Pulsatilla vulgaris
In the UK, Common Pasque Flower grows on close-cropped chalk and limestone grasslands and occurs at only 18 sites in the whole country, all of them in England. Many of the known sites are in a sub-optimal condition for the growth requirements of Pasqueflower and as a result over 90% of the entire population occurs at the remaining 5 sites. They are an early flowering species and are at their peak in early May.
Extracts from the plants have been used in traditional medicines over the centuries, due to the plants containing oxygenic and cardiogenic toxins that cause slowing of the heart. Excess use can lead to convulsions, hypotension and, in extreme cases, induce coma.
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