Anemone virginiana
Tall Thimbleweed
a perennial member of the Anemone genus in the family Ranunculaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Genus
- Anemone
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.6 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 records of toxicity have been seen for this species, it belongs to a family where many of the plants are poisonous. Some caution is therefore advised[K].
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 root and seeds are astringent, emetic and expectorant[6]. A decoction of the roots was used in the treatment of TB, whooping cough and diarrhoea[6][9]. The root is pulverised and used as a wet poultice in the treatment of boils[5][6][9].
- Product or use
- Astringent
- Product or use
- Emetic
- Product or use
- Expectorant
- Product or use
- Poultice
Environment
- Range
- Central and Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to South Carolina, Kansas, Alberta and Arkansas.
- Habitat
- Dry open woods[6]. Dry, rocky, open woods, thickets and river banks from sea level to 2000 metres[10].
- Light
- partial sun
- Shade tolerance
- permanent shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 4+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, 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 20°c[2]. 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
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil but prefers a moist well-drained woodland soil[1][4]. Prefers a moist peaty soil in some shade[3]. Tolerates drought during its summer dormancy[4]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[7]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[11].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1. Thompson and Morgan. 1987-00-00
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books 1980-00-00 ISBN 0-449-90589-6
Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5
Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9
Flora of N. America http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/fna/
Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds. Frederick Muller Ltd 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-584-10141-4