Anemone virginiana aka Thimbleweed

Anemone virginiana has the common name thimbleweed. It belongs to the buttercup family. This plant has soft stems and lives for many years. Its native range spans much of Canada. It also spans the central and eastern United States. It grows in woods and at forest edges. It also grows in prairies, meadows, and fields. Other sites include rocky slopes, thickets, and river banks. It grows upright and spreads through rhizomes, or underground stems.

Garden plants reach about 2 feet [0.61 metres] tall. Some sources give heights of 4 feet [1.22 metres]. Missouri Botanical Garden notes that wild plants can grow taller. Plants spread about 1–2 feet [0.30–0.61 metres] across. Stout green stems have hairs and rise above the leaves. Leaves grow at the base and along the stems. They are palmately compound, with leaflets spread like fingers. Stem leaves form rings, or whorls, on long, hairy stalks. Deep lobes split into smaller lobes with toothed edges. Leaves in sun can look pale green or yellowish. They may turn red late in the season.

Flowers have five sepals, which look like petals. These are white to greenish-white. They surround a raised group of yellow stamens. Each cup-shaped bloom measures about an inch across. Flowers often sit alone on stems above the leaves. Sources give bloom dates from April into summer. Missouri Botanical Garden lists April and May. Chicago Botanic Garden lists May through August. The raised flower centre grows into a thimble-shaped fruit head. Its small, dry fruits, called achenes, grow long white hairs. These hairs form as autumn arrives. Wind carries the seeds. The heads can last into winter.

Grow thimbleweed in soil that drains well. Give it plenty of organic matter. It prefers moist, sandy soil but also grows in loam. It accepts dry soil or soil with a moderate moisture level. It can cope with drought. Full sun or part shade suits it. It also copes with deep shade. Sources list USDA hardiness zones 2–8. Use it at woodland edges or in borders. It also suits native wildflower beds and mass plantings. It suits areas where plants can spread on their own. Bees visit the flowers. Chicago Botanic Garden also reports that butterflies show interest. Deer and rabbits tend to leave it alone. It spreads less than many other anemones.

Sources report no major pest or disease problems. Soil that stays too wet can cause root rot. Growers can raise plants from seeds or divide them. No sources list an edible use for this species. Fresh sap may inflame skin or cause blisters. Eating large amounts can cause mouth irritation. It can also cause vomiting or diarrhoea. Plants For A Future records past uses as medicine. People used roots and seeds in these treatments. They made remedies for coughs, diarrhoea, and boils.