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Anemone nemorosa - L.

Common Name

Wood Anemone

Family

Ranunculaceae

Synonyms

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].

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

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Mar to May, and the seeds ripen from May to June. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, flies, self.The plant is self-fertile.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (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 requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cleaned-Illustration_Anemone_nemorosa.jpg

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Fabelfroh

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

Edible Uses
None known

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].

Other Uses
None known

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].

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.

Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
17200

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[4]Grieve. A Modern Herbal.

Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[7]Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.

Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[13]Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants.

Very interesting reading, giving some details of plant uses and quite a lot of folk-lore.

[17]Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles.

A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[19]Stary. F. Poisonous Plants.

Not very comprehensive, but easy reading.

[24]Baines. C. Making a Wildlife Garden.

Fairly good with lots of ideas about creating wildlife areas in the garden.

[46]Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants.

An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[54]Hatfield. A. W. How to Enjoy your Weeds.

Interesting reading.

[90]Phillips. R. and Rix. M. Bulbs

Superbly illustrated, it gives brief details on cultivation and native habitat.

[133]Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 1.

Very readable magazine with lots of information on propagation.

[190]Chatto. B. The Dry Garden.

A good list of drought resistant plants with details on how to grow them.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[233]Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants

A concise guide to a wide range of perennials. Lots of cultivation guides, very little on plant uses.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
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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