Tall anemone is a herbaceous perennial in the buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family that is native to Canada and central to eastern USA including NC. It can be found in woodlands, forest edges, prairies, meadows, and fields. . The Genus name is said to be derived from the Greek word anemos meaning wind. Tall anemone will grow 1 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide and prefesr moist, humusy sandy soil in partial sun but tolerates full shade. This anemone is not as aggressive as other anemones but will spread by rhizomes. Propagation is by seed and division. The sap may cause skin irritation so wear gloves to prune.. The whitish flowers appear in late spring to early summer with a thimble-like center. This center elongates forming tall thimble-like fruits that eventually become cottony with white hairs. that persists into winter. Use this plant in wildflower gardens, woodland edges or partial shade gardens. This plant is resistant to damage by deer and rabbits. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Root rot can occur in too wet soils.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Rosulate; Whorled
Leaf shape
Cuneate; Oblong
Leaf margin
Dentate; Lobed; Serrate
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The palmately compound leaves occur basally and in whorls up the stem. They have 2-3 deep lobes that are further divided into 2-3 shallower lobes with serrated to dentate margins. They are whorled along the stem in groups of 3-5 on long hairy petioles. Individual leaves are up to 2-3 inches wide and long. In full sun the leaves are light green and may have a yellowish tint.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Green; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Cup; Radial
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The 3/4 to 1" diameter flower has five greenish-white petals (which are actually sepals) and a yellow center (which is composed of stamens); usually borne singly. The flowers are cup-shaped, and the center resembles a thimble.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Green; White
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The thimble-like center of the flower becomes elongated to form an achene of about 3/4-1 inch long and 1/2 inch wide. In fall it takes on a cottony look due to long white hairs with numerous seeds attached. They are eventually dispersed by the wind.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
stout, hairy stem
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Central and eastern United States and much of Canada
Distribution
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, WY Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , QC , SK
Symptoms may include: Inflammation and blistering upon contact with fresh sap; irritation of mouth, vomiting and diarrhea following ingestion. Toxic only if eaten in large quantites