Images: ©Jouko Lehmuskallio
Globeflower
Trollius europaeus
- Written also: Globe Flower
- Family: Buttercup Family – Ranunculaceae
- Growing form: Perennial herb.
- Height: 30–60 cm (12–24 in.)
- Flower: 2–4 cm (1–2 in.), globose. Perianth not differentiated as calyx and corolla. Perianth-segments appr. 10, convex, golden-yellow petal-like tepals. Carpels free, many. Stamens numerous.
- Leaves: Basal leaves long-stalked, blade orbicular in outline, usu. deeply five-divided, divisions further lobed or large-toothed. Stem leaves stalkless or short-stalked, blade smaller, and more slender-lobed.
- Fruit: Receptacle bears several dark brown follicles, each containing several seeds.
- Habitat: Rich broadleaf woods, meadows, eutrophic fens and swamps, springs, periodically flooded waterside thickets, fjeld meadows and snow-bed sites. Also a garden escape.
- Flowering time: May–July.
The genus Trollius is concentrated in the temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere. The globeflower is common and abundant especially in Northern Finland. It thrives in lush habitats. In the richest broadleaf woods it often grows together with the wood crane’s-bill. The globeflower has been favoured by human activities. Man-made meadows represent a new potential habitat for this plant.
In addition to the abundant occurrences up north, the globeflower is locally common in South Häme and South Savo. It is a poisonous plant, and the county flower of Lapland.
