prairie smoke
ExplorePlants
prairie smoke
Geum triflorum
Prairie smoke is a beautiful flower that grows in grassy areas. Its fluffy, pinkish seed heads look like little puffs of smoke, making it a fun sight in nature!
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The prairie smoke has nodding, bell-shaped flowers, often pink or reddish, that never fully open. Its most distinct feature is the fuzzy, feather-like seed heads that emerge after blooming, resembling wisps of smoke.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRosaceaeGenusGeum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
After blooming, the fluffy seed heads shimmer and wave, truly looking like puffs of pink smoke!
Its unique flowers stay mostly closed, keeping delicate pollen safe and dry inside!
Native Americans traditionally used parts of this plant for various medicinal purposes, like soothing teas!
You can often spot prairie smoke as one of the very first colorful wildflowers to appear in spring!
Special abilities
Ability
Wind Whisperers
Prairie smoke has long, feathery seed tails that catch the wind, allowing its seeds to float away and spread far from the parent plant.
Ability
Early Bird Bloom
Prairie smoke can bloom very early in spring, taking advantage of sunlight before larger plants grow tall and create too much shade.
Ability
Deep Root Defender
Prairie smoke has strong, deep rhizomatous roots that help it survive droughts and wildfires common in its native prairie habitats.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 20-40 cm
- Spread
- 30-50 cm
- Flower Size
- 1-2 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Two-spotted Bumble Bee
Bombus bimaculatus
It collects nectar and pollen from the early spring flowers.
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
Visits the flowers for nectar and helps spread pollen.
eaten by
White-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer may browse the leaves and stems, especially when young.
eats
Geum Plume Moth
Stenoptilia pterodactyla
Its larvae feed on the developing seeds of the plant.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Also known as
Old man's whiskersSmoke flower
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch wild plants unless an adult says it's okay.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is prairie smoke?
20-40 cm
How wide does prairie smoke spread?
30-50 cm
How big are the flowers on prairie smoke?
1-2 cm
When does prairie smoke bloom?
Spring
Is prairie smoke edible?
No
Is prairie smoke toxic?
None
What is prairie smoke's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is prairie smoke pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
Where to spot
Park19 sightings9 species
Wyoming, US
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway
You might spot Lodgepole Pine, Flowery Phlox, and Moose.
View guide →
Park35 sightings4 species
British Columbia, CA
Kikomun Creek Provincial Park
You might spot Painted Turtle and Antelope Bitterbrush.
View guide →
Park7 sightings3 species
British Columbia, CA
Anarchist Protected Area
You might spot Ocean Spray, Rocky Mountain Woodsia, and Prairie Smoke.
View guide →
