The Canada anemone is a herbaceous perennial meaning it loses its leaves down to the ground every fall and it lives for more than two years. Alternative names for this plant include round headed anemone, crowfoot or the meadow anemone. The scientific name is Anemone canadenis. The Canada anemone is endangered in the state of Connecticut but is still common in the Midwestern states. It is a member of the Buttercup or Ranunculaceae family.
The native habitat for this plant includes areas such as stream banks, lake shores of North America, moist meadows and meadows.. The Canada anemone spreads quickly by means of underground rhizomes (horizontal underground stem of a plant) and is highly valued for its beautiful white bloom. The Canada anemone can be transplanted in fall or early spring. Each piece of the root should be several inches in length and should be spaced about a foot apart at the depth of one half inch. If the plant becomes too aggressive and overgrown the flowers will decrease. It is a good idea to thin and transplant the Canada anemone in the fall if this occurs.
The shoots of the Canada anemone has toothed basal leaves and area deeply divided. The basal leaves grow from the lowest part of the stems. The leaves grow on caudices (base of the stem) on long, thin rhizomes.
The flower of the Canada anemone has several stamens that bloom from the later part of spring into the summer months. They have five sepals and their stems are located above a leaf cluster. The seeds of the Canada anemone are achenes (simple dry fruits) and are located in a small dense head.
Native American Indigenous peoples used the plant as an astringent and as a styptic for sores, wounds, nosebleeds and as an eye cleanser. The Ranunculaceae family of plants is known to contain caustic irritants and it is most likely that the Canada anemone is no exception. This can cause skin irritations if handled incorrectly. All parts of the plant can be poisonous when they are fresh; and while some of the plant is edible it can be quite toxic if too much of this plant is consumed. The fresh sap can cause blisters on contact. Consumption of the plant can lead to diarrhea, vomiting and stomach pain.
The Canada anemone is quite an aggressive plant. It can take over other forms of plant life if not kept under control
