Candle Anemone
Anemone cylindrica
Family: Ranunculaceae
What it is like
Anemone cylindrica is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to August. 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.
Height (m): 0.5
Where it is found
Prairies, dry, open woods, pastures and roadsides at elevations from 300 - 3000 metres.
Western N. America - British Columbia to New Mexico, east to South Dakota and New Jersey..
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 2
The root of this plant was one of the most highly esteemed medicines of the Omaha and Ponca Indians. A wash of the pounded boiled root was applied externally to wounds. The root contains anemonin, which is said to be a potent antiseptic. A poultice made from the leaves is used to treat burns. A tea of the roots was used in the treatment of headaches and dizziness. A decoction of the stem and fruit is used as a wash for sore eyes.
Antiseptic: Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.
Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.
Ophthalmic: Treats eye complaints.
Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
Other
Rating:
Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.
How it is grown
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil but prefers a well-drained woodland soil and some shade. Plants succeed in maritime gardens. Hardy to at least -20°c. 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.
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 Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth:
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.