©Jim Higham
Wood anemone ©Paul Lane
A spring delight, the wood anemone grows in dappled shade in ancient woodlands. Traditional management, such as coppicing, can help such flowers by opening up the woodland floor to sunlight.
Species information
About
The Wood anemone is a pretty spring flower of ancient woodlands, and is also planted in graveyards, parks and gardens. Its white flowers bloom between March and May, before the canopy becomes too dense, but its seeds are mostly infertile and it spreads slowly through the growth of its roots.How to identify
An easily recognisable flower, the wood anemone is a low-growing plant, with six to seven large, white or purple-streaked 'petals' (which are actually its sepals), surrounding a cluster of distinctive yellow anthers. Its leaves are deeply lobed and it has a thin, red stem.Distribution
Widespread.Habitats
Did you know?
The wood anemone is named after the Greek wind god, Anemos, who sent his namesakes, the anemones, in early spring to herald his coming. This legend gives the flower its other common name of 'Windflower'.The Wildlife Trusts manage many woodland nature reserves sympathetically for the benefit of all kinds of wildlife. A mix of coppicing, scrub-cutting, ride maintenance and non-intervention all help woodland wildlife to thrive.
Guy Edwardes/2020VISION
Record your wood anemone sightings
Devon Biodiversity Records Centre (DBRC) are calling on wildlife enthusiasts to record sightings of this star-shaped white flower to provide crucial data for DBRC’s Ancient Woodland Inventory work. Many fragments of ancient woodland in the Devon landscape are currently unprotected due to a lack of ecological data. By recording brief details of your wood anemone sightings between now and May, you can help conservation of Devon woodlands and hedges.