Wood anemone

Wood anemone is a herbaceous perennial plant with bowl-shaped white or pink flowers. It grows in large swathes that sometimes cover the entire forest floor. It is one of the first plants to bloom in spring, around Mother's Day, when the leaves of trees do not yet shade the forest.

Wood anemone thrives well in nutrient-rich, sunny mixed forests. The species is common in Europe and its distribution range covers almost the entire continent.

The anemone’s achenes contains an oil that ants like. By transporting these seeds, ants contribute to the spread of the plant. The whole plant is mildly toxic to humans. Its leaves has a musky smell, which is why the plant is also called “smell fox”.

Wood anemone is a common species in Finnish forests. It also thrives in human-shaped environments and on forest edges.