Who would have thought that the bright Yellow Alpine Pasque Flower is a subspecies of the White Alpine Pasque Flower? At first glance, the two species look so different that you would never confuse them, but they are so closely related that they even hybridise when they both grow in the same area.
The Yellow Alpine Pasque Flower is a well-known species and with its fine, feathery leaves it is one of the most elegant of all Alpine flora. The plant grows up to 50 cm tall, but it usually remains much smaller. The flowers can have a diameter of up to 6 cm and when they have bloomed, a fluffy spherical seed head forms known affectionately as “Haarmandli” (little hairy men).
Facts and Figures
The Yellow Alpine Pasque Flower is at home on acidic soils while the closely related Alpine Pasque Flower prefers alkaline calcareous soils. So the two species do not naturally occur on the same type of land. However, in areas where both acidic and alkaline soils occur, both species may be found. In this case, they then form numerous hybrid forms with flower colours ranging from dark yellow, pastel yellow and snow white.
Territory
In Switzerland, the Yellow Alpine Pasque Flower can be found wherever acidic soils predominate, particularly in areas with acidic base rock. They can be spotted here and there in the Gornergrat area but are a little more common on heathland populated by dwarf shrubs and larch forests in the Riffelalp region.
Further information
FAQs
Ripe seed is dispersed by the wind. The feathery seed heads are produced and remain on the plant, looking quite ornamental, for several weeks before being dispersed by the wind. This low growing plant is suitable for rock gardens or the front of the perennial border.
What is pasque flower good for? ›
Medicinal Properties
Pasque is an excellent nervous system remedy. It specifically helps for anxiety that is associated with insomnia, nervousness, heart palpitations and weepiness where the person feels vulnerable and frail.
Is the pasque flower native to North America? ›
Pulsatilla nuttalliana, known as American pasqueflower, prairie pasqueflower, prairie crocus, or simply pasqueflower, is a flowering plant native to much of North America, from the western side of Lake Michigan, to northern Canada in the Northwest Territories, south to New Mexico in the southwestern United States.
Is the pasque flower the same as a crocus? ›
A flower of many names, prairie crocus is also known as gosling plant, pasque-flower, windflower and more. The furry perennial is not actually a crocus, but an anemone, belonging to the buttercup family.
How long do Pasqueflowers bloom? ›
Pasque flower blooms for 4 to 6 weeks in spring with fuzzy flower buds that open to 1.5-inch-wide purple flowers that dance in the breeze. Fuzzy, feathery seedheads take up the dance when the blooms end.
Should you deadhead Pasqueflowers? ›
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage additional blooms or to prevent self-seeding. There is no need to cut back the plant in winter. Its dried seed heads and foliage add interest to the winter garden. Wait until spring and then cut it back to the ground right before new growth emerges.
What are some fun facts about the pasque flower? ›
Did you know? The Pasqueflower blooms in April, around Eastertime; for this reason, it is known as the 'anemone of Passiontide' and its common name 'pasque' derives from the word 'paschal' which means 'of Easter'.
Can you eat pasque flower? ›
Health. Wild pasqueflowers can be poisonous to humans and animals and can trigger an allergic reaction when touched. Despite its toxicity, aerial parts of the pasqueflower have been used traditionally in sedatives, painkillers, and remedies for eye conditions such as cataracts.
Is pasque flower endangered? ›
Eastern pasque flower is a poisonous species. It can crossbreed with spring pasque flower (Pulsatilla vernalis). Eastern pasque flower is endangered and in Finland it is a protected species. The decrease in forest fires and woodland grazing have hindered its reproduction.
Are Pasque flowers poisonous? ›
Pasque flower is poisonous to humans and livestock, so it can take over an area that is overgrazed as the livestock will not feed on it.
One of the first to show itself is the pasque, South Dakota's state flower. It usually blooms from late March to early June.
Are pasque flowers edible? ›
There is no recent evidence to support specific doses of pasque flower. The fresh plant is toxic; classical doses of the dried herb were from 0.1 to 0.4 g daily.
How does the pasque flower reproduce? ›
This is often because they're rare both in the wild and in cultivation, and therefore unknown to most growers. Rarity in cultivation is mainly because you can only propagate pasque flowers easily from seed. The seed will germinate quickly if sown fresh in late summer or early autumn.
What are the interesting facts about the pasque flower? ›
The leaves are deeply divided, similar to a fern. Pasque flowers will grow 9-12 inches tall. It blooms from April to May with yellow, white, dark violet, pale blue or red-violet colored flowers. The flowers have yellow, hairy centers, and turn into wispy, ornamental seed heads.
Does Pulsatilla self seed? ›
Grow Pulsatilla vulgaris in well-drained soil in full sun. It takes a while to become established and resents being disurbed. If growing in the right conditions, it will self-seed, so leave the seedheads to allow colonies to build up.
How to collect Pasque flower seeds? ›
Seed Saving: The fluffy seed heads should be harvested as soon as they will readily separate from the stem, since they will fly away on the wind if left too long. The long plumes should be removed from the Anemone Patens Wolfgangiana seeds. Store pasque flower seeds in a cool, dry place.
