Adonis amurensis aka Amur Adonis

Adonis amurensis, or Amur adonis, is in the buttercup family. The family's name is Ranunculaceae. This small plant lives for more than one year. It comes from parts of eastern Asia with a temperate climate. Its range spans the Russian Far East and northeastern China. It also grows in northern Japan. Plants For A Future also lists South Korea. It grows in mountain woods and on grassy slopes. In gardens, it forms an upright, open clump. Full-grown plants reach about 1 foot [0.3 metres] tall and wide.

The yellow flowers bloom before the leaves fully unfold. Each bloom spans 1–2 inches and has thick, waxy petals. Bright green leaves then form a loose ring around each flower. Fine splits in the leaves give them a feather-like look. Bloom time may range from January through April. The time depends on the growing conditions. Plants For A Future gives February to March for bloom time. Cold or cloudy weather makes the flowers close. They open again when warmth and sun return. Soon after bloom ends, the plant dies back underground.

Each flower has both male and female parts. Bees, flies, and beetles bring pollen to the blooms. Plants can also set seed with their own pollen. Seeds ripen from April to May. Chicago Botanic Garden lists it as a plant that draws butterflies. Its early flowers suit rock gardens, borders, and woodland beds. It can also serve as a small specimen or groundcover. Chicago lists it as resistant to deer.

Grow Amur adonis in sun or light shade. It likes moist soil with humus that drains well. It can also grow in ordinary garden soil. It suits sand, loam, and clay soils. The soil can be slightly acid, neutral, or slightly alkaline. Chicago's plant record lists USDA zones 4–7. Its linked account gives a wider range of zones 3–7. Plants For A Future warns it may hold back nearby plants. This warning applies most of all to legumes. That source does not list it as weedy.

Plants grown from seed take about four years to flower. Sow fresh seed in a cold frame for best results. Stored seed may take longer to sprout. You can also split plants in spring or autumn. These parts may struggle to take root and grow. They need a sheltered growing space first. No source here records edible uses. Plants For A Future reports uses in medicine for the roots. It reports such uses for the whole plant, too. Its warning of toxic effects draws on related plants. It does not rest on proof for this species. The safety of this species thus remains unclear.