Prairie Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla nuttalliana) is in the buttercup family family (Ranunculaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,238 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to May, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Prairie Pasqueflower: observations by month (U.S.)
About Prairie Pasqueflower
Pulsatilla nuttalliana, known as American pasqueflower, cutleaf anemone, prairie pasqueflower, 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.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Prairie Pasqueflower by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | 1,314 | May | Apr–May |
| Minnesota | 318 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Wisconsin | 295 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Montana | 283 | April | Apr–May |
| Wyoming | 239 | May | May–Jun |
| New Mexico | 184 | April | Apr–Apr |
| Alaska | 137 | May | May–Jun |
| Illinois | 127 | April | Mar–Apr |
| South Dakota | 127 | April | Apr–May |
| North Dakota | 123 | April | Apr–May |
| Iowa | 75 | April | Mar–Apr |
| Nebraska | 16 | April | Mar–May |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (buttercup family)
Lesser Celandine
Red Columbine
Western Columbine
Rue Anemone
Marsh Marigold
Wood Anemone
Blue Columbine
Tenpetal Anemone
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Prairie Pasqueflower?
Nationally, April has the most observations, with the main season from April to May.
Where is Prairie Pasqueflower most often seen?
The most observations come from Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin.