# Anemonoides blanda

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Species of flowering plant in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae

Anemonoides blanda Scientific classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Embryophytes Clade: Tracheophytes Clade: Spermatophytes Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Order: Ranunculales Family: Ranunculaceae Genus: Anemonoides Species: A. blanda Binomial name Anemonoides blanda (Schott & Kotschy) Synonyms[1] Anemone apennina subsp. blanda (Schott & Kotschy) Hayek Anemonoides blanda (Schott & Kotschy) Holub Anemone apennina Boiss. Anemone blanda atrocoerulea Tubergen Anemone blanda scythinica Tubergen

Flowers in cultivation

***Anemonoides blanda***, [syn.](/source/Synonym_(taxonomy)) ***Anemone blanda***, the **Balkan anemone**,[2] **Grecian windflower**, or **winter windflower**, is a [species](/source/Species) of [flowering plant](/source/Flowering_plant) in the [family](/source/Family_(taxonomy)) Ranunculaceae. The species is [native](/source/Native_plant) to [southeastern Europe](/source/Southeastern_Europe) and the [Middle East](/source/Middle_East).[1][3] The [specific epithet](/source/Botanical_name#Binary_name) *blanda* means "mild" or "charming".[4] The genus name is derived from the Greek word *anemos*, or wind.[5]

## Description

An [herbaceous](/source/Herbaceous_plant) [tuberous](/source/Tuber) [perennial](/source/Perennial_plant), it grows up to 10–15 cm (4–6 in) tall.[6] It is valued for its daisy-like flowers over a fernlike foliage,[6] which appear in early spring, a time when little else is in flower. The plants can also easily naturalize.[6] The flowers are an intense shade of purple blue, but are also available[*[clarification needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Please_clarify)*] in shades of pink and white.

### Leaves

The green leaves are finely divided and arranged in a whorled and alternate pattern. They do not contain hair like structures.[7] The leaves are deeply cut.[8] The plant has compound leaves that are grown in basal arrangement. The edges of the blades of leaves contain teeth.[9]

### Roots and stems

The stem of the plant is nonaromatic[7] and wiry.[10] It has little root growth so its normal for them to only produce few roots.[11] The perennial is tuberous-rooted.[5]

### Fruits and flowers

Close up of flower

The flowers are found in various colors and are radially symmetrical. The flower contains about seven or more sepals and petals.[9] The flowers have an attractive, striking appearance with dull centers and smooth, satiny, vibrant petals.[11] The flowers come in colors like white, yellow-green, red, or purple, and more. They are shaped like cups, with several stamens.[12] The plant contains small fruits, frequently including plumose tails.[7] The fruits of this plant are dry and do not split open after they ripe. They are about 1.3 to 3 mm in size.[9]

### Seeds and bulbs

The Grecian windflower grows from bulb-like tubers.[11] The tubers appear to be black in color and are non-uniformly shaped, small, wrinkled pellets. The tubers do not contain a thin, paper-like sheath. Viable tubers have a firm texture. The minimum size of a tuber is 5 cm (2 in), but they can be larger in size.[10] The seeds have low germination rates, but rates can be increased using stratification.[13]

## Distribution

The native range of *Anemonoides blanda* extends from [southeastern Europe](/source/Southeastern_Europe), through [Turkey](/source/Turkey) and [Lebanon](/source/Lebanon), to western [Syria](/source/Syria) in the [Middle East](/source/Middle_East). The species has been introduced into [Germany](/source/Germany) and elsewhere.[1] There are numerous naturalized populations in [Canada](/source/Canada) and the [United States](/source/United_States).[14]

## Cultivation

*Anemonoides blanda* should be planted in the autumn in partially shady areas, and in moist soil. It can also grow in full sun if the soil stays moist.[6] It grows in any well-drained soil which dries out in summer; hence it is often used for underplanting [deciduous](/source/Deciduous) trees which provide the necessary conditions. It rapidly colonizes any favored location. The plant is deciduous, meaning the flowers and leaves die in the early summer.[15] The flowers attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators.[10] This plant[16] and its cultivar 'White Splendour',[17] have gained the [Royal Horticultural Society](/source/Royal_Horticultural_Society)'s [Award of Garden Merit](/source/Award_of_Garden_Merit).

## Medicinal and other uses

[Herbalists](/source/Herbalists) in the [Middle Ages](/source/Middle_Ages) used *A. blanda* as treatment for [gout](/source/Gout) and headaches. Due to their toxicity, they are no longer used as medications. The purple petals of the plant were used for [dyeing](/source/Dyeing) purposes by boiling them to produce a light green color.[18]

## Toxicity

It is considered to be poisonous if ingested in large quantities, and causes pain and irritation in the mouth. The plant can cause [contact dermatitis](/source/Contact_dermatitis) by touching of the following poisonous parts of the plant: bark, flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, stems, and seeds. Some other symptoms of being poisoned are inflammation, blistering from contact with fresh sap, vomiting, and diarrhea.[7]

## Ecology

Bees and other insects eat the nectar and pollen.[19][*[better source needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Questionable_sources)*]

