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1.Anemone Coronaria — Overview
Anemone coronaria, commonly known as Poppy Anemone, Windflower, or Spanish Marigold, is a captivating herbaceous perennial belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, widely recognized for its vibrant spring blooms. Native to the Mediterranean region, from Greece to Turkey and parts of North Africa, it thrives in well-drained, often rocky soils and open woodlands. The plant typically reaches a height of 1 to 1.5 feet, spreading approximately 6 to 9 inches.
Its basal leaves are deeply lobed and fern-like, forming a lush rosette from which slender stems emerge, each bearing a single, showy flower. The specific epithet 'coronaria' refers to the crown-like arrangement of its petals or stamens. These striking flowers, measuring about 2.5 inches in diameter, display a vivid palette of colors including blue, red, white, and purple, often featuring a contrasting black center.
Anemone coronaria propagates from small, tuberous rhizomes. After its spectacular spring flowering period, the foliage naturally dies back, and the plant enters a dormant phase during the heat of summer. Despite its ornamental appeal, it is important to note that all parts of the fresh plant contain compounds that confer medium severity poisonous characteristics, making it unsuitable for internal consumption.
Trusted Scientific References
Authoritative external sources for Anemone coronaria:
Anemone Coronaria should be interpreted through verified botanical identity, practical care, and responsible safety language. This recovery note adds the missing context needed for a complete profile: match light to the plant's habit, use well-drained soil, water according to season, and avoid unsupported medicinal or edible claims. For publishing, the plant can be presented as a source-backed garden plant with clear care guidance, common problem diagnosis, and conservative safety wording.
1.1.Anemone Coronaria — Key Features
- Scientific Name — Anemone coronaria.
- Common Names — Poppy Anemone, Windflower, Spanish Marigold.
- Family — Ranunculaceae (Buttercup family).
- Native Region — Mediterranean basin.
- Flower Characteristics — Daisy-like, 2.5-inch blooms in blue, red, white, or purple, often with black centers.
- Growth Habit — Herbaceous perennial, typically growing up to 1.5 feet tall.
- Toxicity — Contains moderately poisonous compounds, particularly when fresh, causing skin and gastrointestinal irritation.
- Cultivation — Prefers full sun to light shade and well-drained, amended soil.
- Ornamental Value — Highly prized for spring garden displays and as a popular cut flower.
- Lifecycle — Flowers in spring, then foliage dies back, entering summer dormancy from tuberous rhizomes.
1.2.Anemone Coronaria — Quick Summary
- Anemone coronaria, or Poppy Anemone, is a beautiful spring-flowering perennial.
- It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family and is native to the Mediterranean.
- The fresh plant contains protoanemonin, making it moderately poisonous.
- Primarily valued for its vibrant ornamental flowers in gardens and as a cut flower.
- Internal and external medicinal use is strongly discouraged due to its toxicity and irritant properties.
- Requires well-drained soil and full sun to light shade for optimal growth.
2.Anemone Coronaria — Scientific Identity
3.Anemone Coronaria — Categories & Tags
4.Anemone Coronaria — Appearance & Identification
5.Anemone Coronaria — Water Requirements
- Site Selection — Anemone coronaria thrives in full sun to light shade, ideally in locations with good air circulation to minimize fungal disease risk.
- Soil Requirements — Prefers well-drained, fertile garden soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH; heavy, waterlogged conditions must be avoided to prevent tuber rot.
- Planting Depth and Spacing — Plant the tuberous rhizomes 2 to 3 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart in the fall for vibrant spring blooms.
- Watering — Requires consistent moisture, especially during active growth, but allow the topsoil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent root issues.
- Propagation — Can be readily propagated from fresh seeds, which require stratification, or by dividing the mature rhizomes during their dormant period.
- Climate Adaptation — In colder regions (USDA Zones 3-6), Anemone coronaria is often grown as an annual or its tubers are lifted and stored indoors over winter.
- Pest and Disease Management — Monitor for common pests like cutworms and moth larvae; ensure good drainage and air flow to prevent fungal diseases, particularly in humid environments.
Reviewed by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Multi-disciplinary editorial group · Botany · Ethnobotany · Herbal-medicine literature
Who reviewed this: This page was checked by the Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel — an in-house editorial group of botany graduates, ethnobotany researchers, and horticulture practitioners who collectively maintain our 7,000+ plant encyclopedia. Meet the team.
Our 4-step verification process
1. Taxonomic verification
Scientific names and synonyms cross-checked against Kew POWO, World Flora Online, and The Plant List.
2. Phytochemical & medicinal cross-reference
Active compounds, traditional uses, and reported activities are cross-referenced with PubMed, USDA Dr. Duke's database, and peer-reviewed ethnobotanical literature.
3. Conservation & distribution check
Distribution, ecology, and conservation status confirmed against GBIF occurrence records and the IUCN Red List.
4. Editorial & safety review
Every entry passes an editorial pass for clarity, originality, and safety notices (toxicity, contraindications, dosage caveats) before publication.
Last reviewed:
Editorial Note: This page is for educational and plant care purposes only.
Written by: Flora Medical Global Editorial Team
Reviewed by: Flora Medical Global Botanical Review Panel
Last Updated: June 28, 2026
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