Anemone nikoensis
Maxim.
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) WATANABE Hitoshi 渡辺仁, some rights reserved (CC BY)
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) WATANABE Hitoshi 渡辺仁, some rights reserved (CC BY)
iNaturalist· cc-by
(c) WATANABE Hitoshi 渡辺仁, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Summary
A compact perennial reaching 30 cm tall. Hermaphroditic flowers bloom April to May and are insect-pollinated. Adapts to light, medium, or heavy soils including very alkaline types, and tolerates full shade, semi-shade, or open conditions. Can endure drought and prefers either dry or moist soil. Hardy to UK zone 6.
Description
A compact perennial reaching 30 cm tall. Hermaphroditic flowers bloom April to May and are insect-pollinated. Adapts to light, medium, or heavy soils including very alkaline types, and tolerates full shade, semi-shade, or open conditions. Can endure drought and prefers either dry or moist soil. Hardy to UK zone 6.
Edible Uses
The leaves of Anemone nikoensis are edible when cooked. Some caution is advised regarding toxicity.
Traditional Uses
CAUTION: Most Anemone plants are poisonous.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Known Hazards
Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, many members of this genus contain protoanemonin, an irritating acrid oil that is an enzymatic breakdown product of the glycoside ranunculin. While protoanemonin can cause severe topical and gastrointestinal irritation, it is unstable and changes into harmless anemonin when plants are dried or heated.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
Asia, Japan, Korea,
Cultivation
Succeeds in ordinary garden soil but prefers a moist well-drained humus-rich soil. Tolerates dry summer conditions. This species is closely related to A. nemerosa. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. A greedy plant, inhibiting the growth of nearby plants, especially legumes.
Propagation
Sow seed in a cold frame as soon as it ripens in summer, surface-sowing or barely covering it and keeping the soil moist. Stored seed should be sown as early as possible in late winter or early spring. Germination typically takes 1–6 months at 15°C. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow on in light shade in the greenhouse for at least their first year before planting out in spring. Division can be done in late summer after the plant dies down.
Other Uses
None known.
Notes
There are about 120 Anemone species.
Synonyms
References (3)
- Bull. Acad. Imp. Sci. Saint-Petersbourg 18:275. 1873 (Diagn. pl. nov. jap.)
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Wilson, S., 1997, Some Plants are Poisonous. Reed. p 15
