Prairie Smoke

Also called Old Man's Whiskers or Three-flowered Avens. A low clump-forming prairie perennial with ferny leaves and nodding pink-purple flower buds that open briefly, then produce astonishing plume-like feathery seed heads that catch the wind — the 'smoke' of the name. Thrives on dry slopes and mixed-grass prairie. One of the most photogenic Alberta wildflowers in late spring.