Anemone narcissiflora
Anemone acutiloba
narcissus anemone, narcissus-flower anemone
anémone à lobes aigus, hépatique à lobes aigus, sharp-lobed hepatica, sharplobe hepatica
7-60 cm, from caudices, caudices ascending to vertical.
5-19 cm, from rhizomes, rhizomes ascending to horizontal.
3-10, ternate;
petiole (2-)4-20 cm;
terminal leaflet ±sessile, obtriangular to oblanceolate, (2.5-)3-6(-9) × 2-10 cm, base narrowly cuneate to cuneate, margins incised (sometimes with few serrate teeth) on distal 1/3, apex acute to obtuse, surfaces glabrous or puberulous to villous or pilose;
lateral leaflets 1-3x-parted and -lobed; ultimate lobes 3-10 mm wide.
3-15, often purplish abaxially, simple, deeply divided;
petiole 3-19 cm;
leaf blade widely orbiculate, 1.3-8 × 1.8- -11.5 cm, base cordate, margins entire, apex acute or acuminate, surfaces strongly villous to glabrescent;
lobes 3(-5), deltate, 0.7-4 cm wide;
middle lobe 70-90% of total blade length.
2-8-flowered umbels or flowers solitary;
peduncle puberulous to villous or pilose to nearly glabrous;
involucral bracts (2-)3, 1-tiered, simple, greatly reduced, otherwise similar to basal leaves, obtriangular, distally 3-cleft and pinnatifid, (1-)1.5-5(-5.5) cm, bases clasping, ±connate, margins incised on distal 1/3, apex acuminate-acute to obtuse, surfaces glabrous or puberulous to villous or pilose;
segments primarily 3, subulate or narrowly obtriangular;
lateral segments unlobed or 2-3x-parted and -lobed; ultimate lobes 3-10 mm wide.
1-flowered, villous to pilose;
involucral bracts 3, 1-tiered, simple, dissimilar to basal leaves, lanceolate to ovate, 0.53-1.8 × 0.27-0.95 cm, sessile, calyx-like, closely subtending flowers, bases distinct, cuneate, margins entire, apex acute, strongly villous to glabrescent.
sepals 5-9, white or yellow, or abaxially white, tinged blue, white, or blue, and adaxially white, ovate to rhombic or obovate, 8-20 × 5-13(-15) mm, glabrous;
stamens 40-80(-100).
sepals 5-12, white to pink or bluish, ovate to obovate, 6-14.6 × 2.2-5.8 mm, glabrous;
petals absent;
stamens 10-30.
body ellipsoid to ovate, flat, 5-9 × (3-)4-6 mm, winged, glabrous;
beak curved to recurved, 0.8-1.5 mm, glabrous.
body narrowly ovoid, 3.5-4.7 × 1.3-1.9 mm, slightly winged, hispid, gradually tapering;
beak indistinct.
spheric;
pedicel (4.5-)5-14(-18.5) cm.
spheric;
pedicel 0.1-0.4 cm.
=14.
=14.
Anemone narcissiflora
Anemone acutiloba
Varieties ca. 12 (3 in the flora).
J. Jalas (1988), W. Greuter (1989), W. Greuter et al. (1989), J. Jalas and J. Suominen (1989), and T. G. Tutin et al. (1993+, vol. 1) have recently used the name Anemone narcissifolia Linnaeus because they considered Anemone narcissiflora an illegitimate name. B. E. Dutton et al. (1995) recently proposed to conserve the orthography of Anemone narcissiflora, and the authors of this treatment ollow 14A.1 of the Code, which recommends following "existing usage as far as possible pending the General Committee's recommendation on the proposal" (W. Greuter et al. 1994).
The taxonomy of this highly variable, widespread species is extremely controversial. The conservative approach taken here most closely approximates S.L. Welsh's (1974) treatment for the Alaskan varieties. E. Hultén's discussion (1941-1950, vol. 4, pp. 735-736) of local races and the variation within this species, however, clearly illustrates the need for a thorough biosystematic investigation. Recognition of about 12 varieties is in light of S. V. Juzepczuk's (1970) work; however, he elevated local races to specific rank in his treatment.
The Aleuts used Anemone narcissiflora (no varieties specified) medicinally as an antihemorrhagic (D. E. Moerman 1986).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
In North America, Anemone acutiloba and A. americana are sufficiently well differentiated to enable the distinction of the two species. Some intermediates do occur but it is uncertain as to whether thes intermediates or hybrids. The fact that the two species are highly sympatric and still maintain their differences implies that they should still be recognized as distinctive species (see G.L. Stebbins 1993).
The two North American species formerly placed in Hepatica are closely allied to the Eurasian Anemone hepatica Linnaeus [=Hepatica nobilis Miller, Hepatica hepatica (Linnaeus) Karst]. Among European collections, plants approach either A. acutiloba or A. americana in leaf morphology, but some intermediates are found (J. A. Steyermark and C. S. Steyermark 1960). North American plants differ from A. hepatica in having narrower sepals, larger involucral bracts, and shorter and less pubescent scapes. Further research, including a comparative study of breeding systems, is needed to clarify the relationship between Anemone hepatica, A. acutiloba, and A. americana. Pending such work, the eastern North American hepaticas are here recognized as distinct species.
D. E. Moerman (1986) lists Hepatica acutiloba as one of the plants used medicinally by Native Americans in the treatment of abdominal pains, poor digestion, and constipation, as a wash for "twisted mouth or crossed eyes," and as a gynecological aid.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
1. Lateral segments of involucral bracts lobed; petiole of basal leaves 15–20 cm; inflorescences umbels; stamens 60–80(–100). | var. villosissima |
1. Lateral segments of involucral bracts unlobed; petiole of basal leaves (2–)4–10 cm; inflorescences umbels or flowers solitary; stamens 40–60. | → 2 |
2. Sepals (when fresh) white or abaxially white or blue and adaxially white (drying yellow); body of achenes 6–9 mm. | var. monantha |
2. Sepals (when fresh) yellow; body of achenes ca. 5 mm. | var. zephyra |
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