Wind Flower.Anemone nemorosa.Wood Anemone.
Found in thickets that yet are open to the sun, in early May or perhaps late in April.
The single stem, about 6 inches in height, is round and smooth and green, showing purple at the foot. It bears a whorl of leaves about midway its height, and a single flower upon its summit.
The compound leaf has from 8 to 9 wedge-shaped leaflets, that are sightly creased on their midribs, and irregularly notched on the edges; the texture is delicately thin, and the color a lovely green. Three leaves on their short reddish stems are placed in a whorl.
The flower is like a shallow cup formed of 5 oval, petal-like calyx-parts that curve like shells; it is of a very thin texture and slightly veined, and its color is pure white, often rosy tinted on the outside; the many dainty stamens are a pale straw color, and the pistils are gathered into a light green center.
A more charming plant could hardly be imagined,—stem, leaf, and blossom are alike perfect in growth and harmony of hue. Its bud nods, but the fully open flower lifts itself lightly atop the slender swaying stem. The Wind Flower is social in habit, and gathers in lovely fellowship with its kind upon a favorable hillside.