Geum triflorum (Prairie Smoke)

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Detailed Information

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 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:

Seed head 2 inches long of feathery plumes.

Notes:

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

More photos

• a small patch of Prairie Smoke

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?