Prairie Crocus

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.