This rhizomatous native perennial, usually found in large colonies, grows from 1-2 feet tall.  A whorl of 3 large, stalkless leaves lies at the tip of the stem (A); leaves are deeply divided into 3-5 (usually 3) lobes and the ends of each lobe are further divided into toothed structures with pointed tips (D).  The showy white flowers up to 1 1/2 inches across are at the end of a long stalk rising from the center of the whorl of leaves (B,D).  They have 5 pure white petal-like sepals and a golden yellow center made up of many small pollen-bearing anthers (C).  Flowers follow the sun during the day and close at night.

Canada Anemone, like its two relatives Tall Anemone (Anemone virginiana) and Candle Anemone (Anemone cylindrica), has deeply divided leaves and a single flower at the end of a thin flower stalk.  Unlike Canada Anemone they are not colonial, occurring as single plants in drier upland habitats. Also, flowers are smaller, leaves have short stalks, and seed heads are oval or cylindrical.