# tall thimbleweed (*Anemone virginiana*) Tall thimbleweed is a pretty flower that grows tall and has soft, white petals. It loves to bloom in sunny spots and can be found in fields and forests. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 9 - **Habitat:** Fields and forests ![tall thimbleweed](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Anemone_virginiana_var._virginiana_%281%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Eric Hunt, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anemone_virginiana_var._virginiana_%281%29.jpg) ## Appearance The tall thimbleweed has distinct white to greenish-white flowers, which are actually sepals, not petals. These give way to prominent, egg-shaped, fuzzy green seed heads that resemble a sewing thimble. Its stems are often hairy, supporting deeply lobed, palm-shaped leaves. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Ranunculales - **Family:** Ranunculaceae - **Genus:** Anemone ## Interesting facts - After flowering, a fuzzy green thimble full of seeds forms, which turns silvery-white! - Its genus name, \*Anemone\*, comes from a Greek word meaning "windflower"! - Native Americans used its strong fibers to make twine and string! - The white "petals" are actually sepals, modified leaves protecting the true flower parts! ## Special abilities - **Fluffy Seed Parachutes:** Tall thimbleweed develops fuzzy seed heads that help wind carry its seeds far away to spread. - **Toxic Shield:** Tall thimbleweed contains irritating compounds that deter many herbivores from eating its foliage. - **Underground Network:** Tall thimbleweed develops rhizomes that allow it to spread vegetatively and survive harsh conditions. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 60-120 cm - **Spread:** 30-60 cm - **Flower Size:** 2-3 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer - **Edible:** No - **Toxicity:** Mild - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** Common eastern bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — gathers nectar from its flowers. - **Symbiotic with:** Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus (*Rhizophagus irregularis*) — exchanges nutrients with its roots. ## Traits - [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch flowers without asking an adult first. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify tall thimbleweed? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is tall thimbleweed? 60-120 cm ### How wide does tall thimbleweed spread? 30-60 cm ### How big are the flowers on tall thimbleweed? 2-3 cm ### When does tall thimbleweed bloom? Summer ### Is tall thimbleweed edible? No ### Is tall thimbleweed toxic? Mild ### What is tall thimbleweed's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Shaw Nature Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/shaw-nature-reserve) — Missouri, US · Botanical Garden - [William O'Brien State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/william-obrien-state-park) — Minnesota, US · State Park - [Kitchell Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kitchell-park) — Illinois, US · Park - [Lost Cove Cave](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lost-cove-cave) — Tennessee, US · Nature Reserve - [Martin State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/martin-state-forest) — Indiana, US · Forest - [Mount Nord Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-nord-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District [View all places to see tall thimbleweed](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/tall-thimbleweed) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Tall Thimbleweed: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tall-thimbleweed)