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-powo_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-powo_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-powo_1-2) ["*Anemonoides blanda* (Schott & Kotschy) Holub"](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:708741-1). *Plants of the World Online*. [Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew](/source/Royal_Botanic_Gardens%2C_Kew). Retrieved 9 August 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BSBI07_2-0)** [*BSBI List 2007*](https://web.archive.org/web/20150626140254/http://www.bsbi.org.uk/BSBIList2007.xls) (xls). [Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland](/source/Botanical_Society_of_Britain_and_Ireland). Archived from [the original](https://bsbi.org/download/3542/) (xls) on 2015-06-26. Retrieved 2014-10-17.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-TPL_kew-2638070_3-0)** ["*Anemone blanda*"](http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2638070), *The Plant List*, [archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190928071748/http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2638070) from the original on 2019-09-28, retrieved 2014-10-23

1. **[^](#cite_ref-RHSLG_4-0)** Harrison, Lorraine (2012). *RHS Latin for gardeners*. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9781845337315](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781845337315).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-mobotpf_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-mobotpf_5-1) ["Anemone blanda - Plant Finder"](https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=286103&isprofile=0&). *www.missouribotanicalgarden.org*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241012182729/https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=286103&isprofile=0&) from the original on 2024-10-12. Retrieved 2019-12-11.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_6-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:0_6-3) ["Anemone blanda (Grecian Windflower)"](https://www.gardenia.net/plant-variety/anemone-blanda-grecian-windflower). *Gardenia.net*. Retrieved 2019-09-25.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_7-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:1_7-3) ["*Anemonoides blanda* (Anemones) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox"](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/anemonoides-blanda/). *plants.ces.ncsu.edu*. Retrieved 2019-12-03.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Anemone blanda"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190928060222/https://www.seasonalgardening.co.uk/bulbs/anemone-blanda.asp). *www.seasonalgardening.co.uk*. Archived from [the original](https://www.seasonalgardening.co.uk/bulbs/anemone-blanda.asp) on 2019-09-28. Retrieved 2019-12-11.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:4_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:4_9-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:4_9-2) ["Anemone blanda (Greek windflower): Go Botany"](https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/anemone/blanda/). *gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org*. Retrieved 2019-12-10.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:3_10-2) ["Anemone blanda Hort Tips"](https://www.vanengelen.com/hanemoneblanda.html). *www.vanengelen.com*. Retrieved 2019-12-11.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:5_11-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:5_11-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:5_11-2) ["All About Anemones"](https://www.longfield-gardens.com/article/all-about-anemones). *www.longfield-gardens.com*. Retrieved 2019-12-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Anemonoides blanda (Anemones) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox"](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/anemonoides-blanda/). *plants.ces.ncsu.edu*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191203020052/https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/anemonoides-blanda/) from the original on 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2019-12-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Clark, Joan. ["Anemone: planting, care and cultivation of the flower"](https://floristics.info/en/garden/3005-anemone-planting-care-and-cultivation-of-the-flower.html). *floristics.info*. Retrieved 2019-12-10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-BONAP_14-0)** Kartesz, John T. (2014). ["*Anemone blanda*"](https://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Anemone%20blanda.png). *County-level distribution map from the North American Plant Atlas (NAPA)*. Biota of North America Program (BONAP). Retrieved 28 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Anemone blanda"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190928060222/https://www.seasonalgardening.co.uk/bulbs/anemone-blanda.asp). *www.seasonalgardening.co.uk*. Archived from [the original](https://www.seasonalgardening.co.uk/bulbs/anemone-blanda.asp) on 2019-09-28. Retrieved 2019-12-11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["RHS Plant Selector - *Anemone blanda*"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/25512/Anemone-blanda/Details). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200218204540/https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/25512/Anemone-blanda/Details) from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 14 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** ["RHS Plantfinder - *Anemone blanda* 'White Splendour'"](https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/90635/Anemone-blanda-White-Splendour/Details). Royal Horticultural Society. 2017. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200218204541/https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/90635/Anemone-blanda-White-Splendour/Details) from the original on 18 February 2020. Retrieved 18 February 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Beal, Susan Klatz (2017-02-14). ["Anemones! All About Anemone Bulbs"](https://www.farmergracy.co.uk/blogs/farmer-gracys-blog/all-about-anemone-bulbs). *farmergracy.co.uk*. Noordwijkerhout, NL: Farmer Gracy Ltd. Retrieved 2019-12-10.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Anemone blanda"](https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/anemone-blanda/). *BBC Gardeners' World Magazine*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191211023804/https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/anemone-blanda/) from the original on 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2019-12-11.

Taxon identifiers Anemonoides blanda Wikidata: Q55813523 Wikispecies: Anemonoides blanda CoL: DXPW GBIF: 3922048 IPNI: 708741-1 Plant List: kew-2638857 POWO: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:708741-1 Tropicos: 27101220 WFO: wfo-0000535963 Anemone blanda Wikidata: Q805035 BOLD: 435922 CoL: DX7F EoL: 483338 EPPO: ANMBL EUNIS: 177345 GBIF: 3033242 GRIN: 409998 iNaturalist: 57515 IPNI: 708267-1 IRMNG: 10214200 ITIS: 506830 MichiganFlora: 2884 MoBotPF: 286103 NatureServe: 2.150965 NBN: NBNSYS0000014044 NCBI: 22869 Observation.org: 6426 Open Tree of Life: 385036 PalDat: Anemone_blanda PFI: 9595 Plant List: kew-2638070 PLANTS: ANBL2 POWO: urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:708267-1 RHS: 25512 Tropicos: 27101218 VASCAN: 8418 WFO: wfo-0000535130

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Anemonoides blanda](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anemonoides_blanda) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anemonoides_blanda?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.