This flower, which announces the arrival of spring, can be seen as early as April in Norway. It is normally found in shady deciduous woodlands, sometimes in grassy roadsides too.

Each stem has a white star-shaped flower, often flushed with pink or purple. As in all anemones, the flower has no real petals, but instead sports modified sepals (usually 6 or 7) which assume the colouring and characteristics of petals.

The flower can be up to 2.5cm (1 inch) in diameter, although younger specimen are smaller, and the whole plant can grow up to 25cm (8 inches) tall, although 10-12cm (3-4 inches) is more common (at least in Norway).

Most of the year this plant is hidden from view. But a fast-growing underground root system allows it to grow, and carry out its annual life-cycle in the few weeks of spring, before the shade from the trees above becomes too dense.

It does not require fertilization by insects and has no scent. What it lacks in perfume, however, it makes up for in prettiness – a carpet of wood anemones in the spring is a sight to behold (see pic above).

The plant contains poisonous chemicals that are toxic to animals (including humans). Although herbalists no longer use the plant medicinally, various parts of the wood anemone used to be recommended for a variety of complaints, including headaches, gout and rheumatism.

The wood anemone is a member of the buttercup family. It is also known under the name of windflower and smell fox, and is called hvitveis in Norwegian.