Common Name: Wood Anemone

General Information

Anemone nemorosa is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing erect, unbranched stems 6 - 30cm tall from a slender rhizome. The plant spreads by means of the rhizome and is capable of forming large clumps of growth[].
The plant was at one time often used medicinally, though it has fallen into virtual disuse in modern herbalism. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens.

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[, , , , ].

Botanical References

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Range

Europe - Norway to Spain and east to Ukraine and Greece

Habitat

Woodland and shady hillsides in all but the most base deficient or water-logged soils[, , ].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.15 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a moist soil[, , ] but tolerates dry conditions during its summer dormancy[]. Plants tolerate dry conditions and drought so long as there is plenty of humus in the soil[]. Prefers a well-drained humus-rich soil[]. Dislikes very acid soils[]. Prefers a shady position, growing well on woodland edges[, ], but plants can also be naturalized in thin turf[].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[]. The plant has a running rootstock and can spread rapidly when well-sited[].
A very ornamental plant[], there are several named varieties[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves are antirheumatic, rubefacient and tonic[, , ]. The plant is sometimes used externally as a counter-irritant in the treatment of rheumatism[].
The herb is gathered in spring before the plant comes into flower[].

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[].

A homeopathic remedy has been made from the leaves[].

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.