Prairie Smoke, Old Man’s whiskers ~ Geum triflorum
These are also sometimes called “Purple Avens” or “Old Man’s Whiskers”. The species name triflorum (three-flowered) comes from their usual cluster of three flowers. When they grow in groups, the “feathery” appearance of the fruits gives an impression of low-lying smoke.
Prairie smoke, Old man’s whiskers, Purple avens, Geum triflorum; Rose family
These are blooming now at the east end of Dog Lake on the Flathead Indian Reservation. I found the color variation to be interesting (it’s not something I did with the photos). I will post photos later of the seed heads: they are quite interesting.
There was to be no success the other day in my quest to find Sego lilies, presumably because they have not bloomed yet. An unexpected reward though was a very large area of Prairie smoke in bloom, many more than I have ever seen in one area. They are to me quite pretty as they bloom, but spectacular when they go to seed: I will try to remember to stop back and get a shot or two when they do.
Prairie smoke,
Old man’s whiskers, Geum triflorum Pursh var. ciliatum
