ADONIS, Birds-eye, or Pheasants-eye: a genus of the polyandria order, belonging to the polygynia class of plants. It is associated with the Multiflora, or 26th Nat. Order.—The characters are: The calyx is a perianthium, consisting of five obtuse concave leaves, somewhat coloured, and deciduous. The corolla
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has from five to fifteen oblong petals obtuse and glossy. The stamina consist of very numerous, short, subulated filaments; the antheræ are oblong and inflected. The pistillum has numerous germina collected in a head; no style; the stigmata acute and reflexed. There is no pericarpium; the receptacle is oblong and spiked. The seeds are numerous, irregular, angular, gibbous at the base, reflexed at the top, somewhat prominent, and awnless.
Species. The most remarkable species are the following: 1. The annua, or common adonis, is a native of Kent, where it is found in great plenty in the fields sown with wheat. Its flowers are of a beautiful scarlet colour, and appear in the beginning of June; the seeds ripening in August and September. Great quantities of these flowers are sold in London, under the name of Red Morocco. 2. The astivialis, or annual adonis, with yellow flowers, grows much taller than the first, has its leaves thinner set, and of a lighter colour. 3. The vernalis, or perennial adonis, grows naturally on the mountains of Bohemia, Prussia, and other parts of Germany. It flowers the latter end of March, or beginning of April; the stalks rise about a foot and a half high; and when the roots are large, and have stood unremoved for some years, they will put out a great number of stalks from each root; on the top of each of these grows one large yellow flower. 4. The appennina, is a native of Siberia and the Appenines.
Culture. The first two species, being annual, must be propagated from seeds, which ought to be sown in autumn, soon after they are ripe, or they will be in danger of not growing up that year. They thrive best in a light soil. The third and fourth species are likewise to be propagated from seeds, which must be sown in autumn, or they seldom succeed. When the plants come up, they must be carefully kept clear from weeds; and in very dry weather their growth will be promoted by being now and then watered. They should remain in the place where they are sown till the second year; and be transplanted thence in autumn, to the place where they are to remain.