Canadian Anemone
Anemone canadensis
Family: Ranunculaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Irregular or sprawling.
Anemone canadensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from May to July. 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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Damp thickets, meadows, wet prairies, lake shores, streamsides, clearings and occasionally swampy areas at elevations from 200 - 2800 metres.
Eastern and Central N. America from Labrador to Massachusetts, Illinois and Colorado.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 2
The roots and leaves are astringent and styptic. The root and leaves of this plant was one of the most highly esteemed medicines of the Omaha and Ponca Indians. A decoction of the root was used as an anthelmintic and to treat pain in the lumbar region. An infusion of the root was used as an eye wash to treat crossed eyes, twitches and eye poisoning. A wash of the pounded boiled root or of the leaves was applied externally to wounds, nosebleeds, sores etc. The root contains anemonin, which is said to be a potent antiseptic. A tea of the roots was used in the treatment of headaches and dizziness. The root was eaten to clear the throat so that a person could sing well.
Anthelmintic: Expels parasites from the gut.
Antiaphonic: Restores the voice.
Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.
Styptic: An astringent that stops bleeding by contracting the blood vessels.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Woodland garden. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil but prefers a well-drained woodland soil and some shade. An easily grown plant, preferring a sunny position. Plants succeed in maritime gardens. Hardy to at least -20°c. This species is closely related to A. virginiana. 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. Special Features:North American native, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers.
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.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Meadow;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 3-7
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
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.