Practical
Plants

Anemone nemorosa

Wood Anemone

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

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Anemone
Life cycle
perennial
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
0.15 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.

This species is slightly poisonous, the toxic principle is destroyed by heat or by drying[11][2][6][14].

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 leaves are antirheumatic, rubefacient and tonic[15][6][12]. The plant is sometimes used externally as a counter-irritant in the treatment of rheumatism[15]. The herb is gathered in spring before the plant comes into flower[15]. 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[11]. A homeopathic remedy has been made from the leaves[15].

Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Homeopathy
Product or use
Rubefacient
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
Throughout the northern temperate zone of C. Europe, including Britain, and W. Asia.
Habitat
Woodland and shady hillsides in all but the most base deficient or water-logged soils[15][5][16].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

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[4]. 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.

Prefers a moist soil[1][16][8] but tolerates dry conditions during its summer dormancy[8]. Plants tolerate dry conditions and drought so long as there is plenty of humus in the soil[7]. Prefers a well-drained humus-rich soil[8]. Dislikes very acid soils[3]. Prefers a shady position, growing well on woodland edges[10][16], but plants can also be naturalized in thin turf[8]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[9]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[13]. The plant has a running rootstock and can spread rapidly when well-sited[11]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are several named varieties[7].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

  3. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

    ↩

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

    ↩

  5. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2

  7. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

  10. Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  15. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  16. Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30253-1

    ↩1↩2↩3

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