Pulsatilla hispanica

The leaves of Pulsatilla hispanica are characterized and compared with leaves of Pulsatilla vulgaris, Pulsatilla halleri and the transitional forms between Pulsatilla vulgaris and Pulsatilla grandis.Most of the Pulsatilla hispanica localities could be grouped into “regions” between which a gradient of leaf characteristics has been found. The absolute values for leaf characteristics have proved to be dependent on ecological conditions, whereas the quotient of two of these characteristics seems to be independent of ecological factors. The quotients agree well among leaves of the same region, while there exist greater differences between leaves of different regions. The flower of Pulsatilla hispanica differs from other species of the Vulgares in her dark violet colour and in her distinctly pinnate leaves of the involucrum.