Anemone biflora is a species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae. It is native to the Middle East and Central Asia, ranging from Iraq and Iran to western Afghanistan and extending into Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Xinjiang. It is a tuberous geophyte that grows primarily in temperate environments.

Description

Anemone biflora is a perennial herb arising from a tuber, an adaptation that allows it to survive seasonal extremes such as cold winters or summer drought. It produces one or more flowers borne above a whorl of divided leaves. As in other species of Anemone, the flowers lack true petals and instead have petal-like sepals. Considerable variation in leaf division and floral morphology occurs across its range.

Taxonomy

The species was first described by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle in 1817 in Regni Vegetabilis Systema Naturale. The name is recorded in the International Plant Names Index with the Life Sciences Identifier (LSID).

Infraspecific taxa

Three varieties are currently recognized:

  • Anemone biflora var. biflora
  • Anemone biflora var. eranthioides (Regel) S.Ziman
  • Anemone biflora var. gortschakowii (Kar. & Kir.) Sinno
  • Anemone biflora var. petiolulosa (Juz.) S.Ziman

Synonyms

The following synonyms have been reported in major taxonomic databases:

  • Anemone biflora var. bifoliata DC.
  • Anemone biflora var. trifoliata DC.
  • Anemone coronaria var. biflora (DC.) Finet & Gagnep.
  • Anemone eranthoides Regel
  • Anemone subvillosa Pau

Distribution and habitat

The species is widely distributed across southwestern and Central Asia, occurring from Iraq and Iran eastward to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and western China (Xinjiang). It inhabits temperate regions, often in montane, steppe, or open rocky habitats.