Scientific Name: Anemone quinquefolia
Origin: North America
Current Status: Wildflower in North America, a close relative of Anemone nemorosa (European)
Identification
North American Wood Anemones are often confused with Wood Sorrel. The easy difference is that Wood Sorrel has clover-like leaves.
No Petals, All Sepals
While most flowers have a combination of sepals and petals, the wild anemone has only sepals and no petals at all.
Slow Growing Roots
Wood anemones spread through their root systems rather than seeds and large patches of flowers indicate a very old forest.
Native to the North
Wood anemones are native to North America and grow from Canada through Alabama.
Shady Tree Sights
Wild anemones love to grow by trees because the leaves they drop fertilize the rich soil around where they grow.
Long Grow Times
Wood or wild anemones can take up to 5 years to flower from seed.
Additional Fun Facts:
- Wood or wild anemones refer to the same plant in New England (typically).
- It is extremely difficult to transplant these wildflowers into a garden setting.
- When wild anemones bloom in old forests it attracts hundreds of pollinators at a time (quite a sight!).
