Image of European thimbleweed

Description:

Slo.: podlesna vetrnica - Habitat: light, predominantly hard wood forest, next to a small stream, humid place in half shade; thick, sandy clay ground, ground coverage includes Crocus vernus, Petasites albus, Petasites paradoxus, Mercuralis perennis, Primula vulgaris, Chrysosplenium alternifolius, Lathraea squamaria, Galanthus nivalis, Oxalis accetosella, Rubus sp., etc.; partly protected from direct rain by tree canopies; average precipitations ~ 3.000 mm/year, average temperature 8-10 deg C, elevation 465 m (1.500 feet), alpine phytogeographical region. - Substratum: soil. - Comments: This early spring flower is very common in Slovenia. On some places in light woods it reaches almost 100% ground coverage with thousands and thousands of flowers, a really wonderful display after winter season. One can find it from low level plains up to almost subalpine elevations; however it always requires quite moist ground. Anemone nemorosa grows in Europe only. Beautiful but poisonous plant! - Ref.: (1) M.A. Fischer, W.Adler, K.Oswald, Exkursionsflora Oesterreich Liechtenstein, Suedtirol, LO Landesmuseen, Linz, Austria (2005), p 310. (2) A. Martinči et all., Mala Flora Slovenije, Tehnična Zaloba Slovenije (2007), p 133. (3) H. Haeupler, T. Muer, Bildatlas der Farn- und Bluetenpflazen Deutschlands, Ulmer (2000), p 61. (4) K.Lauber and G.Wagner, Flora Helvetica, 5. Auflage, Haupt (2012), p 112.