Pulsatilla Flower

A pasque flower (or pasqueflower) is a deciduous perennial that is found in short clumps in meadows and prairies of North America and Eurasia. The genus Pulsatilla includes about 30 species, many of which are valued for their finely-dissected leaves, solitary bell-shaped flowers, and plumed seed heads.

The anthers are bright yellow and the purple bell consists of sepals. In its tallgrass prairie habitat, it is one of the first plants to bloom in the spring, often before the late winter snows have thawed. This genus is sometimes included as part of genus Anemone as subgenus Pulsatilla, and is also commonly known as the prairie crocus, wind flower, Easter Flower and meadow anemone. The pasque flower is the official state flower of South Dakota and the provincial flower of Manitoba. Pasque refers to Easter (Passover) as the flower blooms around that time of year.