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Anemone pulsatilla - Mill.

Common Name Pasque Flower, European pasqueflower
Family Ranunculaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards The plant is slightly toxic, the toxins are dissipated by heat or by drying the plant[65]. Repeated handling of the plant can cause skin irritation in some people[238].
Habitats Dry, sunny grassy calcareous slopes[17, 244, 268].
Range Northern and central Europe, including Britain, to W. Asia.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (3 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Anemone pulsatilla Pasque Flower, European pasqueflower


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Anemone pulsatilla Pasque Flower, European pasqueflower
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Orchi

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Anemone pulsatilla is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Anemone pulsatilla

Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

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.


Pasque flower is considered by herbalists to be of highly valuable modern curative use as a herbal simple[4]. The plant contains the glycoside ranunculin, this is converted to anemonine when the plant is dried and is the medicinally active principle in the plant[268]. The whole plant is alterative, antispasmodic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, nervine and sedative[4, 46, 165]. It is taken internally in the treatment of pre-menstrual syndrome, inflammations of the reproductive organs, tension headaches, neuralgia, insomnia, hyperactivity, bacterial skin infections, septicaemia, spasmodic coughs in asthma, whooping cough and bronchitis[238]. Externally, it is used to treat eye conditions such as diseases of the retina, senile cataract and glaucoma[244]. This remedy should be used with caution[165], excessive doses cause diarrhoea and vomiting[238]. It should not be prescribed to patients with colds[238]. See also the notes above on toxicity[165]. The plant is harvested soon after flowering, it is more poisonous when fresh and so should be carefully preserved by drying[4, 268]. It should not be stored for longer than 12 months before being used[4]. In homeopathy, the plant is considered to be specific in the treatment of measles[244]. It is also used for treating nettle rash, toothache, earache and bilious indigestion[244].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A green dye is obtained from the flowers[238]. Plants can be grown to form a ground cover, they are best spaced about 30cm apart each way[208].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a well-drained humus rich gritty soil in a sunny position[200]. Lime tolerant[1]. Prefers lime[187]. Grows best in a well-drained chalky soil in a dry warm situation[268]. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant[190]. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -20°c[187]. A very ornamental plant[1], there are many named varieties[187]. The plant has become rare in its natural environment, due partly to over-collecting and partly to habitat loss[238]. Large plants transplant badly[200]. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[54].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in early summer in a cold frame. The seed usually germinates in about 2 - 3 weeks. Sow stored seed in late winter in a cold frame. Germination takes about 1 - 6 months at 15°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in the spring. Root cuttings, 4cm long taken in early winter, potted up in a mixture of peat and sand[175]. They can also be taken in July/August, planted vertically in pots in a greenhouse or frame. Some care is needed since the plant resents root disturbance[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Anemone altaica Perennial0.2 -  LMHSM01 
Anemone canadensisCanadian AnemonePerennial0.6 3-7 MLMHSM02 
Anemone cylindricaCandle AnemonePerennial0.5 4-8  LMHSM02 
Anemone flaccida Perennial0.1 5-9  LMHFSM10 
Anemone narcissifloraNarcissus-Flowered Anemone, Narcissus anemonePerennial0.6 3-7  LMHSNM10 
Anemone nemorosaWood Anemone, European thimbleweedPerennial0.2 4-8 FLMHFSNDM01 
Anemone nikoensis Perennial0.3 5-9  LMHFSNDM10 
Anemone obtusiloba Perennial0.3 4-8  LMHNM01 
Anemone quinquefoliaWind Flower, Wood anemone, Twoleaf anemone, NightcapsPerennial0.3 6-9  LMHFSM01 
Anemone rivularisCao Yu MeiPerennial0.6 6-9  LMFSNM12 
Anemone stolonifera Perennial0.2 -  LMHSNM10 
Anemone virginianaTall ThimbleweedPerennial0.6 4-8  LMHFSM01 
Anemone vitifolia Perennial1.0 4-8  LMSM021
Anemonella thalictroidesRue-AnemonePerennial0.1 4-7 SLFSM21 
Pulsatilla patensPasque Flower, Eastern pasqueflower, Cutleaf anemonePerennial0.5 4-8  LMNM02 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

Mill.

Botanical References

17200

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