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Anemone virginiana is often confused with:
Heuchera villosa Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Actaea pachypoda Actaea pachypoda
Trillium erectum Flowers
Viola pubescens Form

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

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:
Tags:
#poisonous#white flowers#green flowers#yellow flowers#shade garden#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#naturalizes#cutting garden#poor soils tolerant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#shade flowers#heavy shade tolerant#perennial#wildflower#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#poisonous#white flowers#green flowers#yellow flowers#shade garden#NC native#summer flowers#deer resistant#naturalizes#cutting garden#poor soils tolerant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#shade flowers#heavy shade tolerant#perennial#wildflower#woodland
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    stout, hairy stem
  • 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
  • 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