The blossoms, which show the way in the dark forest like white stars on the ground, release feelings of spring. But beware: the wood anemone is poisonous. What else is there to know about this plant?

The wood anemone is poisonous to humans and animals

In profile form: You should know these facts

  • Plant Family: Ranunculaceae
  • Botanical name: Anemone nemorosa
  • Origin: Europe
  • Growth: herbaceous, ground covering, upright
  • Foliage: deciduous, pinnate
  • Flowering time: March to April
  • Location: semi-shady to shady
  • Soil: permeable, humic, nutritious, moist
  • Care: undemanding
  • Propagation: Sowing, division of the rhizomes
  • Special features: poisonous, is under nature protection

Other names, natural occurrence and toxicity

While the wood anemone is known among botanists as Anemone nemorosa, it is known regionally under other titles. It is also known under the names witch flower, forest anemone, March flower, fat flower and old women.

The wood anemone can often be found in deciduous forests. There it likes to grow under the crown of leafless trees. Furthermore, it feels extremely well cared for on damp meadows and in floodplains. It is under nature protection throughout Germany.

The wood anemone is known to be poisonous in all parts of the plant. When fresh, the plant is toxic to both humans and animals. Only when the parts of the plant have dried are they harmless, since the toxin they contain is converted during drying. When fresh, the wood anemone damages:

  • digestive system
  • kidneys
  • nervous system

Viewed from the bottom up

A creeping rhizome up to 30 cm long forms underground. While it overwinters in the ground, it develops 2 to 3 pinnate, deep green colored leaves in spring. Together with its flowers, the wood anemone reaches a height of up to 20 cm.

The flowering period of the wood anemone lasts from March to April/May. Normally there is one flower per plant. It is star-shaped and colored white, pink, purple, or blue. At night and when it rains, the flower head leans towards the ground. It gives rise to 20 single-seeded follicles, reminiscent of small nuts.

Location and care requirements

The low location requirements make the wood anemone a welcome guest in the garden. It prefers to grow where other flowers don't - in partial shade to light shade. Just 2 hours of sun a day is enough for him.

This plant does not necessarily need fertilizer. She shouldn't get a cut either. Otherwise there is a risk that it will die. The only thing that matters to them is watering. From February/March the soil underneath should be kept moist. The wood anemone can deal well with dry periods.

The wood anemone can easily be propagated using its underground rhizomes. These can be dug up in winter and cut into pieces and replanted elsewhere. In addition, the plant multiplies quickly by self-sowing.

tips and tricks

Due to the small number of flowers (1 per plant), the wood anemone only looks expressive when planted in groups.

Category:

Herbs