Practical
Plants

Anemone rivularis

Cao Yu Mei

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Anemone
Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
self fertile
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.

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[11][2][6][13].

Edible uses

Seeds - roasted and pickled[10].

Plant part
Seed

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.

The plant is said to be antiemetic and vermifuge[14]. It is said to warm the stomach and stop vomiting. A paste made from the plant is used in Nepal to treat coughs and fevers[10]. The juice of the leaf, mixed with water, is inhaled through each nostril to treat sinusitis[10]. The seeds are used in Tibetan medicine, they are said to have a bitter and acrid taste with a heating potency[9]. Analgesic and antidote, they are used in the treatment of rotting tissues, snake poisoning and stomach/intestinal pain from worm infestation[9]. A decoction of the root is applied externally to cuts and wounds[10].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Antidote
Product or use
Antiemetic
Product or use
Vermifuge

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Tibet, Himalayas, Sri Lanka.
Habitat
Meadows, forest clearings, bunds between paddy fields, streamsides and hedges[5]. Under alpine brush in the Himalayas, 4000 - 5000 metres[14].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

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, it requires 3 - 5 weeks cold stratification. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 6 months at 20°c[4]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least their first year in a lightly shaded place in a greenhouse. When large enough, plant them out into their permanent positions in the spring. Division in late summer after the plant dies down.

Cultivation

Easily grown in a moist well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[5]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil but prefers a rich sandy loam[1]. Requires a damp soil, doing well by water[1][3]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is hardy to about -20°c[5]. This species is closely related to A. narcissiflora[8]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[8]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[12].

References

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

  3. Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge 1926-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩

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

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

    ↩1↩2

  9. Tsarong. Tsewang. J. Tibetan Medicinal Plants Tibetan Medical Publications, India 1994-00-00 ISBN 81-900489-0-2

    ↩1↩2

  10. Manandhar. N. P. Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-527-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩

  14. Zhang Jingwei. Alpine Plants of China. Gordon & Breach. New York. 1982-00-00 ISBN 0-677-60190-5

    ↩1↩2

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