Wood anemone Anemonoides nemorosa
Table of Contents
The delicate, sparkling, star shaped flowers of the wood anemone create a stunning display during early spring, as they carpet woodland floors. This lovely wildflower is pollinated by various insects and is a big favourite of hoverflies.
Plant family: Ranunculaceae
Aliases: Lady’s nightcap, old woman’s nest, smell fox, thimbleweed, wind flower, wood crowfoot
Flowering period: March – May
Flower colour: White
Preferred soil type: Moist
Habitat: Woodland, hedgerows
Status: Common
General information
An early-spring flowering, perennial wildflower with lovely white star shaped flowers. Keep an eye out for it in mature woodland, shaded riverbanks and roadside verges during the spring time. It’s not uncommon to see it growing with other spring wildflowers, such as bluebells and greater stitchwort. A vast carpet of these wildflowers can indicate an ancient woodland.
This low growing plant is a member of the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae) of plants and grows to a height of 20-25cm and prefers moist soils. The flowers open in sunlight and each flower head follows the path of the sun during the day, on cloudy, dull days the flowers won’t open. Unlike many woodland wildflowers, they don’t spread via seed, but by underground runners known as rhizomes.
Identification
Flowers: The white flowers are solitary, approximately 20mm in diameter, with 6 or 7 petals (on rare occasions, there may be 5 or 8 petals). The centre of the flower is dominated by many visible, yellow anthers.
Leaves: The leaves are typical of other plants in the Ranunculaceae family. They are basal, palmately divided into 3 lobes and further divided into pointed – toothed segments.
Value for wildlife
Wood anemone provides a valuable source of pollen for honey bees and bumble bees. It is also a favourite plant of hoverflies, which help pollinate it.
Uses for wood anemone
This plant is toxic to humans.
Wood anemone images
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