WILD, OR NATIVE FLOWERS. ^j 



Wood Anemone — A7iemo7ie Jiemorosa, (Lin.) 



"Within the wood, 

 Whose young and half transparent leaves, 

 Scarce cast a shade ; gay circles of Anemones, 

 Danced on their stalks." — Bryant. 



The classical name Anemone is derived from a Greek word, which 

 signifies the wind, because it was thought that the flower opened out its 

 blossoms only when the wind was blowing. Whatever the habits of the 

 Anemone of the Grecian Isles may be, assuredly in their native haunts 

 in this country, the blossoms open alike in windy weather or in calm ; 

 in shade or in sunshine. It is more likely that the wind acting uf)on 

 the downy seeds of some species and dispersing them abroad, has been 

 the origin of the idea, and has given birth to the popular name which 

 poets have made familiar to the ear with many sweet lines. Byrant 

 who is the American poet of Nature, for he seems to revel in all that is 

 fair among the flowers and streams and rocks and forest shades, has 

 also given the name of "Wind-flower" to the blue Hepatica. 



This pretty delicate species loves the moderate shade of groves and 

 thickets ; it is often found in open pinelands of second growth, and 

 evidently prefers a light and somewhat sandy soil to any other ; with 

 glimpses of sunshine stealing down upon it. 



The Wood Anemone is from four to nine inches in height, but 

 occasionally taller ; the five rounded sepals which form the flower are 

 white, tinged with a purplish-red or dull pink on the outside. The leaves 

 are three — parted, divided again into three, toothed and sharply cut, 

 and somewhat coarse in texture ; the three upper stem leaves form an 

 involucre about midway between the root and the flower-cup. 



Our Wood Anemone is a cheerful little flower, gladdening us with 

 its blossoms early in the month of May. It is very abundant in the 

 neighbourhood of Toronto, on the grassy banks and piny-dells at Dover 

 Court, and elsewhere. 



"There thickly strewn in woodland bowers, 

 Anemones their stars unfold." 



A taller species. Anemone dichotoma, with very beautiful white 

 starry flowers, is found on gravelly banks by river-sides and under the 

 shade of shrubs in most parts of Canada, as is, also, the downy seeded 

 species known as "Thimble-weed" Anemone cylindrica from the 

 cylindrical heads of fruit. This latter is not very attractive for beauty 

 of colour ; the flower is greenish-white, small, two of the sepals beino- 

 shorter and less conspicuous than the others. The plant is from one 

 to two feet high ; the leaves of the cut and pointed involucre are 



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