Anemone narcissiflora
Sp. Pl. 1: 542. 1753.
Aerial shoots 7-60 cm, from caudices, caudices ascending to vertical. Basal leaves 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 1-3×-parted and -lobed; ultimate lobes 3-10 mm wide. Inflorescences 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 2-3×-parted and -lobed; ultimate lobes 3-10 mm wide. Flowers: 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). Heads of achenes spheric; pedicel (4.5-)5-14(-18.5) cm. Achenes: body ellipsoid to ovate, flat, 5-9 × (3-)4-6 mm, winged, glabrous; beak curved to recurved, 0.8-1.5 mm, glabrous. 2n=14.
Distribution
B.C., N.W.T., Yukon, Alaska, Colo., Wyo., Eurasia.
Discussion
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).
Selected References
None.
Lower Taxa
Key
| 1 | Lateral segments of involucral bracts lobed; petiole of basal leaves 15–20 cm; inflorescences umbels; stamens 60–80(–100). | Anemone narcissiflora 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. | Anemone narcissiflora var. monantha |
| 2 | Sepals (when fresh) yellow; body of achenes ca. 5 mm. | Anemone narcissiflora var. zephyra |