Pulsatilla grandis occupies diverse habitats primarily within central Europe, extending across Great Britain, western France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, and reaching the eastern limit of its range in Ukraine. Within Ukraine, its distribution is largely diffuse, with populations scattered primarily through the regions of
Podilia, the Pre-
Carpathians, occasionally in the Right-Bank Forest-Steppe, and infrequently in the Left-Bank Steppe. In Ukraine,
Pulsatilla grandis predominantly favours habitats within the zone of broadleaved forests, where the highest concentration of locations—48 distinct sites—has been documented. Within these areas, it occupies primarily southern and south-eastern slopes of
steppe-like hillsides. Specific physical-geographical regions include Male Polissya, Roztochia-Opillia hills, West
Podollia Upland, and the
Prut–
Dniester Upland. The species has experienced considerable habitat reduction across these territories, with some historically documented sites now extinct, particularly near larger cities or settlements, likely due to
anthropogenic pressures. In the forest-steppe belt, populations are fragmented, identified across several highland areas such as the North-western and North-eastern Prydniprovia, the
Kyiv highland, and central
Transnistria, with plants typically restricted to rocky, steep, and granite-exposed southern slopes. Many locations recorded historically no longer support existing populations, further underscoring the species' vulnerability. The steppe region harbours fewer localities, where it has historically been found in the
Oril–
Samara and
Pryazovia lowlands. However, current populations here have markedly declined or disappeared altogether due to anthropogenic impact, including
afforestation and land-use changes associated with military training grounds. In the Pre-Carpathians,
Pulsatilla grandis has a pronounced affinity for meadow-steppe slopes and forest clearings. The species was first documented in this area from
herbarium collections made in the 19th century, and though several historic localities have been lost or not recently confirmed, this region continues to support several populations, primarily in the
Bukovinian Pre-Carpathians. Anthropogenic factors such as
grazing, land cultivation, and the collection of flowers have led to observable declines in these areas as well. In
Slovenia,
Pulsatilla grandis (named , the Easter flower) is a rare and protected plant. It has four growing places in the country all of them situated in the
sub-Pannonian phytogeographical area in the northeastern part of Slovenia. The plant is the symbol of the
Boč–Donatus Mountain Landscape Park. On a small rise near the Boč growing place, a stone sculpture of the flower, created by the sculptor Franc Tobias from
Razvanje, has been on display since the 2000s.
Pulsatilla grandis is also depicted in the coat of arms of the
Diocese of Celje. ==References==