Leopard's bane
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Doronicum
Species:
D. orientale
Binomial name
Doronicum orientale
Synonyms[1]
  • Arnica cordata Wulfen
  • Doronicum caucasicum M.Bieb.
Emerging flower buds

Doronicum orientale, the leopard's bane, is a European plant species in the family Asteraceae.

Description

Doronicum orientale is a perennial herb that has daisy-like yellow flower heads on long, straight stems, which attract nectar-eating insects. The plants grow to approximately 2 feet (60 cm) tall. The basal foliage is bright green with cordate leaves that have scalloped margins. Its native habitats include moist, rocky outcrops and woodland areas.[2]

Etymology

The specific epithet "orientale," means "eastern" and is in reference to its native range of eastern Europe,[2] not eastern Asia.

Distribution

It is native to southeastern Europe (Italy, Greece, the Balkans, Hungary, Moldova, Ukraine, southern European Russia)[3][4] and parts of southwest Asia (Turkey, South Caucasus).[5][6]

Cultivation

Doronicum orientale is widely cultivated as an ornamental.[7] There are a few reports of the species having escaped cultivation and been found growing wild in parts of Canada, but the plant apparently failed to become established there.[8] D. orientale is a hardy (to zone 3) perennial, blooming in early spring. It likes both shade and sun and is easily grown in moist, fertile soil. The plant attracts butterflies.[2] Cultivars include 'Little Leo', which is semi-double.

Toxicity

All parts of this plant are poisonous to humans.[9]

References

  1. The Plant List, Doronicum orientale Hoffm.
  2. 1 2 3 "Doronicum orientale 'Leonardo Compact' - Plant Finder". www.missouribotanicalgarden.org. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
  3. Altervista Flora Italiana, Doronico orientale, Kaukasus-Gämswurz, gemsrot, Doronicum orientale Hoffm. includes photos and European distribution map
  4. Plantarium, Doronicum orientale Hoffm. Описание таксона, Русскоязычные названия, Дороникум восточный Archived 2015-07-18 at the Wayback Machine in Russian with photos and partial distribution map
  5. Royal Horticultural Society, Doronicum orientale, Caucasian leopard's bane
  6. Karadeniz A, Çinbilgel I, Gün SŞ, Çetin A (2015). "Antioxidant activity of some Turkish medicinal plants". Nat Prod Res. 29 (24): 2308–12. doi:10.1080/14786419.2015.1005618. PMID 25649168. S2CID 42327987.
  7. Naturegate, Leopard's Bane, Doronicum orientale
  8. Flora of North America, Oriental leopard’s-bane, Doronicum orientale Hoffmann, Commentat. Soc. Phys.-Med. Univ. Lit. Caes. Mosq. 1: 8. 1808.
  9. Pink, A. (2004). Gardening for the Million. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.


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