The article provides brief information about cardiotonic, sedative, cytostatic, diuretic, and antibacterial effects of biologically active compounds of Adonis L. (Ranunculaceae) species. Chemical studies allowed to identify the cardiac glycosides, or cardenolides: or cardenolides: adontoxin, adonitol, adonitoxigenin, acetyldigitoxin and others. In scientific medicine, it is currently allowed to use Adonis vernalis L. Other types of Adonis have a similar chemical composition and are offered as substitutes for this official species, for example, Adonis apennina L. Many Adonis species have limited natural resources, and in some regions are rare, requiring conservation of their natural populations. The search for alternative sources of medicinal plant raw materials, based on this, is relevant. The experimental part of our research was carried out using the morphological and geographical method with the involvement of information on ecology and phenology. For the first time summarizes the diagnostic features of Adonis flora of Russian flora. Previously unknown structural features (shape and size of anthers) were identified that characterize the subgenera Adonanthe and Adonis. Taxonomic study of the genus Adonis of the Russian flora allowed us to determine its species composition, clarify its systematic affiliation, and nomenclature synonyms. 9 species were identified. Of these, 6 are perennials belonging to the subgenus Adonanthe, section Consiligo, which includes 2 subsections: Amurenses (2 species) and Vernales, which is differentiated into 2 rows: Apenninae (2 species) and Vernales (2 species). Subgenus Adonis is represented by 2 sections: Adonis (1 species) and Lophocarpa with sections Aestivales (1 species) and Dentatae (1 species). For all the considered species and varieties, the main distribution areas are given. A key has been compiled to determine the wild Adonis species distributed in Russia.
