Anemone ranunculoides

Taxobox
name = "Anemone ranunculoides"

---

image_width = 240px
image_caption = "Anemone ranunculoides" in flower
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Ranunculales
familia = Ranunculaceae
genus = "Anemone"
species = "A. ranunculoides"
binomial = "Anemone ranunculoides"
binomial_authority = L.

"Anemone ranunculoides", the yellow anemone, yellow wood anemone or buttercup anemone, is a species of herbaceous perennial plant that grows in forests across most of Continental Europe, and less frequently in the Mediterranean region. [Phillips, Roger and Rix, Martyn, "Bulbs", Pan Macmillan, London, revised edition, 1989, p73. ISBN 0 330 30253 1] It is not native to the British Isles, though it may occasionally be found as a garden escape. [cite book |author=W. Keble Martin |title=Concise British Flora in Colour |publisher=Ebury Press and Michael Joseph, London, second (revised) edition |year=1971 |pages=Plate 1]

Growth

It flowers between March and May.

Growing to 5-15 cm tall, the plant is herbaceous, dying back down to its root-like rhizomes by mid summer. The rhizomes spread just below the earth surface and multiply quickly, contributing to its rapid spread in woodland conditions. The flower is about 1.5 cm diameter, with from five to eight petal-like segments (actually tepals) of rich yellow colouring.

Cultivation

The plant is widely grown as a garden plant, especially by rock garden and alpine garden enthusiasts. It has been awarded an Award of Garden Merit or AGM, H4 (hardy throughout the British Isles) by the Royal Horticultural Society.

"Anemone ranunculoides" 'Frank Waley', a larger-growing, more robust cultivar, is sometimes available, as are the miniature subspecies "A. ranunculoides" subsp. "wockeana" and a selection known as "A. ranunculoides" 'Laciniata', with finely divided leaves. There is also a double-flowered cultivar, "A. ranunculoides" 'Pleniflora' (also sometimes listed as 'Semiplena' or 'Flore Pleno').cite book |author=Tony Lord (ed) |title=RHS Plant Finder 2006–2007 |edition=20th edition |publisher=Dorling Kindersley, London |year=2006 |pages=p78 |id=ISBN 1-4053-1455-9]

Related species and hybrids

Wood anemone, "Anemone nemorosa", is similar to "A. ranunculoides" but has slightly larger flowers (usually white, but they may be pinkish or lilac, often with a darker tint to the back of the 'petals'). "Anemone" × "lipsiensis" is a hybrid between these two species and has pale yellow flowers; it is often found where the two parent species grow near each other. [cite book |author=Roger Phillips & Martyn Rix |title=Bulbs |publisher=Pan Macmillan Ltd, London |edition=revised edition |year=1989 |pages=p73 |id=ISBN 0-330-30253-1] "A." × "lipsiensis" 'Pallida' is the best-known result of this cross. A most attractive plant, it has been awarded the AGM, H4, like both of its parents.

ee also

* List of early spring flowers
* List of late spring flowers

References