The blue anemone is a perennial flower in the Ranunculaceae family, with 6 to 7 vibrant purple flowers arranged in a whorl and dense green leaves, the leaves are palmate and divided into 3 lobes. Anemonoides apennia typically grows on the floor of ancient and managed woodlands, with activities such as coppicing providing it space to grow, one of the key characteristics of the blue anemone, is its cluster of yellow anthers. The leaves grown by the purple anemone can form a kind of underbrush in which grow beneath the flowers blocking light below them and reducing competition. This is especially common in managed woodlands where the flowers are able to spread quite easily.
Various Medicinal components can be derived from the anemone plants, including triterpenoid saponins (a form of glycosides). Which have been theorised to aid in cancer removal, certain additional compounds that can be derived from the purple anemone flower have been shown antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects. The blue anemone flower has also been used for hundreds of years In natural medicine and home remedies but has also been noted to contain toxic compounds and irritants that can be released if the tissue is bruised chewed or ingested, causing irritation in the local area.

Blue anemones have long been a feature in folklore and mythology, in Greek mythology the anemones sprung from the tears of Aphrodite after she learned of the death of her lover, throughout history the blue anemone has been linked with themes of security during times of uncertainty, as well as a source of protection and guidance