This species grows wild in the corn-fields of Spain, Portugal, and some parts of Germany, and flowers in May and June.
It is distinguished more by its singularity than beauty, the flowers on the summit of the stalk differing widely in colour from the others, and being mostly barren: Parkinson says, "the whole stalke with the flowers upon it, doth somewhat resemble a long Purse tassell, and thereupon divers Gentlewomen have so named it."
It is a hardy bulbous plant, growing readily in most soils and situations, and usually propagated by offsets.
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Adonis Vernalis.
Class and Order.
Polyandria Polygynia.
Generic Character.
Cal. 5-phyllus. Petala quinis plura absque nectario. Sem. nuda.