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Anemone quinquefolia
Anemone quinquefolia L.
Wood Anemone, Nightcaps, Windflower
Ranunculaceae (Buttercup Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: ANQU
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A low, delicate plant with a whorl of 3 stalked, deeply cut leaves and a solitary, stalked white flower. Slender stalk has basal leaves and a whorl of 3- to 5-parted leaves at its apex. A single white or pink flower arises above the leaf whorl. Solitary divided leaves also arise from the rootstock. Disappears after blooming.
This is an early spring wildflower which often forms sizable stands on woodland borders. Since Anemones are usually slender-stalked and tremble in the breeze, they have been called "Wind Flowers."
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Fruit Type: Achene
Size Notes: Up to about 1 foot tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Green , BrownBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: AB , MB , NB , NS , ON , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Northern Ont. & e. Man., s. to MD, KY & e. NE; also mts. to GA
Native Habitat: Woodland, Forest Edge
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Damp, rich, mucky soils
Conditions Comments: Forms colonies and makes a ground cover for open woods.
Benefit
Warning: POISONOUS PARTS: All parts when fresh. Toxic only if eaten in large quantities. Symptoms include inflammation and blistering upon contact with fresh sap and irritation of the mouth, vomiting and diarrhea following ingestion. (Poisonous Plants of N.C.)Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Propagation
Description: Propagate by root cuttings, rootstock divisions or seed. Seeds ripen quickly and should be sown immediately after ripening. Seedlings will produce flowers in 3-4 years.Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU | FAC | FAC | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE
Bibliography
Bibref 1294 - The Midwestern Native Garden: Native Alternatives to Nonnative Flowers and Plants An Illustrated Guide (2011) Adelman, Charlotte and Schwartz, Bernard L.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 26 - Minnesota Wildflowers: a field guide to the flora of Minnesota (2009)
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Anemone quinquefolia in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Anemone quinquefolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Anemone quinquefolia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-04Research By: TWC Staff