Anemone obtusiloba

Physical Characteristics

Anemone obtusiloba is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in 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. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Antirheumatic Emetic Ophthalmic Rubefacient The roots, mixed with milk, are administered internally in the treatment of contusions[240]. They are used externally as a blistering agent[240]. The juice of the root is opthalmic[272]. The seeds taken internally induce vomiting[211, 240], whilst an oil extracted from them is used in the treatment of rheumatism[211].

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].