Minnesota Wildflowers


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Geum triflorum (Prairie Smoke)

Plant Info
Also known as: Old Man's Whiskers
Genus:Geum
Family:Rosaceae (Rose)
Life cycle:perennial
Origin:native
Habitat:sun; dry fields, prairies
Bloom season:April - June
Plant height:6 to 16 inches
USDA PLANTS database:Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:

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Detailed Information

Flower: 5-petals bell

[photo of flower] Groups of 3 or 6 flowers, generally red but may be a reddish shade of pink, purple or brown. Each flower is ¾ to 1 inch long, nods down and remains bud-like when young but becomes erect and opens up after polination (see seed photo below). Mostly hidden under the red bracts are 5 white to pale pink petals. 5 long narrow red sepals fly out from the base of the flower.

Leaves and stem: basal compound

[photo of leaves] Basal leaves are 4 to 8 inches long, divided into 7 or more leaflets, hairy with coarse notches at the tips. The stem is reddish brown and covered in fine hairs.

Fruit:

[photo of seed head] Seed head 2 inches long of feathery plumes.

Notes:

Prairie Smoke is one of the first prairie flowers to bloom in the spring.

Where to buy native seed and plants

Help support this site by buying seeds & plants from these vendors. Tell them we sent you!

  • Shooting Star Native Seeds - Native Prairie Grass and Wildflower Seeds
  • Prairie Restorations - Bringing people together with the land
  • Shop for native seeds and plants at PrairieMoon.com!
  • Out Back Nursery and Landscaping - Where Ecology and Horticulture Unite

Map of native plant purveyors in the upper midwest

More photos

Photos taken at Wild River State Park, Center City, MN, May 2007

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Dustin in Rustic Retreat Wildlife Management Area Mower County
on: 2010-05-09 20:50:14

Thank you for your site. I greatly appreciate its ease of use and loads of information! I saw this plant in bloom along the Shooting Star Bike Trail just on the edge of the WMA. I didn't know what it was at the time but I certainly do now due to your wonderful site!

Posted by: mike in camden state park lynd mn
on: 2010-05-24 15:20:17

take a walk along the ridge and they stick out bright red against the grass. tons of them

Posted by: Nancy in Fort Snelling
on: 2010-09-17 18:19:59

After visiting my father's grave in Ft.Snelling Nat'l Cemetery, we wanted to tour the historical Fort Snelling. It was before Memorial Day and it wasn't open. We walked around the back side of the Fort, and my sister spotted the Prairie Smoke without having ever seen or heard of it! I was ecstatic! It had already developed its seed plumes. Extraordinary!

Posted by: Tom in SW Becker County
on: 2011-06-05 21:14:53

Some of the largest patches I have ever seen of the beautiful plant.

Posted by: Crystal
on: 2011-06-08 20:29:37

have been watching this flower for a month now trying to figure out what is is. finally blooming and ID'd. very pretty flower.

Posted by: lars in battle lake mn ottertail county
on: 2011-06-24 16:55:08

Great site only took minutes to find praire smoke. It was in full bloom with its seed plumes in a pasture on my farm in Ottertail county.

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