Doronicum orientale

Leopard's Bane
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Doronicum
Species: D. orientale
Binomial name
Doronicum orientale
Hoffm.
Synonyms[1]
  • Arnica cordata Wulfen
  • Doronicum caucasicum M.Bieb.
Emerging flower buds

Doronicum orientale (Leopard's Bane) is a European plant species in the sunflower family (Asteraceae).

Description

D. orientale 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.

Etymology

The specific epithet "orientale," meaning "eastern" is in reference to eastern Europe, not eastern Asia.

Distribution

It is native to southeastern Europe (Italy, Greece, the Balkans, Hungary, Moldova, Ukraine, southern European Russia)[2][3] and parts of southwest Asia (Turkey, South Caucasus).[4][5]

Cultivation

D. orientale is widely cultivated as an ornamental.[6] 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.[7] D. orientale is a hardy (to zone 3) perennial, blooming in early spring. Likes both shade and sun. Cultivars include 'Little Leo', which is semi-double.

Toxicity

All parts of this plant are poisonous to humans.[8]

References

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