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The genus ''Pulsatilla'' contains about 33 species of herbaceous perennials native to meadows and prairies of North America, Europe, and Asia. Common names include pasque flower (or pasqueflower), wind flower, prairie crocus, Easter Flower, and meadow anemone. Several species are valued ornamentals because of their finely-dissected leaves, solitary bell-shaped flowers, and plumed seed heads. The showy part of the flower consists of sepals, not petals. The genus ''Pulsatilla'' is sometimes considered a subgenus under the genus ''Anemone'' or as an informally named "group" within Anemone subgenus Anemone section Pulsatilloides.〔Hoot, S. B., J. D. Palmer, and A. A. Reznicek. 1994. Phylogenetic relationships in Anemone based on morphology and chloroplast DNA variation. Systematic Botany 19: 169-200.〕 The flower blooms early in spring, which leads to the common name Pasque flower, since Pasque refers to Easter (Passover). ''Pulsatilla patens'' is the provincial flower of Manitoba, Canada and (as ''P. hirsutissima'') is the state flower of South Dakota, United States.〔(Chapter 1 2005 South Dakota Legislative Manual The Mount Rushmore State )〕 ''Pulsatilla vulgaris'' is the County flower for both Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire in England.〔Plantlife website (''County Flowers page'' )〕 ''Pulsatilla vernalis'' is the county flower of Oppland, Norway. == Use and toxicity == ''Pulsatilla'' is highly toxic, and produces cardiogenic toxins and oxytoxins which slow the heart in humans. Excess use can lead to diarrhea, vomiting and convulsions,〔 hypotension and coma.〔Yarnell, E. and Abascal, K. (2001) Botanical Treatments for Depression: Part 2 - Herbal Corrections for Mood Imbalances〕 It has been used as a medicine by Native Americans for centuries. Blackfoot Indians used it to induce abortions and childbirth.〔Edible and Medicinal plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1〕 ''Pulsatilla'' should not be taken during pregnancy nor during lactation.〔 Extracts of ''Pulsatilla'' have been used to treat reproductive problems such as premenstrual syndrome and epididymitis.〔 Additional applications of plant extracts include uses as a sedative and for treating coughs. It is also used as an initial ingredient in homeopathic remedies.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Pulsatilla」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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