Anemones are common throughout the globe. There are more than 150 species of these plants in nature. But today the conversation will be about anemone buttercup - a yellow decorative honey plant.
Plant classification
Buttercup anemone has several equivalent names. Often this plant is called buttercup anemone or buttercup anemone. In Latin, the name sounds like Anémone ranunculoídes. Anemones belong to the class of dicotyledons. The next step in the classification is to determine the order of the plant. In this case, we are talking about the Ranunculaceae order, which includes the Ranunculaceae family. Species anemone buttercup is a representative of the vast genus Anemones.
The most suitable place
Most often, this type of plant can be found in deciduous forests. Such an ecosystem is most suitable for this species. Somewhat less often, flower buttercups are found in mixed spruce-deciduous forests. If desired, a buttercup anemone can be planted in the garden. This shade-loving plant will serve as a wonderful spring decoration.
Species distribution
The zone of distribution of anemone rhutanica covers not only the European part of Russia, but also the Ciscaucasia, that is, the flat territories north of the foothills of the Caucasus, Southern Siberia, Central Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia Minor and even the British Isles. True, in the latter case, the territory cannot be called a natural range, buttercup anemone in the British Isles was resettled by chance, but it took root here perfectly.
Description of the plant. Sprout
The sprout of anemone of the buttercup appears very early. This happens at the very beginning of spring, when the earth is still dozing under a layer of last year's grass and snow. Each sprout is a stalk with three underdeveloped leaves on the top. Initially, the stem is crocheted, and the leaves folded together are directed downward. Interestingly, the sprout begins to break through not with the upper end and not with leaves, but with a hook-shaped bend, this helps to overcome the layer of forest litter.
Roots and leaves
Yellow anemone ranunculus refers to perennial herbaceous rhizome plants. On average, its height is about 30 cm. Rhizome is located superficially. It is a creeping type, so it can be quite long. The root is distinct, fleshy and resilient. Outwardly, it looks like a brown knot with special constrictions. At the fault, the white interior is clearly visible, in which starch and other nutrients are stored. From the superficial rhizome several thin roots go down.
Anemone ranunculus does not have basal leaves. But sometimes she gives one basal leaf of a palmate-dissected form on a long petiole. Like all anemones, the buttercup has 3 leaves on the top of a thin stem. They are directed in different directions and are located in a horizontal plane, forming a green tier. Each cut sheet is divided into separate lobes and has a short petiole.
Flowers and fruits
People often confuse garden buttercups, photos of which can be found in special magazines, and buttercup anemone. In fact, these flowers are very similar. You can notice the differences only with a very careful examination. So, the buttercup flower has a double perianth with sepals and petals. Anemone is the owner of a simple perianth, consisting only of petals, and sepals are absent. So the name "flower buttercups" to anemone can be used only for fun.
As you already understood, the flowers of this type of anemone have a rich yellow-golden color. Their diameter is about 3 cm. Petals in a bud of 5 pieces, peduncles always solitary. On one plant, they can be from 2 to 5 units. The flower appears in mid-April and lasts up to 20 days. Then the petals fall to the ground. A cluster of small fruits remains on the peduncle.
During the flowering of anemone buttercup, there are almost no other plants. It refers to primroses. It is light in the forest at this time; nothing obscures it. Garden buttercups, photos of which we have already discussed, bloom much later - closer to June. So confusing these species is quite difficult.
After flowering, the leaves of anemone buttercup gradually turn yellow. By the end of spring, the forest dresses with leaves, other plants gradually appear and the anemone becomes dark. The yellowed buttercup anemone lies on the ground and dries. In early summer, there is no trace of it, but the superficial rhizome is alive. It will wait for next spring to please the world with a modest yellow flower. For a special life schedule, anemone is on the list of oak ephemeroids.
What are oak ephemeroids?
We are talking about a special environmental group, which includes herbaceous perennials that have too short a growing season. The development of ephemeroids can occur at different periods. For example, the following types of ephemeroids are typical for spring: tulips, crocuses, snowdrops, anemones, crested goose and goose onions. And in the autumn there passes fleeting vegetation of colchicum.
Perennial ephemeroids are often confused with annual ephemera. The vegetation time of the ephemera is also fleeting. But in the first case, the plant completely dies off the ground part after the vegetation, but the underground organs (rhizome or bulb) are preserved. In the second case, the plant bears fruit and dies completely.
Honey qualities
Buttercup anemone has good melliferous qualities. As soon as it blooms in the forest, hardworking bees can begin the laborious process. Bright yellow flowers attract insects, but, unfortunately, quickly fade. This type of plants is characterized by group growth, so they are easy to find in forest glades. In bad weather and at night, the flowers close to preserve their valuable contents.
How to plant buttercup anemone
Planting buttercups, or rather buttercup anemones, seeds require certain skills. Seeds are difficult to collect, and after collection it is necessary to sow immediately. Otherwise, they will lose germination. It is better to sow in boxes with a loose nutrient mixture of soils. Then bury the boxes and cover with mulch. Next year, about 25% of the seeds will sprout. Seedlings need to be moistened well, and they will begin to bloom for 2-3 years.
It is much easier to do vegetative propagation. The long branching rhizome is easily divided into separate fragments. They are dug shallowly with earth, and soon a kidney is laid on each, and additional roots are formed. By the end of summer, all the organs necessary for the independent existence of buttercup anemone will be formed. Next spring, the plant will give an early flower. Over the course of several years, anemone will grow and form dense shrubs that need to be weeded and mulched occasionally. In the spring you can make complex fertilizers. Thus, in the garden you can get your own primroses.