cutleaf pasqueflower

Pulsatilla patens ssp. multifida

Image of eastern pasqueflower blooms partially open. Image of three eastern pasqueflower blossoms. Closeup image of eastern pasqueflower.

Description:

Pulsatilla patens, commonly known as the eastern pasqueflower or prairie crocus, is a herbaceous perennial plant native to North America.

Morphologically, Pulsatilla patens grows up to 20-30 cm tall, with a single stem bearing several basal leaves. The leaves are finely divided, green or grayish-green in color, and have a hairy texture. The flowers are solitary, bell-shaped, and vary in color from deep purple to pale blue, with yellow stamens at the center. The flowers bloom in early spring, usually around April, and are followed by a fluffy, silky seed head.

Pulsatilla patens is found in the grasslands, prairies, and open woodlands of Wisconsin. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun exposure, and is often found growing in rocky or sandy areas. It is an important early spring flower, providing nectar and pollen for pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Details:

cutler pasqueflower

USDA Symbol:	Common Name:	Scientific Name:
PUPAM	cutleaf anemone	Pulsatilla patens ssp. multifida

ITIS TSN: 18801

Category: Dicot

Taxonomy

Kingdom: Plantae

Subkingdom:

Super Division: Spermatophyta

Division: Magnoliophyta

Subdivision:

Class: Magnoliopsida

SubClass: Magnoliidae

Order: Ranunculales

Family: Ranunculaceae

Counties: Adams, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Fond du Lac, Grant, Green, Iowa, Jackson, Jefferson, Kenosha, La Crosse, Lafayette, Marquette, Milwaukee, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Richland, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Trempealeau, Vernon, Walworth, Waukesha, Waushara

Natural Community: Dry Prairie

Curtis Community: Dry Prairie

Coefficient of Conservation: 7

Duration:	Growth Habit:	Native Status:
Perennial	Forb/herb	L48(N)AK(N)CAN(N)

NR40 Listed Plant	Noxious Weed:	Invasive Species (NR40):	Threatened/Endangered:	WI Natural Heritage Index:	Wetland Status
		Native			UPL

Active Growth Period: Spring

After Harvest Regrowth Rate:

Bloat: None

Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio: High

Coppice Potential: No

Conspicuous Fall Color: No

Fire Resistant: Yes

Flower Color: Blue, Lavender, Purple, White

Conspicuous Flower: Yes

Foliage Color: Green

Foliage Light Porosity Summer:

Foliage Porosity Winter:

Foliage Texture:

Fruit/Seed Color:

Fruit/Seed Conspicuous:

Growth Form:

Growth Rate:

Height at Base Age (Max):

Height at Maturity:

Known Alelopath: No

Leaf Retention: No

Lifespan:

Low Growing Grass: No

Re-sproutability: No

Shape and Orientation: Erect

Toxicity: Moderate

Height (min): 4

Height (max): 16

Root Type: Taproot/Multiple Large

Leaf Type: simple

Leaf Arrangement: basal

Leaf Shape: palmate

Leaf Margin: serrate

Vein Pattern: pinnate

Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils:

Adapted to Medium Textured Soils:

Adapted to Fine Textured Soils:

Anaerobic Tolerance:

CaCO3 Tolerance:

Cold Stratification Required:

Drought Tolerance: High

Fertility Requirement: Low

_Fire Tolerance: Medium

Frost Free Days, Minimum:

Hedge Tolerance: None

Moisture Use: Low, Medium

pH (Minimum): 6.8

pH (Maximum): 7.2

Planting Density per Acre, Minimum:

Planting Density per Acre, Maximum:

Precipitation (Minimum):

Precipitation (Maximum):

Root Depth, Minimum (inches):

Salinity Tolerance:

Shade Tolerance: Partial

Temperature, Minimum (°F):

Plant Spacing (min):

Plant Spacing (max):

Bloom Period:	Commercial Availability:	Fruit/Seed Abundance:
	Routinely Available	Medium

Fruit/Seed Period Begin:	Fruit/Seed Period End:	Fruit/Seed Persistence:
Spring	Summer	No

Propogated by Bare Root:	Propogated by Bulbs:	Propogated by Container:
No	No	Yes

Propogated by Corms:	Propogated by Cuttings:	Propogated by Seed:
No		Yes

Propogated by Sod:	Propogated by Sprigs:	Propogated by Tubers:
	No	No

Seeds per Pound:	Seed Spread Rate:	Seedling Vigor:
	Slow	Medium

Small Grain:	Vegetative Spread Rate:	Propagation Treatment:
No	Slow

Days to Stratify:	Direct Sowing Time:
	Early Spring, Early Summer

Benefits: Butterflies, Deer Resistant, Pollinators

Berry/Nut/Seed Product:	Christmas Tree Product:	Fodder Product:
No	No	No

Fuelwood Product:	Lumber Product:	Naval Store Product:
No	No	No

Nursery Stock Product:	Palatable Browse Animal:	Palatable Graze Animal:
No	Low	Low

Palatable Human:	Post Product:	Protein Potential:
No	No	Low

Pulpwood Product:	Veneer Product:
No	No

Benefits:	Wildlife Food Value:	Wildlife Cover Value:
Butterflies, Deer Resistant, Pollinators	Low	Low

References:

iNaturalist Database – Pulsatilla patens
ITIS Database – Pulsatilla patens
Plant Network Database – Pulsatilla patens
Plants for the Future Database – Pulsatilla patens
USDA Plants Database – Pulsatilla patens
UW Extension Horticulture – Pulsatilla patens
University of Washington: Plant Propagation Protocol for Pulsatilla patens
WisFlora Database – Anemone patens

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