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Bloodworth, Stefan (Durham, NC)

Anemone virginiana L.

Tall thimbleweed, Thimbleweed, Tall anemone

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

USDA Symbol: ANVI3

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This perennial’s erect, multiple stems, rising 2-3 ft., are topped by a greenish-white flower with a slightly elongated center resembling a short thimble. After frost, the thimble matures to a cottony tuft. Leaves are deeply cut and clustered in a whorl halfway up the stem.

The distinctive, thimble-shaped group of pistils accounts for the common name. Long-headed Thimbleweed (A. cylindrica) has narrower leaf segments and fruit in a long, cylindrical cone 1 1/2 (4 cm) long; it is found from Alberta east to Quebec and south to New Jersey and Kansas.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Complexity: Tripinnate
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Leaf Pubescence: Tomentose
Leaf Margin: Serrate
Leaf Base: Cuneate
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to 2 feet tall
Flower Size: 1.5 inches across
Fruit Length: 1 inch long
Fruit Color: White fluff

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Green , Brown
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CO , CT , DE , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NY , NC , ND , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VT , VA , WV , WI , WY , DC
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Almost cross the entire southern half of Canada. In the US from central ME to MN, s. to GA, TN, AR, & e. KS
Native Habitat: Woodlands, Forest Edges, Prairies, Meadows, Fields
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8) , Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Drought Tolerance: High
Cold Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Dry or moist, rich, acid soils. Tolerates lime.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: White flowers attractive in gardens and meadows. Fluffy seedheads also ornamental.
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: All parts when fresh. Toxic only if eaten in large quantities. Symptoms include inflammation and blistering upon contact with fresh sap and irritation of the mouth, vomiting and diarrhea following ingestion. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds
Description: Grow from seed sown in fall or early spring. Older plants can be divided.
Commercially Avail: yes
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From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV

Bibliography

Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski and Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Anemone virginiana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Anemone virginiana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Anemone virginiana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-02
Research By: TWC Staff

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