Horitsvet, or Adonis, Vesenny

Adonis, Or Adonis, Spring: a rare and poisonous flower under protection

Spring Adonis, also known as Adonis, is a rare and beautiful flower that is found only in a few places, mainly in Eastern and Southern Europe. This is a perennial plant that can reach a height of 15 to 30 cm. It is distinguished by a powerful rhizome and numerous roots. The stems bear numerous triple- or quadruple-pinnate leaves with thread-like, sharp segments. The erect or drooping peduncle ends in one large golden and shiny flower, which can reach up to 7 cm in diameter. Spring adonis blooms from April to May.

However, despite its beauty, spring adonis is a poisonous plant that is under strict protection. It belongs to the buttercup family - Ranunculaceae, and has popular names such as Montenegrin and devil's eye. The entire flowering plant is used, with the exception of the roots. The pharmaceutical name for spring adonis is Adonidis herba (formerly: Heiba ​​Adonidis).

Spring adonis contains cardiac glycosides, which are used in herbal preparations for heart disease and circulatory diseases under the supervision of a physician. It can also be used in homeopathy to stimulate circulation and for prostate diseases. At the same time, spring adonis should be taken only under the supervision of a doctor, since an overdose can cause nervous excitement, disturbances in gastric and intestinal activity, as well as nausea and vomiting.

The spring adonis is currently endangered due to habitat loss and overharvesting. Therefore, the protection and conservation of this rare flower are important tasks for preserving the biodiversity of our planet.