Cylindrical Thimbleweed (Anemone cylindrica)

 

Cylindrical Thimbleweed 

 

Cylindrical thimbleweed (Anemone cylindrica) is a native, perennial wildflower in Wisconsin. It grows one to three feet tall. The flowers are greenish white and about 3/4 inch across. Each flower has five petal-like sepals and numerous yellow stamens surrounding a green, cone-like center. The leaves are palmately compound. Each leaflet can be up to four inches long and is deeply lobed, hairy, and wedge shaped at the base. The basal leaves are larger and have long stalks, while the stem leaves are smaller.

This wildflower prefers open habitats such as dry prairies, woodland margins, roadsides, and savannas, thriving in sandy or gritty soils where it’s unlikely to compete with taller, more aggressive species. It tolerates drought well and plays a modest but meaningful role in native ecosystems. Small bees and hoverflies are drawn to its pollen, while the unique seed heads contribute visual interest in the colder months and aid in wind dispersal.

Cylindrical thimbleweed contains protoanemonin, a compound common to the Ranunculaceae family that helps deter herbivores and inhibit the germination of surrounding plants. Though not especially competitive, this subtle chemical advantage reinforces its ability to hold space in sparse environments. For gardeners and restorationists, it’s an ideal candidate for dry native plant gardens. Its seeds require cold stratification to break dormancy, and while the plant isn’t aggressive, it does spread slowly by rhizomes. (July)

I take care of a couple of acres of remnant ecosystem in Northern Illinois that has quite a bit of this plant present. I consider the location of the thimbleweed to be a helpful indicator of what is savanna and what is mesic prairie. Both communities are present, according to the intact soil profiles. The thimbleweed says savanna.