A walk in the forest in spring, your gaze wanders around and suddenly it stops on the beautiful flowers of a plant that covers the entire area. This may be the wood anemone. It says here: picking is forbidden!
Is the wood anemone protected?
The wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa) is protected in Germany and must therefore not be collected, dug up or cut off. Violations can result in high fines. In addition, all parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and animals.
How you can recognize the wood anemone
Large populations of wood anemones can be found in different locations throughout Europe. The natural occurrence of this spring bloomer is moist meadows, forests and floodplains. For many years it remains where it was once sown or planted. Its rhizome survives underground.
The wood anemone likes to colonize its location in large groups and covers entire areas of forest floor. Since there is not much green sprouting during its vegetation and, above all, flowering time and most other plants bloom at a different time, it is unmistakable. It blooms between the beginning of March and the end of April.
External characteristics of this plant
The wood anemone usually grows between 15 and 20 cm high, depending on the species and the lighting conditions at its location. It forms 2 to 3 split-pinnate leaves. They are deep green in color and die in June.
A flower forms on a long stem above the foliage. It can be either white, pink, purple or bluish in color. Their appearance is vaguely reminiscent of the flowers of the dog rose. The flowers are an average of 2 cm wide, are star-shaped and consist of, among other things, 6 petals. When it rains, the flower heads lean towards the ground.
Do not collect, dig up or even eat
Since the wood anemone is protected in Germany, it cannot be collected. You should also refrain from digging up or cutting off the flowers. If you get caught, you could face hefty fines.
Beware of coming into close contact with the Anemone nemorosa:
- all parts of the plant are poisonous to humans and animals
- Toxins are only harmless after drying (because they are converted)
- Symptoms after skin contact: skin irritation, redness
- Symptoms after consumption: digestive problems, kidney pain, damage to the nervous system
Tips & Tricks
Plant the wood anemone in your own garden. It reproduces via its rhizomes and likes to self-sow. Over the years, a wide carpet of flower stars emerges every spring
