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.

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

Doronicum orientale is a hardy (to zone 3) perennial, blooming in early spring. It 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. Likes both shade and sun. All parts of this plant are poisonous to humans.[8]

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

References

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