Although I’ve lived in Mississippi for a long time off and on, there are many of our state’s wildflowers that I still haven’t seen. There are so many beautiful surprises in the woods, lawns, and roadsides of Mississippi. We just have to look for them.
As I was walking through a nearby neighborhood in March, I stumbled across a patch of small white flowers in the yard of one of the houses. This was a new discovery for me and I went online to my local gardening group to get it identified.
Windflower or Carolina Anemone
Meet the windflower, also known as Carolina anemone or prairie anemone. It’s scientific name is Anemone caroliniana and it is in the buttercup family (Ranunculacea). It blooms as early as February and may continue flowering until April. The flowers have 10 to 20 sepals and is borne on a purplish stem that may turn green in bright sun.
Native Range
The windflower is native to the southeastern and central United States from Texas east to North Carolina and as far north as Minnesota. It can be found growing along the edges of woods, along roadsides, and in grassy areas. It is a perennial.
Interesting Fact
This flower actually has no petals – it is the sepals that provide the components that make up the flower. While the one I cam across has white sepals, the flower can also be blue or purple-colored.
Wildlife Value
There isn’t a highly valued wildlife plant although white-tailed deer may eat the leaves. Bees and butterflies will feed on the nectar of the plant and birds may eat the seeds.
Photos
Click on a photo below to view the full-sized image
