Rue-Anemone
Anemonella thalictroides

Family: Ranunculaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Pink. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Upright or erect.

Anemonella thalictroides is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in flower in April. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.1

Where it is found

Damp deciduous and mixed open woods.

Eastern N. America - New Hampshire to Massachusetts, south to Florida and west to Kansas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Root - cooked. Starchy. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 1

A tea made from the roots is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and vomiting. A preparation of the root has historically been used in the treatment of piles.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Massing, Rock garden, Woodland garden. Requires a moist shady light soil, it strongly resents any wetness at the roots. A delicate plant for a loose leafy soil in sun or part shade. Plants dislike any root disturbance, they should be planted in their final positions whilst still young. A greedy plant inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes. Plants are slow to establish, often falling victim to slug predations. Special Features:Attractive foliage, North American native.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in the summer. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in the spring. Division - this is best done in the autumn by carefully removing pieces from the outside of the clump and growing them on in pots until they are established. Be careful to disturb the main clump as little as possible.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 4-7

Growth: Slow

Soil: Light (sandy)

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, it belongs to a family that contains many toxic species. The toxins are not normally fairly mild in effect and they are usually destroyed by thoroughly heating or drying the plant.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Anemone thalictroides. Syndesmon thalictroides. Thalictrum anemonoides.