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Oak anemone or oak anemone (anemone nemorosa) is one of the prettiest perennial herbaceous plants in our forests. Unusual flying flowers, illuminating the space between the trees, were associated with snowdrops, which do not grow everywhere. The regional names of the anemone reflect this fact: the snow maiden, the white scilla. This early flowering ephemeroid plant disappears from view as soon as the seeds ripen. The poetic soul of the people, fascinated by the fragile flower, created an instructive legend about the origin of the plant.
The oak anemone is a consolation for Eve. When Adam and Eve left paradise, snow fell on them and they wept bitterly. The Creator took pity, and some of the snowflakes turned into pretty flowers, as a promise of heavenly support in the earthly lot. Oak anemone has really become an indispensable medicinal plant in folk medicine.
Favorite mid spring flower
Anemone is noticeable among other herbaceous perennial plants on the forest carpet with its filigree, thrice dissected leaves, which form extensive, brightly saturated green clumps. Peduncles depart from the rhizome one at a time, sepals are absent, so all 6-8 flower petals are easily amenable to the slightest breath of wind. Hence the common name of the plant – anemone. Its white, lilac or light pink single flowers, up to 2-3 cm in diameter, like graceful forest ballerinas, gracefully dance, rapturously singing the hymn to spring in the still quiet, awakening April forest. The flowering of the oak anemone continues until mid-May.
And numerous seeds, hidden in a short-haired oblong achene with an oily appendage, ripen in June – to the delight of the ants, who stubbornly plant the oak anemone further. The plant also reproduces successfully vegetatively – its smooth, cylindrical rhizome spreads horizontally, forming picturesque thickets. The stalk of anemone oak is solitary, rarely pubescent, erect, reaches 25 cm in height under favorable conditions, surrounded by leaves with short petioles, collected three in a whorl.
The herbaceous perennial plant oak anemone (anemone nemorosa) indicates its range by name – deciduous forests, found on the edges of spruce forests, where oaks used to grow. Grows well on loose fertile soils. Distributed throughout Europe, in Siberia there are closely related species. Now oak anemone or oak anemone (anemone nemorosa) is listed in the Red Book of many states, including Our Country. Its beauty attracts people who, pulling on the stem, break the rhizome, destroying the entire wild plant. But the perennial oak anemone is able to live in one place up to 50 years!
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Anemones in our gardens
Wild-growing perennial anemones are confidently gaining their place in gardens. Not only delicate flowers look impressive, but also carved leaves of this herbaceous plant.
They are a sophisticated decoration for:
- borders located near ornamental shrubs;
- small flower beds that are under fruit trees;
- garden slides.
Harmonious neighborhood of transplanted wild perennial anemones with small varieties of bulbous plants, pansies, various primroses. For open ground, oak anemone is a very successful herbaceous plant, due to the ability of its rhizome to spread over a large area in a relatively short time.
Oak anemone plantations successfully develop in conditions similar to natural ones, planting and caring for perennial plants is quite simple. A little shade in the summer and floods of sunshine in the spring. Usually, only pieces of rhizome with buds are taken to propagate wild anemones.
It is necessary to plant at a depth of 8-10 cm in July or August, when the ground part of this perennial herbaceous plant has already died. Oak anemone is frost-resistant, ideal for open ground, because it does not require shelter for the winter. Although flower buds that form on rhizomes in autumn may suffer from severe frosts.
It should be emphasized that planting and caring for the numerous garden forms of anemone, which are bred by breeders, are almost the same as the cares for growing transplanted wild plants.
- Choose a site rich in humus, with slightly acidic or alkaline loose fertile soil;
- Sometimes a little sand is added to the soil, so it becomes more water and breathable;
- Particular attention is paid to proper watering: the land where anemones grow should be moist, but without stagnant water;
- The ideal solution is mulching with the leaves of fruit trees;
- The anemone gratefully responds with abundant flowering to fertilizing with fertilizers.
Plants with petals of different colors are now popular, in which the underground part is nodules, not rhizomes. The conditions for planting and caring for them are somewhat different.
The oak wood anemone Vestal has a special charm. Its exclusive, large, white-porcelain flowers are 6 cm in diameter. The main advantage is a terry raised pom-pom in the center of the flower, which is formed from narrow petals. Surrounded by lacy leaves, the fluffy flowers of the Vestal anemone produce an indelible impression of beauty and grace. The flowering period of this perennial herbaceous plant, under appropriate planting and care conditions, can reach two weeks.
The healing power of primrose
Among the characteristics of the wild-growing oak anemone, one of the most valuable is the medicinal purpose of the plant. Used only in traditional medicine. It has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-spasmodic and diaphoretic properties. Anemone grass is used for diseases of the heart, stomach, as well as in the treatment of whooping cough, gout, paralysis, pneumonia, dermatosis.
Most often, anemone herb is collected for external use in the form of compresses, to alleviate the condition with rheumatism and gout. Various lotions or washings are popular in case of non-healing wounds or dermatoses.
For infusion, dry anemone grass is crushed, two teaspoons are poured into a glass container and a glass of not hot, but boiled water is poured. They insist for days.
It is strictly forbidden to use any dosage forms from oak anemone (anemone nemorosa):
- pregnant, because its abortive properties are noted;
- suffering from inflammation of the kidneys.
Even when harvesting anemone herb for external use, precautions must be taken when using gloves. With reckless behavior, burns of the skin and mucous membranes are possible.
The salvation of the forest beauty is in our hands
Through its healing properties, and in our time – simply for its unique and vibrant beauty, this wild herbaceous plant with beautiful flowers is on the verge of extinction. In order not to damage nature, it is better to admire the amazingly delicate flower, take a picture of it, but do not pick it.
