Wood Anemones

(Anemone nemorosa)

Credit Richard Paul

Creative Commons - credit Karbohut

The wood anemone, which is native to Europe, derives it’s name from Greek mythology where the Anemoi were the minor wind gods who were sometimes thought of as horses in the stables of the main wind god - Aeolus.

Boreus was the north wind, Zephyrus was the west wind, Notus was the south wind, Eurus was the east wind.

Wood anemones are also know as Windflowers.

Wood anemones are amongst the first flowers to appear in spring. They are flowers of ancient woodland, especially of deciduous woodland. The white (sometimes with purple streaks) petals (6 or 7 in number) are actually sepals - the structures which normally protect the flower bud. The flower contains yellow anthers which produce the pollen and anemones are particularly popular with hoverflies, which pollinate it, but mostly the seeds are infertile and the plants spreads through its spreading roots. This means that anemones spread very slowly. They are toxic to humans and distasteful to many animals.

It is interesting to note that they are common on the slopes of Schiehallion to a great height indicating that Schiehallion was once largely wooded.

Wood anemones like to be in the light and flower before the leaves of deciduous trees appear in spring. They only open their flowers in sunlight.

The Wood Anemone is superficially similar to Wood Sorrel which also has white flowers that appear later in the year and has clover like leaves.

Creative Commons - credit Gail Hampshire