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Brundage, Stephanie
Anemone virginiana
Anemone virginiana L.
Tall Thimbleweed, Thimbleweed, Tall Anemone
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: anvi3
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
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 inches (4 cm) long; it is found from Alberta east to Quebec and south to New Jersey and Kansas.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Root Type: Tap
Leaf Complexity: Tripinnate
Leaf Pubescence: Tomentose
Leaf Margin: Serrate
Leaf Base: Cuneate
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Flower: Flowers 1.5 inches across
Fruit: White fluff 1 inch long
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Yellow , GreenBloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug
Bloom Notes: Sometimes tinged red.
Distribution
USA: 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 , WYCanada: 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
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
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: SeedsDescription: Grow from seed sown in fall or early spring. Older plants can be divided.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 1620 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (Reprint Edition) (2009) Wasowski, S. with A. WasowskiBibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 26 - Minnesota Wildflowers: a field guide to the flora of Minnesota (2009)
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Anemone virginiana in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Anemone virginiana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Anemone virginiana
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-04Research By: TWC Staff