Geum triflorum (Prairie Smoke)
| Also known as: | Old Man's Whiskers |
|---|---|
| Genus: | Geum |
| Family: | Rosaceae (Rose) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | sun; dry fields, prairies |
| Bloom season: | April - June |
| Plant height: | 6 to 16 inches |
| Wetland Indicator Status: | GP: FACU MW: FACU NCNE: FACU |
| MN county distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
| National distribution (click map to enlarge): |  |
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Detailed Information
Flower: 
![[photo of flowers]](/udata/r9ndp23q/red/geum-triflorum-prairie-smoke_0424_173300.jpg)
3 flowers on long stalks at the top of a hairy but otherwise naked stem, with a pair of deeply lobed, green to red leafy bracts at the base of the cluster and another along the flower stalk. Each flower is ¾ to 1 inch long, generally red but may be a reddish shade of pink, purple or brown, nods down and remains bud-like when young but becomes erect and opens up after pollination. Mostly hidden under the red sepals are 5 white to pale pink petals. 5 long, narrow, red bracts fly out from near the base. Sepals and floral bracts are hairy on the outer surface.
Leaves and stem:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/red/geum-triflorum-prairie-smoke_0528_153657.jpg)
Basal leaves are 4 to 8 inches long, hairy, divided into 7 or more primary, wedge-shaped leaflets with coarse notches at the tips. One or more smaller leaflets are in between the larger ones. The flowering stem is reddish brown and covered in fine hairs.
Fruit:
![[photo of fruit]](/udata/r9ndp23q/red/geum-triflorum-prairie-smoke_0528_141013.jpg)
After pollination the flowers become erect, the petals and sepals spreading out. Fruit is a dry seed with a 2-inch long feathery plume. The plumes are reminiscent of smoke blowing in the wind, hence the common name.
Notes:
Prairie Smoke is one of the first prairie flowers to bloom in the spring, a sign that the growing season has begun in Minnesota.
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More photos
Prairie Smoke plant
more plants
early spring growth
Prairie Smoke with Hoary Puccoon, Blue-eyed Grass and Pussytoes
Prairie Smoke with Birds-foot Violet
a Prairie Smoke pollinator
horses do not eat Prairie Smoke
for sale at native plant nurseries
Prairie Smoke plant
more plants
early spring growth
Prairie Smoke with Hoary Puccoon, Blue-eyed Grass and Pussytoes
Prairie Smoke with Birds-foot Violet
a Prairie Smoke pollinator
horses do not eat Prairie Smoke
for sale at native plant nurseriesPhotos by K. Chayka taken at Grey Cloud Dune SNA, McKnight Prairie, Wild River State Park
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Minnesota, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2010-05-09 20:50:14
Thank you for your site. I greatly appreciate its ease of use and loads of information! I saw this plant in bloom along the Shooting Star Bike Trail just on the edge of the WMA. I didn't know what it was at the time but I certainly do now due to your wonderful site!
on: 2010-05-24 15:20:17
take a walk along the ridge and they stick out bright red against the grass. tons of them
on: 2010-09-17 18:19:59
After visiting my father's grave in Ft.Snelling Nat'l Cemetery, we wanted to tour the historical Fort Snelling. It was before Memorial Day and it wasn't open. We walked around the back side of the Fort, and my sister spotted the Prairie Smoke without having ever seen or heard of it! I was ecstatic! It had already developed its seed plumes. Extraordinary!
on: 2011-06-05 21:14:53
Some of the largest patches I have ever seen of the beautiful plant.
on: 2011-06-08 20:29:37
have been watching this flower for a month now trying to figure out what is is. finally blooming and ID'd. very pretty flower.
on: 2011-06-24 16:55:08
Great site only took minutes to find praire smoke. It was in full bloom with its seed plumes in a pasture on my farm in Ottertail county.
on: 2012-05-16 00:37:25
I have seen, today, the plant Prairie Smoke in a native prairie pasture in Murray County MN. Also, I am quite sure that Jim Brandenburg, the well known photographer has a photograph and prints of the plant as he saw it in the Luverne, MN fame. His prints can be seen in the Brandenbu rg gallery in Luverne, MN.
on: 2013-06-07 09:26:18
On our farm in the virgin prairie. How rare is this plant? so excited to see it on our prairie!
on: 2013-06-11 09:00:50
Grey Cloud Dunes, Cottage Grove, on 6/8/13!
on: 2013-06-12 00:43:12
Have a nice clump of Prairie Smoke right in my yard. It was spotted last year when we were experiencing drought conditions & that particular spot of our lawn is sand & gravel based so no mowing was necessary due to lack of moisture. I noticed this clump that appeared to be a flower & I decided to let it grow & found out what it was.
on: 2014-06-14 07:23:57
I added these to a garden plan last year. My landscaper had to search a few nursuries, but found it without much trouble. They are beautiful. An image of the plume now graces my facebook cover photo.
