Prairie Crocus
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Wildflowers
Banff National Park, Bow Valley
The prairie crocus (Pulsatilla patens), also known as pasque flower or cutleaf anemone, is an early-blooming perennial in the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae). It is one of the first wildflowers of spring in Banff National Park; often emerging through snow in April and May.
Identification
Low, hairy perennial (10–30 cm); deeply divided, fern-like leaves; solitary, six-petaled purple to lavender flowers; feathery seed heads in summer. Not a true crocus; named for its crocus-like appearance. Hairy stems and leaves protect against cold.
Habitat
Montane (1,350–1,650 m); dry grasslands, open forests, and south-facing slopes. Often the first flower in valley floors and meadows after snowmelt.
Viewing
Look in dry, open areas along the Bow Valley Parkway and Lake Louise meadows in late April to early May. Do not pick; flowers are short-lived and sensitive to disturbance.