Prairie Crocus (Pulsatilla nuttalliana)

Family Ranunculaceae

Rarity Status

Common.

Origin

Native to North America.

Synonyms

Old syn. Anemone patens, or Pulsatilla patens. Also known as Pasqueflower, American Pasqueflower, Cut-leaf Pasqueflower, Prairie Pasqueflower, or Western Pasqueflower. Pasqueflower is used in the States due to its tendency to bloom around Easter. Historically, before the 1920s, it was called prairie smoke, hartshorn-plant, gosling, or simply crocus.

Identification

This spring-blooming perennial forb stands from 5 cm to 40 cm tall and is born from a caudex base, often with several stems. It has long, spreading hairs on the leaves and stems that can be sparse to dense. The bases are often covered with old brownish growth from the previous year.

Several long-stalked basal leaves usually don’t appear until after the emergence of the first flowers. These leaves are typically three times divided, with the middle segment being three-cleft and the lateral ones tending to be more two-cleft. These divisions are cleft again into pointed, linear segments 1 to 2 mm wide. These blades contain sparse to densely spreading hairs on both sides and down the stalks. There are also involucre leaves, but these are sessile.

The flowers are solitary, with pale blue to purple sepals and a hairy back.

Blooming Period

P. nuttalliana tends to bloom shortly after snowmelt, typically between late March to early May. It is rarely found blooming in summer. Occasionally, some blooms may be found in the autumn if there has been adequate late-season moisture to encourage growth and blooming. Its bloom period is greatly affected by altitude.

Similar Species

Prairie Crocus does not have a similar species that it can be confused with.

However, species of the Family Iridaceae (Iris Family) called Crocuses (Genus Crocus) may be confused with this North American native. Fortunately, all species of Genus Crocus are native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. They have been brought to North America to be planted in gardens or indoor ornamentals as a beautiful splash of colour.

Where to Find This Plant

The prairie crocus is primarily found in the boreal region’s open grasslands, in well-drained areas of the prairies, and fescue grasslands like those in the foothills ecoregion. These plants prefer deep, well-drained soils and sometimes sandy soils, especially on hillsides. They can also be found in the dry open forests of montane areas and higher elevations of pine forest communities.

Value to Livestock & Wildlife

The forage value of this species is poor, and it tends to be an indicator of heavy grazing with its increase in population in grassland areas especially.  It is largely unpalatable for most of the season, however it’s not uncommon to find some flowers that have been nipped off by passing deer. In addition, plants appear to die down for the rest of the season, which is usually attributed to grazing pressure. In areas with very little to no grazing, most P. nuttalliana plants remain persistent, with old growth remaining with their re-emergence the following spring. Their persistence is primarily vegetative, as their flowering times are, as mentioned, typically in the spring or occasionally in autumn. Under heavy grazing, its numbers will increase, and it is also adapted to fire.

Suitability/Use for Reclamation

Typically unsuitable.

Toxic, Edible, Medicinal and Cultural Uses

P. nuttalliana is considered “mildly toxic” with the toxin protoanemonin but is especially toxic if eaten fresh and in large quantities. Symptoms include inflammation and blistering upon contact with fresh sap, mouth irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea following ingestion, tremors, and collapse.

However, reported poisonings are rare, with one such report of sheep being poisoned when nibbling on young plants’ flowers. The plants can also create a case of “hairballs” when sheep consume the seed heads.

A poultice of crushed leaves helps alleviate irritated skin. In small quantities, supposedly acts as an aphrodisiac.

Other Fascinating Notes

Anemos comes from the Greek word “wind,” and patens refers to “spreading,” this likely hints at the plant’s ability for its seeds to spread via the wind, as well as the species’ spreading growth habit and the sepals opening towards the bright sun.

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