Tall Thimbleweed

Anemone virginiana

Physical Characteristics

Anemone virginiana is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower in 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. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

Central and Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to South Carolina, Kansas, Alberta and Arkansas.

Habitats

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

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Astringent Emetic Expectorant Poultice The root and seeds are astringent, emetic and expectorant[222]. A decoction of the roots was used in the treatment of TB, whooping cough and diarrhoea[222, 257]. The root is pulverised and used as a wet poultice in the treatment of boils[213, 222, 257].

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].