Woodland Stars

A return visit to Park Wood to see the Wood Anemones open in the midday sun.  These stars come out during the day. They follow the sun as it shines between the bare trees to reach the woodland floor.  A common sight across many woods in Somerset, Park Wood is my favourite.

Wood Anemones – Park Wood, Somerset, UK. ID 810_3682

Park Wood

A small coppiced wood near Wells in Somerset with a woodland floor covered in Wood Anemones (Anemone nemorosa).

Wood Anemones – Park Wood, Somerset, UK. ID 810_3826

Wood Anemones – Park Wood, Somerset, UK. ID 810_3577

Wood Anemones – Park Wood, Somerset, UK. ID 810_3766

Wood Anemones – Park Wood, Somerset, UK. ID 810_3770

The Stars

The flowers need to bloom and set seed before the trees shade out the sun in summer.  They turn and open to face the sun but strangely spread across the woodland using their roots.  This slow process creates dense carpets of flowers that indicate this is an ancient woodland.

Wood Anemones – Park Wood, Somerset, UK. ID 810_3739

Wood Anemones – Park Wood, Somerset, UK. ID 810_3682

Wood Anemones – Park Wood, Somerset, UK. ID 810_3522