Pheasant's Eye is an annual which originated in the Mediterranean Basin and western Asia. In some locations, it grows as a herbaceous perennial. The name Pheasant's Eye refers to the likeness between the colors of its flowers to the red eye of a pheasant. The genus Adonis is a member of the Ranunculaceae or buttercup family. According to Greek mythology, Adonis was a handsome young man who was loved by Aphrodite. He was killed by a wild boar. His blood is said to produce the red flowers of this species. Aestivalis is Latin and translated means "of the summer." Pheasant's Eye was brought to the US as a horticultural plant but escaped cultivation. It has become invasive in the western US and has become a weed of pastures and roadsides. The plant is tap rooted with erect, columnar, branched, and leafy stems averaging 8-24 inches tall. The typical plant width is 6 to 12 inches. The flowers are small and buttercup-like ranging in color from red purple, scarlet red, orange, or yellow. The flower has a dark purple blotch in the center of most species as well as dark purple anthers and stamens. The leaves are soft green, feathery, and fern-like. Pheasant's Eye blooms from May to July. Seeds may germinate immediately after shedding or wait until the following spring. If seeds are sown, they should be planted a depth of 1/16 inch or surface sow and spaced 8 to 12 inches apart. The species has both male and female organs. It can be pollinated by bees, flies, and beetles. Please choose a native wildflower. See a few options to the left. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Aphids may attack flowers. The plant is poisonous to humans, horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs if ingested. Plant may be damaged by slugs. Small plants may need support in windy areas.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
The feathery-like simple leaves are alternate and divided pinnately 2-3 times which dissect into linear segments giving a feathery-like appearance. They resemble fern or fennel leaves.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The small solitary flower emerges on the stem with buttercup-like waxy petals in colors of bright red-purple, scarlet, orange or yellow. Some species have a dark purple basal blotch in the center. The flower has purple-black colored anthers.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Green
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit value
Good Cut
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
After the flower fades in the summer, an erect, elongated cluster of green cone shaped seed pods are produced. The oblong spike has about 10-15 achenes. One plant can produce 114 seeds.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
The sparsely branched stem is light green, erect and grooved. It is 8 to 24" tall.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Mediterranean Basin and western Asia
Distribution
CA, CO, ID, MO, OR, UT, WA
Wildlife value
The flowers are pollinated by bees, flies and beetles.