Thimbleweed Anemone virginiana
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Anemone hirsuta
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-NEM-oh-nee vir-jin-ee-AN-uh
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Tall anemone is a herbaceous perennial in the buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family that is native to Canada and central to eastern USA including NC. It can be found in woodlands, forest edges, prairies, meadows, and fields. The plant will grow 1-4 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide. The Genus name is said to be derived from the Greek word anemos meaning wind.
Tall anemone prefers moist, humusy sandy soil and tolerates full shade but prefers some sun. This anemone is not as aggressive as other anemones. The whitish flowers appear in late spring to early summer with a thimble-like center. This center elongates forming tall thimble-like fruits that eventually become cottony with white hairs. that persists into winter.
Use this plant in wildflower gardens, woodland edges or partial shade gardens. This plant is resistant to damage by deer and rabbits. The sap may cause skin irritation so wear gloves to prune..
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Anemone
- Species:
- virginiana
- Family:
- Ranunculaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and eastern United States and much of Canada
- Distribution:
- AL, AR , CO, CT , DC, DE , GA, IA , IL, IN , KS, KY , LA, MA , MD, ME , MI, MN , MO, MS , NC, ND , NE, NH , NJ, NY , OH, OK , PA, RI , SC, SD , TN, VA , VT, WI , WV, WY Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , QC , SK
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer and rabbit resistant
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The thimble-like center of the flower becomes elongated to form an achene of about 3/4-1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide. In fall it takes on a cottony look due to long white hairs with numerous seeds attached. They are eventually dispersed by the wind.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Colored Sepals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The 3/4 to 1" diameter flower has five greenish-white petals (which are actually sepals) and a yellow center (which is composed of stamens); usually borne singly. The flowers are cup-shaped, and the center resembles a thimble.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Whorled
- Leaf Shape:
- Cuneate
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The palmately compound leaves occur basally and in whorls up the stem. They have 2-3 deep lobes that are further divided into 2-3 shallower lobes with serrated to dentate margins. They are whorled along the stem in groups of 3-5 on long hairy petioles. Individual leaves are up to 2-3 inches wide and long. In full sun the leaves are light green and may have a yellowish tint.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- stout, hairy stem
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heavy Shade
- Insect Pests
- Rabbits
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- Symptoms may include: Inflammation and blistering upon contact with fresh sap; irritation of mouth, vomiting and diarrhea following ingestion. Toxic only if eaten in large quantites
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Protoanemonin
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
