observed::
- It is better to sow seeds in the ground in November or in the spring - in greenhouses.
- Plant the seeds into the soil to a depth of 2 cm.
- Sprinkle with earth mixed with humus and lime.
- For rapid germination, constant watering is required.
With proper care, seedlings appear in 20-25 days. The seedlings are placed in a well-lit place. However, the sprouts should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Young sprouts require daily watering and subsequent loosening of the soil.
Transplanting Adonis seedlings into open ground
Caring for and planting plants in open ground is a simple procedure. Usually strong and already grown sprouts are planted. Depending on when the seeds sprout, the time of transplantation is determined. It must be remembered that in order for a flower to winter safely, it needs to take root well, and this takes 4 months.
A great place in the garden for Adonis would be one where there is plenty of sunlight in the morning and shade in the afternoon. For abundant flowering, the soil must contain a lot of fertilizers and lime, acidity 7.0-7.5 pH. The distance between seedlings is left 25-30 cm. The prepared hole must be deep enough for the root so that it does not bend. After planting, water and cover. In the first year after, it usually does not bloom due to its slow development.
Diseases and pests
Since all parts of the adonis are toxic, and the highest concentration of poison is in the root, pests avoid contact with the plant.
The most common diseases:
- Rot . Improper watering, accumulation of moisture in the soil - this is enough for rotting to begin. A preventive measure would be good drainage and moderate watering of Adonis.
- Fusarium . The fungus causes a change in the structure of the stem and wilting of the flower. A control measure will be treatment with the antifungal agent "Benomil".
Caring for Adonis in the garden
Adonis is an unpretentious plant, so it does not require special care. The following procedures must be carried out:
- regular watering, preventing both drying out and stagnation of moisture;
- periodic loosening to ensure access of air and water to the roots;
- regular application of fertilizers (complex, manure) before flowering and at the end of summer;
- Blooming inflorescences are not picked during the first 2 years so as not to damage the renewal buds;
- shelter for the winter.
Application in medicine
During flowering, Adonis serves not only as a decoration for a garden or personal plot. In addition to decorative purposes, the flower is used in medicine. Its raw materials contain many useful properties. Treatment with adonis allows you to get rid of many diseases of the urinary system in the shortest possible time, helps with heart problems and damage to the central nervous system. It is better to collect adonis on warm and sunny days, then the flowers will bring maximum benefit. Adonis raw materials are contraindicated for gastritis and ulcers, hypertension.
Important! Before use, you should consult your doctor for indications and contraindications.
Adonis flowers are used in folk medicine
Seed collection should begin when they are not yet fully ripe. Planting material is not stored for a long time; after collection, it must be immediately planted in the soil.
Adonis Reproduction
The plant is propagated in two ways: seedlings and dividing the bush. The first option is growing from seeds. The second can be applied to those bushes that are 5 years old or more. This is usually done in early autumn. Carefully dig up the bush and tear it into several parts so that each one contains a root and at least 2 buds. It is advisable to leave the parts large to facilitate the rooting process. The cut site is disinfected and immediately planted.
Caring for them is the same as for young seedlings. If flowers appear on such a bush, they must be carefully removed. The plant should take root well in its new location before the onset of cold weather.
Mr. Summer resident recommends: medicinal properties of Adonis vernalis
Of all the types of Adonis, the spring one has known medicinal properties. It contains cardiac glycosides, vitamin C, Mg, K, Ca, Mg, Fe salts and tannins. They determine the use of the plant in folk and official medicine:
- Circulatory disorders, nervous system disorders, epilepsy, hypertension, etc. Improves heart function, blood pressure normalizes, shortness of breath and swelling of the legs decreases.
- Kidney diseases. As a diuretic for urolithiasis.
- Whooping cough, chronic bronchitis. Has a depressing effect on the cough center.
- Joint pain, rheumatism.
- Glaucoma, hepatitis.
Decoctions, infusions, teas and alcohol tinctures are prepared from it. The combined use of adonis with other medicinal plants has proven well. Medicinal mixtures are prepared for kidney diseases, hypertension, and in the complex treatment of hepatitis. In medicine, Adonis is included in some types of tablets (Adonis-bromine) and mixtures (Bekhterev), homeopathic preparations.
Adonis - traditional medicine recipes
Doctors call Adonis a heart herb - it is used mainly for various heart diseases: for relatively mild forms of chronic circulatory failure, cardiac neuroses, vegetative-vascular dystonia, infectious diseases that occur with symptoms of weakened cardiac activity.
The recipes for treating the heart with Adonis are almost all the same: for the infusion, take no more than 5-6 g per 200 ml of boiling water and take 1, rarely 2 tablespoons three times a day.
But Adonis has original, practically unknown abilities. For example, Adonis is effective for cocaine-induced seizures in drug addicts. Pre-administration of an infusion or tincture of adonis prevents deaths. These drugs also prevent the onset of camphor convulsions, as well as convulsions caused by picrotoxin. Convulsions can be caused by all sorts of reasons and, I think, one simple recipe will not hurt anyone.
Adonis for cramps
You need to take 1 tablespoon of freshly dried adonis herb, pour 1.5 cups of boiling water, close the lid and leave in a dark place for 2 hours. Strain. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day. Prepare the infusion fresh daily, as it quickly loses its strength and sours.
Suffocation
From suffocation with a strong cough. Pour 1 teaspoon of the herb into half a glass of boiling water, leave for 1-2 hours, strain and take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day until you feel better.
Adonis for myositis
Take 7 g of dry herb, pour 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 1 hour. Drink 1 tablespoon 3 times a day for muscle pain (and joint pain too). After each month of treatment you need to take a break for 10 days.
For chronic heart failure and neurosis
Pour 2 tablespoons of crushed Adonis herb with 1 glass of boiling water, leave for 30 minutes, strain. Take 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.
