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Anemone quinquefolia L.

Wood anemone

KingdomPlantaePlants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
SubkingdomTracheobiontaVascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
DivisionMagnoliophytaFlowering plants, also known as angiosperms
ClassMagnoliopsidaDicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
SubclassMagnoliidaeIncludes magnolias, nutmeg, bay laurel, cinnamon, avocado, black pepper, and many others
OrderRanunculalesBasal (evolved earlier) eudicots, also called “true dicots”
FamilyRanunculaceaeButtercup family
GenusAnemoneFrom Greek anemos, “wind”
Speciesquinquefolia“Five-leaved”

About plant names...

Wood anemone is a North American native found in woodland habitats. Anemone is a corruption of the Semitic name for Adonis, whose blood was said to have brought forth the red-flowered anemone of the orient. Or, in a perfect example of how the origins of names are sometimes lost in the mists of history, Anemone could be from the Greek ánemos plus ōnē meaning "daughter of the wind," a flower that can only open at the wind's bidding. Either way, quinquefolia means "five-leaved," and wood anemones are part of the family of buttercups.

Identification: Wood anemone, which spreads quickly via its root system, is often found covering large areas of woodland floors. It reaches heights of 1¾-12″ (5-30 cm) in the spring, and dies back to its root system later in the season. Leaves are in groups of five or sometimes three, arranged evenly around the stem. Each leaf is about twice as long as it is wide, up to 2″ (5 cm) long. Flowers are white or tinged with purple, often nodding, up to ¾″ (1.9 cm) across, with five petals (actually tepals).

Edibility: I couldn't find any definite information, but most members of the buttercup family are poisonous Skull & Crossbones, so wood anemone should be assumed poisonous as well.

Online References:

Ontario Wildflowers

Earl J.S. Rook's Flora, Fauna, Earth, and Sky ... The Natural History of the Northwoods

Plants for a Future, a resource and information centre for edible and otherwise useful plants

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

BorealForest.org

CalPhotos

EFloras (Anemone quinquefolia var. quinquefolia)

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

5/9/2016 · Wonder Brook Park, Kennebunk Lan, Kennebunk, Maine

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

4/17/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

4/23/2021 · Otter Brook Preserve, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

5/17/2021 · Bijhouwer Forest, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

5/7/2023 · Otter Brook Preserve, Harpswell, Maine

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

5/7/2013 · J. Harry Rich Dirt Road, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 6 × 9″ (16 × 23 cm)

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

4/28/2016 · Old Long Loop, Beaver Brook Stat, Hollis, New Hamp­shire

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

4/23/2010 · Nashua Rail Trail, Ayer, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

4/28/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 14 × 9″ (35 × 23 cm) ID is uncertain

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

5/4/2023 · Tarbox Preserve, Topsham, Maine

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

4/28/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Pepperell, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 20 cm) ID is uncertain

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

5/9/2016 · Wonder Brook Park, Kennebunk Lan, Kennebunk, Maine

 

Anemone quinquefolia description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 11 Jul 2023.

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Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

5/18/2021 · Cathance River Nature Preserve, Topsham, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

5/26/2018 · Burge’s Pond, Westford, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

5/12/2014 · Big Bear Mountain, Brookline, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 10 cm)

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

The purple leaves are uncommon. · 4/30/2013 · Acton Arboretum, Acton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 11 × 7″ (26 × 17 cm)

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

5/7/2023 · Otter Brook Preserve, Harpswell, Maine

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

5/7/2013 · J. Harry Rich Dirt Road, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

4/29/2013 · Beaver Brook Assn Conservation Lands, Rte. 130, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 7 × 11″ (17 × 26 cm)

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

4/22/2016 · Wildflower Trail, Beaver Brook Conservation Area, Hollis, New Hamp­shire · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

4/22/2010 · Stan and Connie’s Yard, Falmouth, Maine · By Constance B. Kent

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

5/9/2016 · Wonder Brook Park, Kennebunk Lan, Kennebunk, Maine

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

5/12/2023 · Long Reach Preserve, Harpswell, Maine

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

5/7/2021 · Long Reach Preserve, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm)

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

4/17/2012 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)

Anemone quinquefolia (wood anemone)

5/4/2012 · Willard Brook State Park, Blue Trail, Ashby, Mass­a­chu­setts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)

Range:

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