Anemone fanninii, the giant wild anemone

These Anemone fanninii flowers were seen at Spookberg farm near Louterwater in January.

The plant resembles A. caffra but has branched inflorescence stalks and leaves that are not fully developed when flowering.

The giant wild anemone as this grassland and fynbos plant is commonly known, features to such an extent in traditional medicine that its place in nature is considered threatened. Both leaves and roots are harvested.

The plant is not easy to cultivate but some do it, also abroad (Pooley, 1998; iNaturalist; http://pza.sanbi.org).