Adonis vernalis - Adonis du printemps

Habitat

Exposition

Plein soleil ou mi-ombre

Humidité

Sol sec à moyen.

Sol

Tous sols. Nécessite un sol drainant.

pH

Sol acide ou calcaire

Rusticité

Zone 3

Habitat originel

Sunny grassy hills on dry calcareous soils[9]. A rare plant in most of its range, it has legal protection from gathering in most countries[238].

Origine géographique

C. and S. Europe

Dangers connus

• A toxic principle is present in very small quantities in the plant [7, 9, 13, 19, 65].
• It is poorly absorbed so poisoning is unlikely [65].

Usages médicinaux

• Pheasant's eye has a long history of medicinal use and is still retained in the Pharmacopoeias of several European countries [268].
• The plant contains cardiac glycosides similar to those found in the foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) [254].
• These substances improve the heart's efficiency, increasing its output at the same time as slowing its rate [254].
• 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 not often prescribed, however, due to irregular absorption [268].
• The herb is cardiotonic, diuretic, sedative and vasoconstrictor [4, 7, 9, 13, 46, 238].
• 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].
• 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].
• It is included in many proprietary medicines, especially since its effects are not cumulative [238].
• The plants are harvested every third year as they come into flower[7], they are dried for use in tinctures and liquid extracts [238].
• The herb does not store well so stocks should be replaced every year [238].
• Use with great caution[9], see the notes above on toxicity .
• The plant is used in homeopathy as a treatment for angina [254].

Culture

• Grows well in any ordinary garden soil that is not too heavy [1].
• Prefers a moist well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade [4, 200].
• Easily grown in a very well-drained rather dry soil in sun or part shade [187].
• Plants flower better when growing in a sunny position [268].
• This plant is adored by slugs and is therefore very difficult to grow in the open garden where slugs are common [187].
• A very ornamental plant[1], it is rather rare in the wild so only cultivated plants should be harvested [7].
• A greedy plant inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes [54].

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].
• Sow the seed in partial shade in rich soil in September or March [111].
• 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].
• Division in early spring or in autumn .
• The divisions can be difficult to establish[200], so it is probably best to pot them up and keep them in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are growing away well .