SafePlants

Anemone tuberosa (Desert Anemone or Tuber Anemone)

Anemone tuberosa, commonly known as Desert Anemone or Tuber Anemone, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant appreciated for its vibrant blooms and adaptability in garden settings.

Considerations for Pets

• Anemones are listed as potentially poisonous plants.
• The plant grows from tubers that might be accessible to digging pets.

Considerations for Children

• Anemones are listed as potentially poisonous plants.
• The plant grows from tubers that might be accessible when planting.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Anemone tuberosa Rydb.
• Common Names: Desert Anemone, Tuber Anemone, Desert Windflower
• Genus: Anemone
• Family: Ranunculaceae
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Taxonomic Rank: Species
• Synonym: Anemone tuberosa var. tuberosa Rydb.

Distribution and Habitat

• Anemone tuberosa is native to California and also found outside of California in western mountain regions.
• It can be found blooming in Tucson, Arizona, in February.
• It grows wild in many European countries and North America.

Morphological Characteristics

• Grows from tubers that are described as strange-looking, like a craggy lump of dirt.
• The stem is upright, hairless, and fleshy, sprouting from an underground tuber.
• Aerial shoots reach 10-30(-40) cm in height, growing from caudex-like tubers.
• Basal leaves are 1-3(-5), 1-2-ternate with a petiole of 5-7 cm.

Growth Habits

• Perennial herb that reproduces by seeds and tubers.
• Tuber Anemones (Anemone tuberosa) are native, early spring wildflowers.

Quirky Facts

• Anemone "bulbs" are more correctly described as tubers.
• The tubers benefit from a pre-planting soak of 2-4 hours to encourage growth.
• Some varieties, like 'French' anemones, can be planted in either fall or spring.
• Anemone tuberosa is a dicot.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Anemone dahlias are noted for their double blooms with rings of ray florets surrounding tubular florets.

Further Information

• Sue Smith's image of Anemone tuberosa is available at http://cals.arizona.edu/yavapaiplants for educational purposes.
• Additional information can be found on Discover Life's page about Anemone tuberosa.