Native American folklore said the Pasqueflower symbolized the beginning of spring to the time of old age when the flowers turned a silvery grey at the end of their blooming period.
Mimi Shanahan, Horticulturist - Woodbury County Extension Master Gardener
Posted from 05/06/06:
Early spring, with its unsettled weather can hide surprises in the
natural prairies of our little corner of the world.
The Pasqueflower, South Dakota's state flower is one which
blooms early in the spring. I stumbled across one in a nursery a
few years ago and every year since it has graced my garden with
lovely purple flowers early in the garden season.
Pasque indicates Easter in the French language and that could be
the reason for the naming of this flower as it blooms every year
right around Easter. Another reason could be the fact that flowers
were used as a dye for Easter Eggs. This lovely flower is also
known as prairie smoke, gosling flower, sandflower, windflower,
wild crocus and anemone. The leaves and flowers are covered in
hair, which gives them a silvery or feathery look, and the flowers
are usually a rich violet-blue. They are the subject of Plains
Indian legend and song.
Currently this native flower can be found in only four states in
the United States: South Dakota, North Dakota, Illinois, and
Iowa.
This flower grows in a small 8-inch clump and does not like to
be divided. It has several heavy toughened stems covered with fine
silken hairs. The hairs help to insulate the plant from the cold
weather. It is unusual in that it flowers when the leaves of the
plant are just beginning to develop.
The solitary flower on each stem reaches about 2 inches and is a
dark purple color with a central cluster of yellow stamens inside.
When the flower matures, it turns into a gray plume, which gives it
the name smoke flower.
Look for Pasqueflower in the nursery, not in the wild. If you
have any questions about this or need more information, please call
Mimi Shanahan at (712) 276-2157 or email mimishan@iastate.edu.
Native American folklore said the Pasqueflower symbolized the beginning of spring to the time of old age when the flowers turned a silvery grey at the end of their blooming period.
