Adonis pyrenaica

Adonis pyrenaica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Ranunculales
Family:	Ranunculaceae
Genus:	Adonis
Species:	A. pyrenaica
Binomial name
Adonis pyrenaica DC.
Synonyms
Adonanthe apennina (L.) A N. Sennikov Adonanthe pyrenaica Spach Adonis alpina Rouy et Fouc. Adonis apennina Schouw ex DC. Chrysocyathus pyrenaicus (DC.) Chrtek & Slaviková Cosmarium pyrenaicum Dulac

Adonis pyrenaica, common name Pyrenean pheasant's eye, is a species of plant in the family Ranunculaceae.

Distribution

This very rare species is a native plant of the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Mountains in southwestern Europe. One station is present in the Maritime Alps of southeast France. It is also cultivated as an ornamental plant.

Habitat

These orophyte plants prefer rocky mountains, with calcareous or sometimes siliceous scree and stony lawns with discontinuous vegetation, at an elevation of 1,300–2,400 metres (4,300–7,900 ft) above sea level.

Description

Adonis pyrenaica has an erect and a little pubescent stem, forming thick tufts measuring approximately 10–30 centimetres (3.9–11.8 in). Leaves of this plant are alternate, the lower ones have a long petiole. The plant produces inflorescences showing from one to three yellow flowers, with petals of about 1–1.5 centimetres (0.39–0.59 in). The yellow sepals may be glabrous or slightly hairy. Corolla can reach a width of 5–7 centimetres (2.0–2.8 in) and it is composed of 10 to 15 obovate petals. Stamens have yellow anthers. The fruits are in the form of achenes of 6–7 mm, from glabrous to densely pubescent.

Biology

This perennial herbaceous plant is hermaphrodite. It blooms from June to July and it is pollinated by insects (entomophily), where as seeds are disseminated by the animals.

Gallery

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  Plant of Adonis pyrenaica
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  Close-up on a flower

Bibliography

• Marcel Saule, « Adonis des Pyrénées » dans Le Dictionnaire des Pyrénées, Toulouse, Privat, 1999, 923 p. (ISBN 2708968165)