Bush Anemone

Scientific Name: 

Carpenteria californica

Physical Appearance: 

• Shrub 

• White colored flowers with exposed vibrant yellow stamens 

• Fruit produces seeds in a leathery, cone-shaped capsule 

• Red bark 

• Leaves are thick, glossy, and evergreen 

When Does It Grow: 

• Flowers in spring, but really comes into full bloom mid summer

Preferred Environment: 

• Can be found in chaparral, but it normally found in woodlands and foothills 

Medicinal Uses: 

• Anemone has been shown to contain several saponins that exhibit antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, sedative, and anti-cancer properties 

  • If you are interested in reading more about the relationship between anemone and cancer, click here

Role in the Ecosystem: 

• Due to its fragrance and large flowers, bees and butterflies love this stuff 

Random: 

• What is an anemone? 

  • The name “anemone” is derived from Greek word anemoi meaning “wind,” so and anemone flower would be a windflower

  • There are different ways to interpret this, but one reason I thought was compelling was about the structure of these flowers. Most anemone are delicate flowers with flimsy petals that could easily be blown open and exposed by wind