1911 Encyclopædia Britannica/Adonis (plants)

ADONIS, a genus of plants belonging to the natural order Ranunculaceae, known commonly by the names of pheasant’s eye and Flos Adonis. They are annual or perennial herbs with much divided leaves and yellow or red flowers. Adonis autumnalis has become naturalized in some parts of England; the petals are scarlet with a dark spot at the base. An early flowering species, Adonis vernalis, with large bright yellow flowers, is well worthy of cultivation. It prefers a deep light soil. The name is also given to the butterfly, Mazarine or Clifton Blue (Polyommatus Adonis).