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Japanese anemone
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Japanese anemone

Anemone hupehensis, Anemone hybrida

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
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Basic Details

NameJapanese anemone
DescriptionElegant late-season perennial featuring graceful, saucer-shaped flowers on tall, wiry stems that sway in the breeze, earning the name 'windflower.' Blooms appear in late summer through fall when most perennials have finished, providing essential color and nectar. Flowers in shades of pink, rose, or white, often with contrasting golden stamens. Despite the name, native to China, not Japan. Long-lived and low-maintenance once established, spreading slowly to form attractive colonies in shade gardens.
FamilyRanunculaceae
GenusEriocapitella
TribeAnemoneae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ⚥ K0 P5-20 A∞ G∞

Ebracteate (no bracts), radially symmetrical (actinomorphic), bisexual, no sepals, 5-20 petal-like sepals (tepals, no true petals), numerous stamens, numerous free carpels (apocarpous) with superior ovaries

Features
  • Name 'Anemone' from Greek 'anemos' (wind), as flowers sway on slender stems. 'Japanese Anemone' misnomer—actually native to China, introduced to Japan, then to West via Japan. Recently reclassified from Anemone to Eriocapitella genus. About 15 species. Cultivated in China for centuries
  • Flowers 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) across, saucer or cup-shaped with 5-20 petal-like sepals (no true petals). Colors include white, pink, rose, and mauve, often with contrasting yellow stamens in center. Single, semi-double, or double forms. Blooms late summer through fall (August-October). Flowers held on wiry stems 2-4 feet above foliage
  • Herbaceous perennial that blooms late summer to fall, filling gap when most perennials finished. Dies back in winter. Long-lived (30+ years). Spreads slowly by rhizomes to form colonies. Takes 2-3 years to establish, then vigorous. Attractive, grape-like foliage spring through fall
  • Grows 2-5 feet (60-150 cm) tall in bloom, foliage 12-18 inches. Spread of 2-3 feet, can spread wider over time. Lifespan of 30+ years. Propagated from root cuttings, division (difficult, resents disturbance), or seed (slow, variable). Best left undisturbed
  • Native to central and western China. A. hupehensis from Hubei province. Introduced to Japan centuries ago, then to Europe in 1840s. Now naturalized in some temperate regions. Found in woodland edges, meadows, and mountainous areas
  • Prefers partial shade to full shade (tolerates sun in cool climates). Needs consistently moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil. Water regularly; doesn't tolerate drought. Mulch to retain moisture. Takes 2-3 years to establish—don't disturb. Hardy zones 4-8
  • Excellent for shade gardens, woodland gardens, and borders. Blooms when few other perennials flower. Good cut flower (lasts 5-7 days). Attracts bees and butterflies. Deer and rabbit resistant. Low maintenance once established. Combines beautifully with hostas, ferns, and other shade plants. Symbolizes forsaken love

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificAnemone hupehensis, Anemone hybrida
English (Alternate)Windflowers, Japanese Windflowers, Chinese Anemones, Thimbleflowers
Hindiरत्नज्योति फूल (Ratnajyoti phool), पवन फूल (Pawan phool)
Tamilகடல் சாமந்தி (Kadal Samandhi), விண்மீன் மலர் (vinnmeen malar)
Teluguజపనీస్ అనిమోన్ (Japanese Anemon)
Malayalamജാപ്പനീസ് അനെമോൺ (Jāppanīs anemōn), കാറ്റാടിപ്പൂവ് (Kāṭṭāṭippūv)
Kannadaಜಪಾನೀಸ್ ಅನೆಮೋನ್ (Japanees Anemon), ಗಾಳಿ ಹೂವು (Gaali Huuvu)
Sanskritवातपुष्पम् (Vātapuṣpam)
Bengaliজাপানি অ্যানিমোন (Japanese Anemone), বায়ুপরাগী পুষ্পবিশেষ (bayuporagi pushpabishesh)
Frenchanémone du Japon, anémone japonaise
RussianЯпонский анемон (Yaponskiy anemon), Японский ветреница (Yaponskiy vetrenitsa)
Spanishanémona japonesa
GermanJapan-Anemone, Windröschen

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.