The silvery hair that covers the leaves and the large delicately colored flower make this a rather unusual looking plant. The color ranges from white to pale pink to lavender. Keep watching these plants as they develop. The seeds have a fluffy attachment that gives the plant a plume-like top during this stage. The basal leaves can be found throughout the summer but you will have to know where to look as time passes and other types of vegetation grow up around the plants.
Pasque flower is known as the earliest prairie bloom.
It is the opening act to a varied and beautiful performance that will last all summer long. The pasque flower bears only a passing resemblance to its cousin the wood anemone, Anemone quinquefolia, but the name should remind us that its also time to visit the woodlands to seek out this other anemone and its blooming neighbors. I knew from a previous experience the week before that there was at least one performing by the new council ring area. Our group hurried out as soon as we assembled. Then we all wait another long period, with the youngsters getting restless until someone spots one go up.