Anemone hortensis, commonly called broad-leaved anemone, is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant with an underground rhizome, in buttercup family Ranunculaceae. The genus name comes from the Greek ἄνεμος (ánemos, meaning "wind"), as an ancient legend tells that the flowers open only when the wind blows. The species name hortensis (from Latin hortus, meaning "vegetable garden") refers to the easiness with which this plant can be cultivated. Description Anemone hortensis reaches on average of height. The stem is erect and pubescent. The basal leaves have a petiole long and are palmate or “hand-shaped”, with 3-5 toothed lobes. The solitary flowers are fragrant and range in color from white-bluish or mauve to red-purple, with a diameter of . They have 12-20 lanceolate and acute petals, with numerous bluish or violet stamens and blue anthers. The flowering period extends from March through May. This plant is pollinated by wind or dispersed by animals. Gallery Distribution This plant is endemic to Mediterranean basin and it is distributed in France, Italy, Greece, Albania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, North Macedonia Montenegro and Turkey Habitat These plants grow at an altitude of above sea level (rarely up to ). They are found in woods, vineyards, lawns and bushes. References "Botanica. The Illustrated AZ of over 10000 garden plants and how to cultivate them", p. 92. Könemann, 2004. Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia - Edagricole – 1982 – Vol. I, pag. 293 External links Biolib hortensis Flora of Europe Flora of Italy Plants described in 1753 Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus