Common Name: Candle Anemone

General Information

Anemone cylindrica is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing aerial shoots usually 30 - 70cm tall from underground caudices that occasionally have short, ascending rhizomes[].
The plant was often harvested from the wild for medicinal use by Native American tribes.

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[, , , , ].

Botanical References

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Range

N. America - British Columbia to Nova Scotia, south to Arizona, New Mexico, Missouri and New Jersey

Habitat

Prairies, dry, open woods, pastures and roadsides at elevations from 300 - 3,000 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Anemone cylindrica has a wide native range from southern and central Canada as far south as New Mexico. It is said to be hardy to at least -20°c[].
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil but prefers a well-drained woodland soil and some shade[]. Plants succeed in maritime gardens[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[].
A good woodland plant[, ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The root of this plant was one of the most highly esteemed medicines of the Omaha and Ponca Indians[]. A wash of the pounded boiled root was applied externally to wounds[]. The root contains anemonin, which is said to be a potent antiseptic[].
A poultice made from the leaves is used to treat burns[, ].
A tea of the roots was used in the treatment of headaches and dizziness[, ].
A decoction of the stem and fruit is used as a wash for sore eyes[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the summer[]. Surface sow or only just cover the seed and keep the soil moist. Sow stored seed as soon as possible in late winter or early spring. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 6 months at 15°c[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first year. When the plants are large enough, plant them out in the spring.
Division in late summer after the plant dies down.