Wood Anemone, European thimbleweed

Anemone nemorosa

Physical Characteristics

Anemone nemorosa is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from March to May, and the seeds ripen from May to June. 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. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly 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 prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

Throughout the northern temperate zone of C. Europe, including Britain, and W. Asia.

Habitats

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

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

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].

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]. Can be a dangerous and powerful depressant of the central nervous system and heart [301]. Avoid during pregnancy.