Anemone nemorosa, Wood Anemone

Common Name: Wood Anemone

Anemone nemorosa, commonly known as 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 (six feet in a hundred years!), relying on the growth of its root structure rather than the spread of its seed.

It is often a good indicator of ancient woodland. Despite its penchant for wooded places, the wood anemone actually dislikes too much shade and will only open fully in bright sunshine. Its flowering time is thus well suited to the early part of the year, before the trees' foliage grows too thick and light is blotted out.

An easily recognisable flower, Wood Anemone is low-growing, with usually 6-7 large, white or purple-streaked 'petals' (which are actually its sepals), deeply lobed leaves and a thin, red stem. Common and found throughout the UK.

https://www.uknature.co.uk is a website dedicated to showing the immense diversity of UK nature and wildlife. Our vast range of habitats, from lowland arable to snow covered mountains, from storm-ravaged coastlines to peaceful inland freshwater lakes and rivers, from dry, sandy heaths to deciduous and coniferous forests, all these habitats contribute to the abundance of UK nature. We have wild birds in huge numbers either residing or visiting our shores (597 recorded species as at July 2013) and we must also not forget the humble back garden with its grass lawns, flower beds filled with nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees, all designed to attract huge numbers of insects such as bees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies; and finally the small ponds which provide safe havens for frogs, toads, newts and even slow worms and grass snakes. www.uknature.co.uk is the showcase for my personal passion, photographing uknature in all its glory. I sincerely hope you all enjoy the fruits of my labours.