| Trollius | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Trollius europaeus | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Subfamily: | Ranunculoideae |
| Tribe: | Adonideae |
| Genus: | Trollius L. |
| Species | |
About 30, including: | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Trollius is agenus of about 30species offlowering plants closely related toRanunculus, in thefamily Ranunculaceae. Thecommon name of some species isglobeflower[1] orglobe 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, species of the genusTrollius usually grow in heavy, wet clay soils.[3]
Species of the genusTrollius are mostlyherbaceous, fibrous rootedperennials with bright yellow, orange or lilac coloured flowers. The name "globe flower" refers to the petals ofT. europaeus andT. ×cultorum which are curved over the top of the flower, forming a globe. ButT. pumilus has flatter flowers, andT. chinensis has open flowers with prominent stamens.[4]
All species of the genusTrollius 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 someLepidoptera species includingsilver-ground carpet.
Research onTrollius europaeus indicates that its closed, globe-shaped flower form may have evolved as a defense mechanism against the over-exploitation by its seed-eating fly pollinators. These seed-eating fly pollinators, coming from the genus Chiastocheta, lay eggs within the flowers where their larve consume some of the developing seeds while adults facilitate pollination. This creates a specialized and stable mutualistic interaction.[5]
Some species of the genusTrollius are popular ornamental flowers inhorticulture, with severalcultivars selected for large and brightly coloured flowers. The hybridT. ×cultorum[6] in particular is a source of several garden cultivars, including 'Superbus', which has gained theRoyal Horticultural Society'sAward of Garden Merit.[7][8]
 | ThisRanunculaceae article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |