Anemone, genus of plants comprising about 120 species, distributed chiefly in the North Temperate Zone. About 25 species occur in North America. The plants of this genus are perennial herbs and are sometimes called windflowers because many species grow in windward places. Most flower early in the spring. One species, the American wood anemone, is found in eastern North America. It has white flowers tinged with pink or crimson, and it blossoms in April or May. The plant is similar to the European wood anemone. Another species, the pasqueflower, is found in chalky pastures in some parts of England and also blossoms in April or May. The American pasqueflower, which resembles the European species, is the state flower of South Dakota. The poppy anemone is a widely cultivated American species and is a favorite in gardens. Red and blue flowers have been introduced. The Japanese anemone is an autumn-blooming species that is also extensively cultivated.
Scientific classification: Anemones belong to the family Ranunculaceae. The American wood anemone is classified as Anemone quinquefolia, the European wood anemone as Anemone nemorosa, the pasqueflower as Aneomone pulsatilla or Pulsatilla vulgaris, the American pasqueflower as Anemone patens, the poppy anemone as Anemone coronaria, and the Japanese anemone as Anemone japonica.