Pulsatilla vulgaris: Uses (Ethnobotany)
Can be used as an herbal medicine.
Plant Profile: Pulsatilla vulgaris
Taxonomy: Pulsatilla vulgarisNames
Meadow Anemone, Pasque Flower, Wind Flower
Phonetic Spelling:pul-sa-TIL-uh vul-GAIR-iss
Genus:Pulsatilla
Species:vulgaris
Family:Ranunculaceae
Anemone pulsatilla is a hardy perennial herb that thrives in rich, humus-laden soil. These plants require consistent moisture during the heat of summer, but they perform optimally in cooler conditions where humidity is lower. Once established, it is advisable to leave them undisturbed. Fortunately, this species is not significantly affected by pests or diseases.
Commonly found in flower gardens, its striking purple blooms bear a resemblance to those of Clematis species.
Pulsatilla vulgaris Feature Summary
Pulsatilla vulgaris Image Gallery
Tags
#purple
#white
#showy flowers
#poisonous
#full sun tolerant
#perennial
#violet
#white flowers
#purple flowers
#seeanemone
#spring flowers
#violet flowers
#cutting garden
#dry soils tolerant
#partial shade tolerant
Similar Plants
Pulsatilla vulgaris is often confused with:
Pulsatilla vulgaris Feature Summary
Attributes
Can be used as an herbal medicine.
Europe, southwestern Asia
dry soil, no serious insect or disease problems
Perennial
Fruit
Flowers are followed by equally-ornamental, plume-like seedheads (reminiscent of some clematis) in fluffy spherical clusters.
Flowers
This plant has 1.5-in. flowers borne singly on 5 to 8 in. stalks, with three sessile deeply-cut leaflets or bracts. Sepals are dull violet-purple; very silky on the under surfaces. Flowers are showy are singular pale or dark violet, rarely white, cup- or bell-shaped with 5-many petal-like parts and many stamens. Flowers are followed by equally-ornamental, plume-like seedheads (reminiscent of some clematis) in fluffy spherical clusters.
Purple/Lavender
White
Cream/Tan
4-5 petals/rays
Bell
1-3 inches
Leaves
This plant has a rosette of finely-divided, stalked leaves, covered with silky hairs (furry). The leaves are fern-like, alternate or whorled, and are attractive even when plant is not flowering.
Green
Alternate
Whorled
Soft
Stem
This plant has hairy stems that emerge first in the spring.
Hairy (pubescent)
Poisonous to Humans
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN THE MOUTH IF EATEN! Poisonous through ingestion and dermatitis. (Poisonous parts: All parts when fresh). Symptoms may include: Inflammation and blistering upon contact with fresh sap; irritation of mouth, vomiting and diarrhea following ingestion.
Protoanemonin
High
Seeds
Leaves
Stems
Flowers
Bark
Fruits
Roots
Whole Plant Traits
Herbaceous Perennial
Poisonous
Wildflower
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Good Drainage
High Organic Matter
Landscape
Insect Pests
Dry Soil
Diseases
Poisonous to Humans
Contact Dermatitis
Pulsatilla vulgaris Image Gallery
Pulsatilla vulgaris Attributes
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Country Or Region Of Origin
Europe, southwestern Asia
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems)
dry soil, no serious insect or disease problems
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Pulsatilla vulgaris Fruit
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Fruit Description
Flowers are followed by equally-ornamental, plume-like seedheads (reminiscent of some clematis) in fluffy spherical clusters.
Pulsatilla vulgaris Flowers
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Flower Description
This plant has 1.5-in. flowers borne singly on 5 to 8 in. stalks, with three sessile deeply-cut leaflets or bracts. Sepals are dull violet-purple; very silky on the under surfaces. Flowers are showy are singular pale or dark violet, rarely white, cup- or bell-shaped with 5-many petal-like parts and many stamens. Flowers are followed by equally-ornamental, plume-like seedheads (reminiscent of some clematis) in fluffy spherical clusters.
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Flower Color
Cream/Tan
Purple/Lavender
White
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Flower Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long Bloom Season
Long-lasting
Showy
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Flower Petals
2-3 rays/petals
4-5 petals/rays
6 petals/rays
7 - 20 petals/rays
asymmetrical petals
Bracts
Colored Sepals
fused petals
more than 20 petals/rays
Tepals
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Flower Shape
Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Pulsatilla vulgaris Leaves
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Leaf Description
This plant has a rosette of finely-divided, stalked leaves, covered with silky hairs (furry). The leaves are fern-like, alternate or whorled, and are attractive even when plant is not flowering.
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Leaf Color
Green
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Leaf Arrangement
Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Leaf Feel
Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Leaf Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long-lasting
Showy
Pulsatilla vulgaris Stem
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Stem Description
This plant has hairy stems that emerge first in the spring.
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Stem Surface
Corky Ridges
Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
Dull
Hairy (pubescent)
Polished
Smooth (glabrous)
Pulsatilla vulgaris Poisonous to Humans
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Poison Symptoms
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. CAUSES SEVERE PAIN IN THE MOUTH IF EATEN! Poisonous through ingestion and dermatitis. (Poisonous parts: All parts when fresh). Symptoms may include: Inflammation and blistering upon contact with fresh sap; irritation of mouth, vomiting and diarrhea following ingestion.
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Poison Toxic Principle
Protoanemonin
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Poison Severity
High
Low
Medium
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Causes Contact Dermatitis
No
Yes
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Poison Part
Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems
Pulsatilla vulgaris Whole Plant Traits
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Pulsatilla vulgaris Cultural Conditions
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Pulsatilla vulgaris Landscape
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Resistance To Challenges
Black Walnut
Compaction
Deer
Diseases
Drought
Dry Soil
Erosion
Fire
Foot Traffic
Heat
Heavy Shade
Humidity
Insect Pests
Pollution
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Salt
Slugs
Squirrels
Storm damage
Urban Conditions
Voles
Wet Soil
Wind
Pulsatilla vulgaris: Problems
Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy
