Eriocapitella hupehensis (Chinese Anemone)

Native from Nepal through parts of China to Taiwan, this herbaceous perennial forms clumps of dark green, three-parted leaves with toothed edges. In temperate Northern Hemisphere regions, slender, branching flower stems rise above the foliage in late summer and autumn. The cup-shaped flowers have five to seven broad, rounded petal-like segments, ranging from white and pale pink to rose-mauve. A green button-like center is surrounded by a ring of yellow stamens. Spreading roots allow established plants to form colonies. Widely cultivated, the species has been introduced beyond its native range. The leaves and stems can cause mild stomach upset if eaten, and contact may irritate the skin. Photographed in Colombia.