Practical
Plants

Anemone canadensis

Canadian Anemone

a perennial member of the Anemone genus in the family Ranunculaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Anemone
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Self

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, a number of members of this genus are slightly poisonous, the toxic principle is destroyed by heat or by drying[13][2][5][15].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The roots and leaves are astringent and styptic[9]. The root and leaves of this plant was one of the most highly esteemed medicines of the Omaha and Ponca Indians[7]. A decoction of the root was used as an anthelmintic and to treat pain in the lumbar region[11]. An infusion of the root was used as an eye wash to treat crossed eyes, twitches and eye poisoning[11]. A wash of the pounded boiled root or of the leaves was applied externally to wounds, nosebleeds, sores etc[8][9][11]. The root contains anemonin, which is said to be a potent antiseptic[8]. A tea of the roots was used in the treatment of headaches and dizziness[8]. The root was eaten to clear the throat so that a person could sing well[11].

Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antiaphonic
Product or use
Antiseptic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Styptic

Environment

Range
Eastern and Central N. America from Labrador to Massachusetts, Illinois and Colorado.
Habitat
Damp thickets, meadows, wet prairies, lake shores, streamsides, clearings and occasionally swampy areas at elevations from 200 - 2800 metres[12].
Shade tolerance
partial shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[3]. 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.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Succeeds in ordinary garden soil but prefers a well-drained woodland soil and some shade[6]. An easily grown plant, preferring a sunny position[10]. Plants succeed in maritime gardens[10]. Hardy to at least -20°c[4]. This species is closely related to A. virginiana[6]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[10]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[14]. A good woodland plant[1][4].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-7011-2526-8

    ↩

  3. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00

    ↩

  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2

  5. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  7. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩

  8. Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6

    ↩1↩2↩3

  9. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩1↩2

  10. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  11. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  12. Flora of N. America http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/

    ↩

  13. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩

  14. Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4

    ↩

  15. Frohne. D. and Pf�nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe 1984-00-00 ISBN 0723408394

    ↩

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