Anemonastrum richardsonii, commonly known as yellow thimbleweed, is named after a Scottish naturalist, Sir John Richardson (1787–1865) who found it on Franklin's expedition to the Arctic.[3] It is a perennial, deciduous plant that blooms in mid to early June.[3][4]
| Anemonastrum richardsonii | |
|---|---|
| |
| The yellow flower of Anemonastrum richardsonii, showing above-ground stem and sessile leaves | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Order: | Ranunculales |
| Family: | Ranunculaceae |
| Genus: | Anemonastrum |
| Species: | A. richardsonii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Anemonastrum richardsonii | |
Description
editYellow thimbleweed is recognized by its small single yellow flowers. These flowers are considered perfect, which means they have both male and female reproductive organs.[3] The flower lacks petals but has yellow sepals that act as petals and it has a superior ovary.[3] The flower sits on a stem that can grow about 20 centimetres (7.9 in) high, and is pubescent (covered with tiny hairs).[3]
Anemonastrum richardsonii has rhizomes (underground stems) which are thread-like with stalked leaves that are palmately lobed.[3] It also has stem leaves that are 3-parted and sharply toothed in a whorled arrangement below the flowers.[3]
The flower develops into an achene (a dry fruit), which is generally small, 3–4 millimetres (0.12–0.16 in) long.[3] It is sub-spherical (nearly round), lacks hairs, and is hooked at the tip.[3] The fruit of the yellow thimbleweed is dispersed by wind and has a style that aids in flight.[3]
Habitat
editAnemonastrum richardsonii prefers subarctic climates and can be found in willow thickets, snow patches, along streams, near peat and mosses, and in moist areas with low drainage.[5] It is capable of growing under a wide range of soil pH.[5]
Range
editYellow thimbleweed can be found throughout most of Canada, including the Northwest Territories, Yukon, northern Quebec, Labrador, the Nunavut Islands, Melville Island, and Victoria Island Canada, as well as in west Greenland and Alaska (U.S.A.).[5][6]
Importance to ecosystems
editA. richardsonii's flowers produce much pollen, which attracts some insect pollinators, but they do not produce much nectar; the plant is not generally eaten by vertebrates.[3]
Uses
editHerbalists use the plant to soothe abrasions, toothaches, rheumatism, and depression.[3] Traditionally, the roots were boiled and used in an attempt to treat paralysis, though this was ineffective.[3] The smoke from the cotton of the ripe seeds was also burned and inhaled to relieve headaches.[3]
A. richardsonii contains anemonin and protoanemonin, bioactive compounds which have been investigated for potential therapeutic uses; one indication is that anemonin may inhibit pigmentation synthesis.[3][7]
Conservation
editIn British Columbia, A. richardsonii is abundant, secure and widespread;[8] this seems to reflect the status of the species throughout North America, as it is not listed in any vulnerable categories by COSEWIC in Canada or by the United States Department of Agriculture.[6][8]
References
edit- ^ "NatureServe Explorer - Anemonastrum richardsonii". NatureServe Explorer Anemonastrum richardsonii. NatureServe. 2022-06-22. Retrieved 22 Jun 2022.
- ^ Phytoneuron 2016-79: 4 (2016)
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o CYSIP. "Central Yukon Species Inventory Project". Friends of Dempster County. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ ITIS report: Anemone richardsonii Hook
- ^ a b c Aiken, S.G. (1999). Flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago – Anemone richardsonii Hooker. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Museum of Nature. Retrieved 2020-02-06.
- ^ a b USDA, Natural Resource Conservation Service. "Plants Profile: Anemone richardsonii Hook. yellow thimbleweed". United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- ^ Huang, Yen-Hua; Lee, Tzong-Huei; Chan, Kuei-Jung; Hsu, Feng-Lin; Wu, Yu-Chih; Lee, Mei-Hsien (February 2008). "Anemonin is a natural bioactive compound that can regulate tyrosinase-related proteins and mRNA in human melanocytes". Journal of Dermatological Science. 49 (2): 115–123. doi:10.1016/j.jdermsci.2007.07.008. PMID 17766092.
- ^ a b EAPBC. "E-Flora BC Vascular Plant Atlas". University of British Columbia. Retrieved October 22, 2011.