Dog's Mercury 1657053 223340310 2008-07-03T17:25:27Z Jnivekk 7407668 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/69.21.182.221|69.21.182.221]] to last version by Eubot (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) {{Taxobox | name = Dog's Mercury | image = Mercuralis_perennis.jpg | image_width = 250px | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Dicotyledon|Mangnoliopsida]] | ordo = [[Malpighiales]] | familia = [[Euphorbiaceae]] | genus = ''[[Mercury (plant)|Mercurialis]]'' | species = '''''M. perennis''''' | binomial = ''Mercurialis perennis'' | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] }} '''''Mercurialis perennis''''', or '''Dog's Mercury''', is a spring flower found across [[Europe]], but almost absent from [[Ireland]], [[Orkney]] and [[Shetland]]. It is a hairy [[dioecious]] perennial with erect stems bearing simple, serrate leaves. The [[inflorescence]] is green bearing inconspicuous flowers in March and April. It is frequently found covering large areas in dense stands as an [[understory|understorey]] plant in woodlands, especially, but not exclusively, on calcareous soils. Dog's Mercury is a poisonous plant; however, boiling or drying can destroy the toxins. This plant favours alkaline (basic) soils and can be found in abundance in limestone regions particularly in Yorkshire. It also favours deep shade and can survive in semi-shade, however in areas of high light intensity Dog's Mercury will give way to different plants. ==See also== * [[List of early spring flowers]] {{Commons|Mercurialis perennis}} [[Category:Euphorbiaceae]] [[Category:Flowers]] [[Category:Medicinal plants]] {{euphorb-stub}} [[cs:Bažanka vytrvalá]] [[da:Almindelig Bingelurt]] [[de:Wald-Bingelkraut]] [[fr:Mercuriale vivace]] [[lt:Daugiametis laiškenis]] [[nl:Bosbingelkruid]] [[pl:Szczyr trwały]] [[sv:Skogsbingel]]