Narcissus-Flowered Anemone, Narcissus anemone

Anemone narcissiflora

Physical Characteristics

Anemone narcissiflora is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees, flies. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

Northern Europe to northern Asia. And northwestern N. America.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Edible Uses: Leaves - raw or cooked[46, 61, 177]. The leaves , together with other salad greens and oil, were beaten to a creamy consistency and frozen into an 'ice cream'[257].Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Root - raw[177]. The upper root ends have been used for food[257]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

Haemostatic The plant has been used as an antihaemorrhagic[270].

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, many members of this genus 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].