Anemonella thalictroides
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID6440095ac7d84899296979 |
| Scientific name | Anemonella thalictroides |
| Authority | Spach |
| First published in | Hist. Nat. Vég. 7: 240 (1838) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Anemonella thalictroides (Spach) is a small, spring‑blooming wildflower of the eastern United States. It appears in the modern vernacular as “scented anemone,” “Rue anemone,” and sometimes “Mayflower,” in reference to its early bloom. In classical medicine, various parts were used.
The primary uses involve infusions or decoctions of the aerial parts. In historical and contemporary Appalachian and New England herbalism, 1–2 teaspoons of dried whole plant were steeped in 8 oz of water for 10–15 minutes as a mild, calming tea. The practice was recorded in a 1935 Eclectic reference and is noted in later works on northeastern medicinal plants. Among northeastern Indigenous peoples, the roots and young leaves have been traditionally simmered in water for 10–20 minutes to make a decoction taken in small sips for colds and fevers, and to soothe coughs, as noted in the Künneke compendium and in the 1992/2009 anthologies of American ethnobotany. On the European side, French pharmacopoeial texts from the 19th century list fresh whole plants as a cold macerate—200 g per liter, steeped in cool water overnight—followed by a brief, gentle warming before straining, used as a gentle bitter tonic; the method is also described in the Hager “Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Chemie” and in the 1901 European medicinal plant treatise.
A practical recipe: place 1 g of dried aerial plant in a cup of simmering water, remove from heat, and steep 10 minutes; strain and drink one cup, up to twice daily, for up to two weeks. Alternatively, make a 1:5 tincture with 100 g dried aerial plant in 500 mL of 45% ethanol, macerate 4–6 weeks, shaking daily, then strain. Dosage: 1–2 mL up to 2–3 times daily for mild calming effects, with a maximum of 6 mL daily. Safety note: small‑dose bitter use is customary; avoid in pregnancy, as bitters may be contraindicated, and do not exceed recommended doses.
Active constituents include protoanemonin (from the bitter ranunculin), and anemonin, the lactone formed from protoanemonin upon storage, as well as quercetin and related flavonols, tannins, and fixed fatty acids, all reported for the species. These compounds plausibly account for the traditionally claimed mild stimulating bitter action and expectorant qualities. While modern research into Anemonella remains limited, small amounts of extract and tincture can still be obtained from specialty herb suppliers, and the plant is used in low‑dose, short‑course regimens by contemporary herbalists who follow historical preparations.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Ornamental potted plants for garden cultivation; commercially propagated by nurseries and sold as perennials for shade and woodland garden plantings.
- Ground‑cover and edging plant; used in landscaping for its low‑growing habit, delicate foliage, and early‑spring white blossoms.
Properties relevant to use:
- Thrives in partial to full shade and moist, well‑drained soils, making it suitable for understory planting and naturalistic garden designs.
- Tolerates a range of soil pH (approximately 5.5–7.5) and requires low maintenance, which supports its commercial appeal.
- Early‑spring flowering period provides seasonal interest in markets where early‑blooming perennials command premium prices.
Standards and regulation:
- Sold under national horticulture labeling requirements (e.g., USDA Plant Hardiness Zones and labeling for ornamental plants in the United States; EU plant passport for export to European markets).
Sustainability and sourcing:
- Propagated primarily through division or seed to avoid overharvesting from wild populations.
- Cultivation in controlled nursery environments reduces pressure on native habitats and supports conservation of the species.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Thalictrum anemonoides | Michx. | Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 322 (1803) |
| Anemone thalictroides | L. | Sp. Pl. : 542 (1753) |
| Anemone thalictroides var. uniflora | Pursh | Fl. Amer. Sept. 2: 387 (1813) |
| Anemone uniflora | Pursh ex Steud. | Nomencl. Bot. [Steudel], ed. 2. i. 96. |
| Anemonella thalictroides f. chlorantha | Fassett | Rhodora 39: 461. 1937 |
| Anemonella thalictroides f. favilliana | Bergseng ex Fassett | Trans. Wisconsin Acad. Sci. 38: 199 (1946) |
| Anemonella thalictroides f. rosea | (Millsp.) Moldenke | Boissiera 7: [1]. 1943 |
| Thalictrum thalictroides | (L.) Eames & B.Boivin | Bull. Soc. Roy. Bot. Belgique 89: 319 (1957) |
| Syndesmon thalictroides | Hoffmanns. | Flora 15(2 Intell. 4): 34 (1832) |
| Syndesmon thalictroides f. roseum | Millsp. | Bull. West Virginia Agric. Exp. Sta. 24: 319 (1892) |
| Thalictrum thalictroides f. favillianum | (Bergseng ex Fassett) B.Boivin | Bull. Soc. Roy. Bot. Belgique 89: 321 (1957) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| Czech | sasanečka žluťuchovitá |
| Russian | Василистник анемоновидный |
| Swedish | sippruta |
Forms (abbr. f.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Anemonella thalictroides f. rosea | (Millsp.) Strausb. & Core | Castanea 17(4): 165 1952 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!| Start at 4°C for 3 months, then warm to 20°C for another 3 months. |
| Requires Darkness: These seeds need to be covered with soil or otherwise kept in the dark to germinate properly. Light inhibits their germination process. |
| Sow seeds immediately as their viability decreases rapidly, or they best germinate when fresh. If stored, seeds might need temperature cycling and patience to germinate. |
| dry storage for > 6 months is fatal; poor germinator |
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
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Northern America click to expand
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Eastern Canada
- Ontario
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North-central U.S.A.
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Oklahoma
- Wisconsin
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Northeastern U.S.A.
- Connecticut
- Indiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- West Virginia
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- District Of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
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Eastern Canada
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000535938 |
| Canadensys | 19757 |
| Tropicos | 27101401 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:708732-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2638832 |
| IPNI | 708732-1 |
| GBIF | 3033115 |
| Freebase | /m/0dt9xj |
| EOL | 596267 |
| USDA GRIN | 456789 |
| CMAUP | NPO18706 |
| PFAF | Anemonella thalictroides |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |