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Native Plant Society of Texas

Carolina Anemone

Anemone caroliniana

Other common name(s):

Carolina Thimbleweed, Southern Thimbleweed

Family:

Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

East Central Texas Plains, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Texas Blackland Prairies, Western Gulf Coastal Plain
Bastrop Lost Pines, Floodplains and Low Terraces2, Northern Post Oak Savanna, Northern Prairie Outliers, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie
Flatwoods, Tertiary Uplands

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

0.5
to
.5
ft.

Spread

1
to
2.5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Gravelly, Calcareous, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Blue

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Bees

Maintenance

Prairie anemone is best grown in a bright, sunny areas. In a prairie habitat it often is found in areas that are occasionally burned or that have been heavily grazed.

Comments

Blooms February-May. The stem arises from a tuber, Leaves are basal and deeply three-lobed. Flowers are terminal on stems. They have numerous white to purple, petal-like sepals surrounding many yellow stamens. The fruit is an achene, a small, dry, single-seeded fruit.

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ANCA9. 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Anemone+caroliniana&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=20606&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=18437#null, 6) https://www.uaex.uada.edu/yard-garden/resource-library/plant-week/Anemone-carolinana-Carolina-Prairie-Anemone-03-15-2019.aspx, 7) https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/anemone_caroliniana.shtml, 8) https://prairieecologist.com/tag/anemone-caroliniana/, 9) https://meristemhorticulture.com/planted/anemone-caroliniana#:~:text=And%2C%20they%20dance%20and%20sway,(ten%2Dpetal%20anemone)., 10) https://warcapps.usgs.gov/PlantID/Species/Details/2794

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Choose a well-drained location with partial shade. Amend the soil with compost to enhance drainage and fertility. Sowing the seeds: Scatter seeds sparingly on the soil surface and lightly press them in. No need to bury them deep, as they need light to germinate. Patience, young gardener: Germination typically occurs in spring. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Thin out overcrowded seedlings to provide ample space for growth. For best results, sow seeds in late fall or early winter, allowing them to benefit from natural stratification (a period of cold temperatures that stimulates germination). 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-anemone-caroliniana/ 2) https://greg.app/carolina-anemone-overview/#:~:text=%E2%9C%82%EF%B8%8F%20Division%20of%20Established%20Plants,older%20plants%2C%20promoting%20healthier%20blooms.
Bud Division Carefully dig up the clump, ensuring you get a good root system. Using a sharp, clean knife or garden spade, divide the clump into smaller sections, each with healthy roots and shoots. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were growing previously. Water thoroughly and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Divide established clumps in early spring or fall when the plant is dormant. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-anemone-caroliniana/ 2) https://greg.app/carolina-anemone-overview/#:~:text=%E2%9C%82%EF%B8%8F%20Division%20of%20Established%20Plants,older%20plants%2C%20promoting%20healthier%20blooms.

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason