Description
A Japanese species, which seems very little known, although it was first named by Koidzumi, as long ago as 1917 (Bot. Mag. Tokyo 31, pp 138). The name has been bashed around a little, botanically, but remains valid.
This is a delightful species with a narrow rhizome which resembles a very short and stubby version the more familiar species such as A. nemorosa and A. pseudoaltaica and indeed it likes conditions that suit species such as these, in a moisture retentive, but well-drained, humus-rich soil in part shade. Their small size means that they will also adapt well to pan cultivation, though they do not like to be dried out at all in summer.
The short, slender, creeping rhizomes give rise to a 10cm tall, slightly hairy-leaf stem that bears 2-3 quite small leaves each divided into three, lobed leaflets. The flowers are made with each unfurling leaf cluster and they are classic Anemone flowers. They are up-facing when fully opened, though they start life slightly nodding with a hint of the bashful nature of a Soldanella in their poise. Their colour is pure white with a green tinged central boss and white anthers borne on white filaments.
New to our lists December 2021
