Anemone quinquefolia

Anemone quinquefolia wood anemone

Synonyms: Anemonoides quinquefolia
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Wood anemone is a delicate perennial herb that thrives in humus-rich soil, flourishing in woodlands, thickets, clearings, and naturalized gardens, where it gradually spreads by rhizomes. In mid-spring, this small, graceful plant blankets the forest floor with its charming five petal-like sepals, ranging from pure white to soft pink. Its fleeting bloom fades as the season progresses, leaving behind a lush green ground cover, enhancing the beauty of the woodland landscape.

The stems are generally upright and short forming above whorled dark green leaves. These leaves are actually bracts, called 'involucral leaves' and are arranged in a whorl of deeply cut, 3- or 5-parted leaves about midway on the stem. The plant may also have basal leaves which look quite similar to the involucral leaves.

Anemone quinquefolia has high-severity poison characteristics. Like many members of the buttercup family, it contains protoanemonin, a toxic compound that can cause skin irritation and gastrointestinal distress if ingested.

Habitat & Range

Common in moist, open woods and thickets. Prefers partial to deep shade and moist, humus-rich soil.

Present throughout the state but less in the north.

Range: From Alabama in the south to North Dakota in the west.

Wetland codes

EMP:	FACU
NCNE:	FACU

Phenology

Flowers April to May.

Characteristics

Inflorescence single flower, abt 1″ wide, on a long stalk rising directly from the root, above a whorl of 3 leaf-like bracts.

Flowers solitary, 4 to 9 (usually 5) whitish petal-like sepals ovate to obovate; numerous stamens with creamy-white anthers;

Leaves involucral(bracteal) leaves whorled, compound, petiolate, smooth to slightly hairy; basal leaves similar to involucral and maybe absent; all leaves on long petioles

leaflets 3 to 5, sessile or short-petiolate; 1½″ long; terminal leaflets prominently cleft, incised or lobed; lateral leaflets are two-parted or divided

Stem slender, upright, slightly hairy

Fruit oval-shaped, beaked achene often with plumose tails; beak straight or curved

Height 4-10 inches

Plant Codes

S-rank: S5 (Secure)
G-rank: G5 (Secure)

Faunal Associations

Primarily by small bees and flies, but flowers close on cloudy days and at night to protect reproductive structures.

Due to the toxicity of the plant, it is resistant to deer and other mammals.

Seeds are carried by wind or small animals, though it primarily spreads via underground rhizomes.

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