Anemone vitifolia
Family: Ranunculaceae
What it is like
Anemone vitifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in July, and the seeds ripen in September. 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) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Damp open woodland and amongst shrubs up to 3000 metres.
E. Asia - Himalayas in Nepal.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 2
The fresh root is antirheumatic and vermifuge. The juice from the roots is taken internally in the treatment of dysentery. It is also applied to aching teeth to relieve the pain and to the forehead to relieve headaches. A paste made from the roots is used externally to treat scabies. The leaves are powdered and rubbed into the scalp to treat head lice.
Anodyne: Relieves pain, it is milder than an analgesic.
Antirheumatic: Treats rheumatism.
Dysentery: Used in treating dysentery - an infection of the intestines that causes diarrhoea containing blood or mucus.
Odontalgic: Treats toothache (temporary measure only) and other problems of the teeth and gums.
Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.
Other
Rating:
Woolly hairs from the achenes are used as a tinder. The root has insecticidal properties.
Insecticide: Kills insects.
Tinder: Used for starting fires. See also Kindling.
How it is grown
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil but prefers a rich sandy loam. Requires a moist fertile soil in dappled shade. Hardy to at least -20°c. A very ornamental plant, it grows well in a woodland garden. Plants can be far spreading by means of underground stolons. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes.
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 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 March just before active growth commences. Root cuttings.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-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. The plant is toxic to maggots.