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Genus Pulsatilla Mill.

Род 301(14). КОТЕНЦЕ — PULSATILLA MILL.¹

Mill., Qard. Diet. Abridg., ed. 4 (1754)3.

Fam:   Genus Pulsatilla Mill.
Genus:   Pulsatilla Mill.
English Name: Pasque flower (or Pasqueflower), Wind flower, Prairie crocus, Easter flower, and Meadow anemone.

Description:

Tufted perennial hermaphrodite or unisexual herbaceous plants with a thick rhizome. Leaves 2 - 4 times simply or palpably cut, often in a young state covered with silky hairs; the stem leaves usually sitting down and join at the base. Blossoms single. Perianth most often composed of 6 long fibrous from its outer face leaflets. Stamens and carpellums are numerous; Nectar-producing stamidions also develop. The styles of the fructus are elongated and feathered. The assembled fruit composed of many one seed nuts. Pollinate by insects. Propagate with seeds and vegetative.

Table for determining the species

1  The basal leaves eternally green, just perestes; the pieces with triangular teeth or shallowly distributed on 2 - 3 short wide triangular partitions. The inner whitish leaves whitish .............................................................................................................................................................. 1. - P. vernalis (L.) Mill.
1* The basal leaves are 2 - 4 times feathery, less often simple feathery, but in such case the shares  deeply cut; the shares linear or linear lance, dries in autumn; often new ones develop after blossoming. The blossoms bluish, dove, purple or violet ...................................................................................... 2
2  Perianth leaflets less than 1 and 1/2 times longer than stamens, on the tip curved outwards ................................................... 2. - P. pratensis (L.) Mill.
2* Perianth leaflets at least 2 times longer than stamens, at the top uncovered outside …................................................................................................ 3
3   Basal leaves simply or less often 2 times feathery with 3 - 5 basic shares ......................................................................... 3. – P. hallerii (All.) Willd.
3* Basal leaves (3) 4 times feathery with 6 - 9 main shares ............................................................ 4
4   Wrapping  leaflets  40 - 60 mm long, with 33 - 42 shares. Blossoms 58 - 72 mm in diameter. ................. 5. - P. slaviankae (Ziram.) D. Jord. et Koz.
4* Wrapping  leaflets  27 - 37 mm long, with 25 - 33 shares. Blossoms up to 53 mm in diameter ............................. 4. - P. montana (Hoppe) Reichenb.
¹ Developed by D. Yordanov and St. Kozhuharov.

From  „Флора на НР България”, том IV, БАН, София, (1970)

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The genus Pulsatilla contains about 33 species of herbaceous perennials native to meadows and prairies of North America, Europe, and Asia. Common names include pasque flower (or pasqueflower), wind flower, prairie crocus, Easter flower, and meadow anemone. Several species are valued ornamentals because of their finely-dissected leaves, solitary bell-shaped flowers, and plumed seed heads. The showy part of the flower consists of sepals, not petals.
The genus Pulsatilla is sometimes considered a subgenus under the genus Anemone or as an informally named "group" within Anemone subgenus Anemone section Pulsatilloides.[1]
The flower blooms early in spring, which leads to the common name Pasque flower, since Pasque refers to Easter (Passover). In South Dakota in the center of North America, the flower sprouts from late March through early June.[2]
Pulsatilla patens is the provincial flower of Manitoba, Canada[3] and (as the synonym P. hirsutissima) is the state flower of the US state of South Dakota.[4] Pulsatilla vulgaris is the County flower for both Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire in England.[5] Pulsatilla vernalis is the county flower of Oppland, Norway.

Use and toxicity

Pulsatilla is highly toxic, and produces cardiogenic toxins and oxytoxins which slow the heart in humans. Excess use can lead to diarrhea, vomiting and convulsions,[6] hypotension and coma.[7] It has been used as a medicine by Native Americans for centuries. Blackfoot Indians used it to induce abortions and childbirth.[6] Pulsatilla should not be taken during pregnancy nor during lactation.[8]
Extracts of Pulsatilla have been used to treat reproductive problems such as premenstrual syndrome and epididymitis.[8] Additional applications of plant extracts include uses as a sedative and for treating coughs.[8] It is also used as an initial ingredient in homeopathic remedies.[8]

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Pulsatilla

The genus Pulsatilla is in the family Ranunculaceae in the major group Angiosperms (Flowering plants).
From “The Plant List” - www.theplantlist.org/browse/A/Ranunculaceae/Pulsatilla/

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References: „Флора на НР България”, том IV, БАН, София, (1970), Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, “The Plant List” - www.theplantlist.org/browse/A/Ranunculaceae/Pulsatilla/

Distribution in Bulgaria: (Conspectus of the Bulgarian Vascular Flora) = conspectus&gs_l= Zlc.
Distribution:

SPECIES:

Pulsatilla montana (Hoppe) Reichenb. - Cut-leaved anemone, Small-flower anemone, Piper’s anemone


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