Narcissus-Flowered Anemone, Narcissus anemone
Anemone narcissiflora
Family: Ranunculaceae
What it is like
Anemone narcissiflora is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower in May, and the seeds ripen from June 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 and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.6
Where it is found
Grassy, peaty but well-drained alpine meadows, occasionally in partial shade.
Northern Europe to northern Asia. And northwestern N. America.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Leaves - raw or cooked. The leaves, together with other salad greens and oil, were beaten to a creamy consistency and frozen into an 'ice cream'.Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Root - raw. The upper root ends have been used for food. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Medicine
Rating: 0
The plant has been used as an antihaemorrhagic.
Haemostatic: Controls internal bleeding.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil but prefers a rich sandy loam and full sun. Succeeds in full sun or part shade. Plants succeed in maritime gardens. Hardy to about -20°c. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes. A very ornamental and highly polymorphic plant. There are a large number of sub-species.
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. This plant is very slow to increase.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 3-7
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no 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.