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Anemone nemorosa - L.

Common Name Wood Anemone, European thimbleweed
Family Ranunculaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards All parts of this plant contain protoanemonin, an irritating acrid oil that is an enzymatic breakdown product of the glycoside ranunculin. While protoanemonin can cause severe topical and gastrointestinal irritation, it is unstable and changes into harmless anemonin when plants are dried or heated[4, 10, 19, 65, 270]. Can be a dangerous and powerful depressant of the central nervous system and heart [301]. Avoid during pregnancy.
Habitats Woodland and shady hillsides in all but the most base deficient or water-logged soils[7, 17, 90].
Range Throughout the northern temperate zone of C. Europe, including Britain, and W. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full shade Semi-shade Full sun
Anemone nemorosa Wood Anemone, European thimbleweed


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cleaned-Illustration_Anemone_nemorosa.jpg
Anemone nemorosa Wood Anemone, European thimbleweed
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fabelfroh

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Anemone nemorosa is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from March to May, and the seeds ripen from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Anemanthus nemorosus Fourr. Pulsatilla nemorosa Schrank. Ranunculus nemorosus Garsault [Invalid].

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade; Meadow;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antirheumatic  Homeopathy  Rubefacient  Tonic

The leaves are antirheumatic, rubefacient and tonic[7, 19, 46]. The plant is sometimes used externally as a counter-irritant in the treatment of rheumatism[7]. The herb is gathered in spring before the plant comes into flower[7]. Various parts of this herb used to be recommended for a variety of complaints such as headaches and gout, though the plant is virtually not used nowadays[4]. A homeopathic remedy has been made from the leaves[7].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a moist soil[1, 90, 200] but tolerates dry conditions during its summer dormancy[200]. Plants tolerate dry conditions and drought so long as there is plenty of humus in the soil[190]. Prefers a well-drained humus-rich soil[200]. Dislikes very acid soils[13]. Prefers a shady position, growing well on woodland edges[24, 90], but plants can also be naturalized in thin turf[200]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54]. The plant has a running rootstock and can spread rapidly when well-sited[4]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are several named varieties[190].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the summer[1]. Surface sow or only just cover the seed and keep the soil moist. Sow stored seed as soon as possible in late winter or early spring. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 6 months at 15°c[133]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first year. When the plants are large enough, plant them out in the spring. Division in late summer after the plant dies down.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Anemone altaica Perennial0.2 -  LMHSM01 
Anemone canadensisCanadian AnemonePerennial0.6 3-7 MLMHSM02 
Anemone cylindricaCandle AnemonePerennial0.5 4-8  LMHSM02 
Anemone flaccida Perennial0.1 5-9  LMHFSM10 
Anemone narcissifloraNarcissus-Flowered Anemone, Narcissus anemonePerennial0.6 3-7  LMHSNM10 
Anemone nikoensis Perennial0.3 5-9  LMHFSNDM10 
Anemone obtusiloba Perennial0.3 4-8  LMHNM01 
Anemone quinquefoliaWind Flower, Wood anemone, Twoleaf anemone, NightcapsPerennial0.3 6-9  LMHFSM01 
Anemone rivularisCao Yu MeiPerennial0.6 6-9  LMFSNM12 
Anemone stolonifera Perennial0.2 -  LMHSNM10 
Anemone virginianaTall ThimbleweedPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHFSM01 
Anemone vitifolia Perennial1.0 4-8  LMSM021
Anemonella thalictroidesRue-AnemonePerennial0.1 4-7 SLFSM21 
Pulsatilla patensPasque Flower, Eastern pasqueflower, Cutleaf anemonePerennial0.5 4-8  LMNM02 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Botanical References

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Readers comment

Stephen Phillips   Wed Apr 25 2007

Despite the claim in ref.4 (Grieve 1930s/reprinted 1984) wood anemone does not spread rapidly even when ideally sited. In many areas of Britains it is considered an Ancient Woodland Indicator species- characteristic of which is its low rate of dispersal and spped of spread. Spread being typically quoted at 6 feet per century (Flora Britanica 0amongst many others).

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Subject : Anemone nemorosa  
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