Trollius

Trollius is a genus of about 30 species of flowering plants closely related to Ranunculus, in the family Ranunculaceae. The common name of some species is globeflower[1] or globe flower. The generic name is derived from the Swiss-German word "Trollblume", meaning a rounded flower.[2] Native to the cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the greatest diversity of species in Asia, Trollius usually grow in heavy, wet clay soils.[3]

Trollius
Trollius europaeus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Order: Ranunculales
Family: Ranunculaceae
Subfamily: Ranunculoideae
Tribe: Adonideae
Genus: Trollius
L.
Species

About 30, including:
Trollius acaulis
Trollius altaicus
Trollius asiaticus
Trollius austrosibiricus
Trollius chinensis
Trollius dschungaricus
Trollius europaeus
Trollius farreri
Trollius japonicus
Trollius laxus
Trollius ledebourii
Trollius lilacinus
Trollius paluster
Trollius papaverus
Trollius pumilus
Trollius ranunculinus
Trollius yunnanensis

Description

They are mostly herbaceous, fibrous rooted perennials with bright yellow, orange or lilac coloured flowers. The name "globe flower" refers to the petals of T. europaeus and T. × cultorum which are curved over the top of the flower, forming a globe. But T. pumilus has flatter flowers, and T. chinensis has open flowers with prominent stamens.[4]

Ecology

All species of Trollius are poisonous to cattle and other livestock when fresh, but their acrid taste means they are usually left uneaten. They are, however, used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including silver-ground carpet.

Cultivation

Some species are popular ornamental flowers in horticulture, with several cultivars selected for large and brightly coloured flowers. The hybrid T. × cultorum[5] in particular is a source of several garden cultivars, including 'Superbus', which has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[6][7]

References
  1. USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Trollius". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  2. Gledhill D. 1985. The Names of Plants. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521366755
  3. "A New Species from South Siberia". Novataxa. Retrieved 11 February 2019.
  4. RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 978-1405332965.
  5. "Missouri Botanical Garden". Retrieved 27 April 2013.
  6. "RHS Plant Selector - Trollius × cultorum 'Superbus'". Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  7. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 103. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
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