Anemone obtusiloba
Family: Ranunculaceae
What it is like
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.
Height (m): 0.3
Where it is found
Moist open slopes, 2000 - 3400 metres in Kashmir.
E. Asia - Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 1
The roots, mixed with milk, are administered internally in the treatment of contusions. They are used externally as a blistering agent. The juice of the root is opthalmic. The seeds taken internally induce vomiting, whilst an oil extracted from them is used in the treatment of rheumatism.
Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.
Emetic: Induces vomiting.
Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.
Rubefacient: A counter-irritant and external stimulant, it produces inflammation and redness of the skin.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil but prefers a rich sandy loam. Requires a well-drained humus-rich soil in full sun. Requires a warm sheltered position. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes. This species is very closely related to A. rupestris.
Propagating it: 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, or in early spring.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
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.