This species is closely related to Anemone narcissiflora[].

Common Name: Cao Yu Mei

General Information

Anemone rivularis is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing a clump of 3 - 5 leaves 10 - 25cm tall and 1 - 3 flowering stems 20 - 60cm tall, exceptionally to 120cm. The plant spreads at the roots and can form quite large colonies[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use and possibly also as a food. Very ornamental, it is often grown in gardens.

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

Range

E. Asia - central China, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Indonesia (Sumatra)

Habitat

Meadows, forest clearings, bunds between paddy fields, streamsides and hedges[]. Under alpine brush in the Himalayas, at elevations from 4,000 - 5,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Bees, Flies, Self
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Anemone rivularis has a very wide range from northern China, where it experiences very cold winters, to the tropical regions of Sri Lanka and Indonesia. When doemant it can tolerate temperatures down to at least -20°c[].
Easily grown in a moist well-drained soil in sun or semi-shade[]. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil but prefers a rich sandy loam[]. Requires a damp soil, doing well by water[, ].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[].
A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes[].

Edible Uses

Seeds - roasted and pickled[].

Medicinal

The plant is said to be antiemetic and vermifuge[]. It is said to warm the stomach and stop vomiting. A paste made from the plant is used in Nepal to treat coughs and fevers[].

The juice of the leaf, mixed with water, is inhaled through each nostril to treat sinusitis[].

The seeds are used in Tibetan medicine, they are said to have a bitter and acrid taste with a heating potency[]. Analgesic and antidote, they are used in the treatment of rotting tissues, snake poisoning and stomach/intestinal pain from worm infestation[].

A decoction of the root is applied externally to cuts and wounds[].

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, it requires 3 - 5 weeks cold stratification. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 6 months at 20°c[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least their first year in a lightly shaded place in a greenhouse. When large enough, plant them out into their permanent positions in the spring.
Division in late summer after the plant dies down.