This species is often confused with the wood anemone (Anemone quinquefolia) or the false rue anemone (Enemion biternatum), both of which grow during the spring in similar shady woodland habitats. The rue anemone, however, has more petals on its flowers (usually around six to nine), and the three-lobed leaves are arranged in rounded, smooth whorls. The wood anemone, on the other hand, has distinctly serrated, tooth-like foliage.