on: 2015-02-28 13:14:44
I have seen the prints of Mr. Brandenburg in Luverne, MN, but I also have seen the plants on the Buffalo Ridge in Murray County on private property. Mr Brandenburg show us the beauty of the plant with his photography.
on: 2015-05-10 18:32:27
We saw a few Prairie Smokes starting to bloom 4/26/15 - beautiful to see there's still some prairie flowers to admire in the wild.
on: 2016-05-30 06:33:32
Found a ton of these today while hiking in the WMA! Love this plant!
on: 2016-06-14 10:17:28
I have seen these flowers before at the Ordway Prairie, near Brooten, Mn, but I was surprised to find this small patch of them so close to home.
on: 2016-06-22 13:06:24
These are pretty wild all over Park Rapids, I've seen them growing in uncultivated vacant lots mostly. My friend found some along the Heartland Trail today. They're so beautiful, very airy and light!
on: 2017-05-06 21:11:15
I planted a few of these in one of my gardens last year...2016.
on: 2017-05-06 21:26:35
Found a couple dozen plants at Cloquet Overlook Park in their small prairie section. Section was recently burned.
on: 2017-06-10 14:40:43
Many in prairie on west side of park
on: 2017-07-17 17:22:38
Many plants blooming in the reserve just east of Felton MN on a sandy ridge. ( Blooms late May early June ) keeep your eyes open for white lady slippers also.
on: 2017-07-18 08:57:37
Recently I purchased a Prairie Smoke from a private owner in Ramsey selling mostly hostas. I was so excited to come across this beautiful flower in a pot waiting for a home. It was the only one she had. She told me she keeps it in shade but I assured her it was a prairie flower and should love the sun. I decided to finally do some research about it and found your site...as it needs to be planted soon. Our neighbors used to have a flower shop that was named Prairie Smoke. Also, Jim Brandenburg has gallery near here in Luverne. One of my favorite photos is the Prairie Smoke plant and a print is hanging on my wall.
on: 2018-06-12 12:27:33
Found a few on the Western Loop trail
on: 2018-07-21 08:10:30
This was last year. I went up to my Dad's pasture and found he didn't let his cattle roam it at all the previous years and that spring. The whole back hill where there's no trees was just covered in Prairie Smoke. As well as a flourishing patch of Wild Colombine at the tree line and in the woods there was a large patch of yellow Lady Slippers. Sadly this year he let the cattle roam and there was none to be found. Although when he retires, I'm sure we'll see a resurrgence of the plant based on what I've read about it. I also took some home and planted it in my garden. It didn't flower this year but it looks to be going strong so I'm hoping next year I can get some seeds.
on: 2018-10-27 18:26:08
Found a couple of patches of Prairie Smoke in May 2018. Patches are located East and North of Prairie Lake along the turf trail.
on: 2019-06-21 10:11:28
On the Trout Creek Trail south of Maryland Avenue. I think they are stunning in seed form.
on: 2019-07-22 12:37:11
Is prairie snake an invasive plant at all. Also I had two tigers eye bushes and had to remove them as they were send shoots all over the yard. We remove all roots from the bush but some of the shooters are still popping up plants. Any help on getting rid of these would be greatly appreciated.
on: 2019-07-22 13:55:12
Karen, prairie smoke does not send up shoots from rhizomes or stolons. While it may be abundant in favorable conditions, it is not known to crowd out other plants. I don't know what tigers eye bush is or anything about controlling it.
on: 2020-04-29 20:57:03
I think Tiger eye bush is a form of sumac that is bright lime green and quite beautiful. However, as a sumac it spreads by underground rhizomes that are hard to get rid of.
on: 2020-06-12 07:24:36
On tops of Lake Superior bluffs in dry rocky areas, interspersed with Daisy, Columbine, other grasses.
on: 2021-12-10 23:12:03
Just wanted to document it here in abundance in (SE Unit) of Uncas. Have not seen it in the Main Unit which surprises me as I think about it.
on: 2022-05-24 13:51:42
I have prairie smoke in my garden as well as another plant/weed that looks similar and appears to intermix with it. It's not the new growth but something else that never flowers. Any idea what it might be?
on: 2022-06-14 17:05:36
I first discovered this plant at a community garden about 20 years ago and marveled at how it bloomed in the snow! Over the years the same patch blooms now in late May. I have planted some in my home garden because I love the unique flowers, the "old man's whiskers" after it blooms, and the beautiful foliage.
on: 2024-02-13 15:27:27
Was super surprised to find prairie smoke growing in Koochiching! It was back on the Haney road alongside all the Lady's Slippers.
on: 2024-05-03 14:32:47
One plant blooming 28 April 2024 on south-facing slope at Pillow Bank Hills SNA, Lac qui Parle County