Anemone caroliniana Walter

Species Nomenclature and Classification

Anemone caroliniana, commonly known as the Carolina anemone, is a species of herbaceous flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae.

Plant Height and Rhizome Characteristics

Individuals grow 10 (occasionally as short as 7) to 40 cm tall from short, tuber-like rhizomes that measure 10 to 30 mm long.

Stem Leaf Features

The stem leaves of this plant lack petioles.

Flowering Period and Flower Count Per Stem

It flowers from early to mid spring, producing one flower per stem.

Flower Sepal Coloration

The flower is made up of 10 to 20 sepals, which are sometimes referred to as tepals; these are most often white or soft rose colored, but can also be purple.

Sepal Dimensions

Sepals are 10 to 22 mm long and 2 to 5 mm wide.

Fruit Head Characteristics

Fruits form in heads that are ovoid to subcylindric in shape, and measure 17 to 25 mm long.

Native Distribution Range

This species is native to central and southeastern United States, occurring primarily in the Great Plains and the Mississippi Valley, with scattered populations across the Southeast from Tennessee and Mississippi to the Carolinas.

Local Extinction Status

While it was once recorded in Vigo County, Indiana, it is now locally extinct in the state.

Habitat Preferences

It grows in dry prairies, barrens, and open rocky woods.