Pheasant's eye Adonis annua
ABOUT
The plant known commonly as Pheasant's Eye is characterized by its showy and vibrant flowers. These blooms are usually a bright red or sometimes a yellow color, radiating a warmth that can catch the eye from a distance. The flowers bear a close resemblance to buttercups and have a distinctive dark spot at the base, which is thought to resemble an eye – hence the name. The petals are numerous and arranged in a way that gives the flower a rounded, full appearance. The foliage of Pheasant's Eye is equally delicate and fine-textured, consisting of feathery leaves that are finely divided into thread-like segments. These leafy segments give the plant an overall ferny appearance. The leaves grow in an alternately arranged pattern along the stems which are slender and may sometimes seem to be slightly waxy or shiny under light. The overall aspect of Pheasant's Eye is one of delicate beauty, with the fine foliage providing a contrasting backdrop to the bold, colorful blooms that catch the eye and are the defining feature of this plant. Despite the absence of size descriptors, it's evident that the balance between the leaves and flowers gives Pheasant's Eye an elegant structure that might be appealing to those who appreciate the intricate details of plant compositions.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Ranunculaceae
Synonyms
Pheasant's Eye, Red Morocco, Blooddrops, Red Chamomile, Rose-A-Ruby, Soldiers-In-Green
Common names
Adonis autumnalis, Adonis flammea, Adonis microcarpa, Adonanthe vernalis.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Annuals
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
1 foot (30 cm)
Spread
1 foot (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Adonis annua produces brightly colored flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects, supporting biodiversity.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The plant has vibrant red or yellow flowers that add color and visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Erosion Control: The root system of Adonis annua helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes and disturbed areas.
- Seasonal Interest: It blooms in the spring, providing early seasonal interest after the winter months.
- Habitat for Wildlife: The plant can offer shelter and breeding spots for various insects and small animals within a naturalized garden setting.
- Education and Research: Adonis annua is used in educational settings as a model organism for plant biology studies, due to its interesting life cycle and floral morphology.
Medical Properties- Cardiac glycoside content: Adonis annua contains cardiac glycosides that can have an effect on the cardiovascular system.
- Diuretic effects: The plant has been known to possess diuretic properties, which can help in the excretion of urine.
- Traditional use in heart conditions: Historically, it has been used in traditional medicine systems to treat certain heart conditions. (Note: this use may not be backed by contemporary scientific evidence and could be unsafe).
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Pomegranate Worm Attractant: The Adonis annua, or pheasant's eye, can be used as a trap crop for the pomegranate worm, as they are attracted to the plant, which aids in protecting pomegranate orchards.
- Natural Dye: The flowers of pheasant's eye can be used to produce a red natural dye for coloring textiles and fabrics.
- Folk Art Material: The dried flowers and stems are sometimes used in creating traditional folk art decorations due to their bright color and delicate structure.
- Insectary Plant: Pheasant's eye can serve as a habitat for beneficial insects, promoting biodiversity in gardens and agricultural systems.
- Photography Subject: Its vibrant flowers make pheasant's eye a popular subject for photographers, particularly those specializing in botanical and macro photography.
- Educational Resource: Schools and educational programs use the plant to teach botany and plant life cycles, given its distinctive stages of growth and blooming.
- Garden Aesthetics: Gardeners may utilize pheasant's eye for ornamental purposes to create patterns and themes in landscape design.
- Floristry: Although not a traditional cut flower, pheasant's eye can be used in wildflower arrangements and rustic floral designs for its unique appearance.
- Literary Inspiration: Pheasant's eye, with its striking appearance and historical references, sometimes serves as an inspiration for poets and writers.
- Seasonal Indicator: In some cultures, the flowering of pheasant's eye is used as an indicator of the arrival of spring or the timing to plant certain crops.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Pheasant's Eye is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Pheasant's Eye is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Beauty and Desire: The name Adonis is associated with a figure from Greek mythology known for his exceptional beauty and desire. Hence, the plant symbolizes these attributes.
- Death and Renewal: Adonis was beloved by the goddess Aphrodite but died tragically. The annual blooming of the plant signifies the cycle of life, encompasses both death and renewal.
- Transient Nature of Life: As an annual, the Adonis annua's life cycle is brief, symbolizing the fleeting and temporary nature of existence.
- Remembrance: The plant is sometimes associated with remembering lost loved ones, possibly relating to the mourning of Adonis by Aphrodite.
WaterFor Pheasant’s eye, ensure the soil remains moderately moist, but never waterlogged. Water the plant thoroughly once the top inch of the soil feels dry to the touch, which might be approximately once a week, depending on the environmental conditions. Use around 16 ounces of water each time for a small to medium-sized pot, ensuring it's distributed evenly around the base of the plant. During the growing season in spring and early summer, the plant may require more frequent watering, possibly twice a week. Cut back on watering in the fall and winter, reducing it to when the soil is dry a couple of inches deep.
LightPheasant’s eye thrives best in full sunlight to ensure healthy growth and flowering. Plant it in a location where it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. If you're growing it indoors, a south-facing window is usually the ideal spot for it to get the necessary light exposure.
TemperaturePheasant’s eye prefers a temperate climate with temperatures ranging from 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant can tolerate a minimum temperature down to approximately 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but frost can be harmful. Ensure that it's protected from extreme heat or cold, and the ideal growing conditions are within the mid-range of its temperature tolerance for optimal growth.
PruningPrune pheasant’s eye after flowering to maintain its shape and remove spent flowers, which encourages further blooming. Pruning can be done every other year or as needed to remove any dead or damaged stems. The best time for pruning is late summer or early fall, once the plant has finished blooming for the season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilPheasant's eye thrives in well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. The best soil mix for this plant should be a combination of sand, loam, and organic matter to ensure good drainage and fertility.
RepottingPheasant's eye is an annual and does not typically require repotting. Since it completes its life cycle in one year, it is generally sown directly into the ground where it will bloom.
Humidity & MistingPheasant's eye prefers moderate humidity levels and does not tolerate high humidity well. Average room humidity is suitable for this plant when grown indoors.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide bright light and well-draining soil for indoor Pheasant's eye.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun with well-draining soil for outdoor Pheasant's eye.
Hardiness zone
3-7 USDA.
Life cycleAdonis annua, commonly known as pheasant's eye, begins its life cycle as a seed, which requires a period of cold stratification to break dormancy. Upon germination in the spring, the plant develops a rosette of fern-like leaves at ground level. As it matures, Adonis annua elongates into a flowering stem and produces bright red flowers with a dark spot at the base of each petal, usually with one flower per stem. After flowering, the plant produces a fruit which is a capsule containing numerous small seeds. These seeds are dispersed by various means, including wind and possibly animals. The plant completes its life cycle by dying after seed dispersion, as it is an annual species, and relies on the germination of its seeds for the continuation of the population in the following season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring
The most common method of propagating the pheasant's eye, or Adonis annua, is through its seeds. Ideally, the seeds should be sown in fall, allowing them to experience a natural stratification process during the winter months. This cold period helps break the seed's dormancy, leading to better germination rates in the spring. To propagate, scatter the seeds over a well-drained soil mix and lightly cover them with soil. Keep the soil moist but not overly wet, and place the seeding container in a location that receives plenty of sunlight. Germination will typically occur as temperatures rise in the spring. Seedlings can then be thinned out and transplanted to their final growing locations when they are large enough to handle.
