How to ID Anemones in
Texas, OK, and southern NM
Compiled by R. S. Pfau�https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/pfau_tarleton/20891
Be sure to get pics of at least three features: (1) the stem-like stalk (including bracts) showing the region above and below the bract (to see if stalk below bract is pubescent or smooth), (2) the basal leaves (to see the pattern of division), (3) the flower. In western half of TX, also note if bracts are two-tiered, with two or more flowers growing from a single scape.
some leaves deeply divided multiple times
Suzette Rogers
scape smooth below bract (pubescent above)
Anemone caroliniana
Suzette Rogers
basal leaves
bracts�(also called involucres)
Jennifer Stockemer
scape
Anemone caroliniana
sepals (tepals; anemones lack petals)
scape pubescent below bract
Anemone berlandieri
rhizomes
Anemone berlandieri: All basal leaves lobed, dissected differently from bracts [leaves not typically deeply divided, lobed instead–unless infected with fungus]; bracts borne above middle of scape [ stem-like stalk] at anthesis [the period during which a flower is fully open and functional; this character is not accurate before/after anthesis]. Scape pubescent below bracts (varies as scape lengthens – longer scapes appear less fuzzy). Styles very short. Sepal color varies: white, pink, purple. No rhizomes. Despite common name, sepal number can exceed 10. Found across most of TX.
Anemone caroliniana: One or more basal leaves finely divided similarly to bracts [but early winter leaves are lobed like A. berlandieri]; bracts borne below middle of scape (often near ground) at anthesis [caution: the scape of other species elongates rapidly during anthesis and they can start to look like A. caroliniana in this regard]. Scape smooth below bracts [and pubescent above]. Styles very long. Sepals appear doubled (often twice the number of A. berlandieri–but this varies in A. berlandieri). Sepal color from white to deep purple. Rhizomes present. Found primarily in eastern half of TX, but reported from eastern TX panhandle (although these western populations may be an undescribed species–research on this is in progress by R. S. Pfau). Occurs only in sandy soils.
Anemone okennonii: Known also as A. tuberosa var. texana. Often with two-tiered bracts. Leaves 2-3 ternate [three leaflets each divided 2-3 more times]. Basal and bract leaves dissimilar--bract leaves narrow (see slide 4). 7-11 sepals 3-4.5 mm wide. Sepal color white. Often with two-tiered bracts, with two or more flowers growing from a single scape. Distribution not well documented (appears to range from Val Verde Co. near Rio Grande north to perhaps Garza Co. and southeastern NM). http://plants.jstor.org/stable/10.5555/al.ap.flora.fna003_anemone_okennonii �http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=101733
1
3
2
Anemone edwardsiana
Alison Northup
joshua_tx
three broad leaflets, not greatly divided
all 3 species on this page often have two or more flowers growing from single scape (bracts two-tiered)
Anemone tuberosa: Bract leaves broad and highly divided–very similar to basal leaves (see slide 4). Often with two-tiered bracts. Styles pinkish in color. Sepal color varies from white to pink. In TX, found only near El Paso.
http://www.efloras.org/object_page.aspx?object_id=5538&flora_id=1
Anemone tuberosa
Descriptions modified largely from http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=101733, with additions from Shinners & Mahler's Flora of North Central Texas and personal observations.
Images provided (with permission) by iNaturalist observers Alison Northup, Suzette Rogers, Jennifer Stockemer, joshua_tx, and lonnyholmes.
Anemone edwardsiana: Often with two-tiered bracts, with two or more flowers growing from a single scape. Bract leaves wide. Basal leaves usually 1-ternate [three broad leaflets, not greatly divided] and 8-20 sepals 2-3 mm wide. Sepal color white. Can be difficult to distinguish from A. berlandieri unless two-tiered bracts are visible. Found only in limestone outcroppings of southern Edwards Plateau of TX.
Anemone okennonii
three leaflets, each deeply divided
bract leaves very narrow
bract leaves wide
Anemone caroliniana
Anemone berlandieri
A. caroliniana vs. A. berlandieri
Floral details
Anemone okennonii
Anemone edwardsiana
Anemone tuberosa vs. A. okennonii
Bract details
Anemone tuberosa
Anemone okennonii
Undescribed species: Anemone 'pilosa' nom. prov.
-Pubescent below and above bracts, including lower surface of bracts and sepals (a)
-Bracts similar to A. berlandieri; single flower emerging from scape (a)
-"Doubled" sepals (b)
-Leaves highly divided (except early winter leaves) (c)
-Short styles (d)
-Sepals usually white, but purple variant exists
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Map from Ehrendorfer et al. (2009)
“Taxonomic revision, phylogenetics and transcontinental distribution of Anemone section Anemone (Ranunculaceae)”
This map (like most published maps, unfortunately) is a rough approximation. Especially regarding A. edwardsiana and A. okennonii. -RP
Anemone phenology (records from Texas only, as of December 2022)
A. berlandieri
A. caroliniana
A. edwardsiana
A. okennonii
A. tuberosa