ROSE FAMILY. 63 
The Pasque Flower is one of the most beautiful plants 
of the prairie, but is not confined to this region, extend- 
ing also to British Columbia. The large pur- 
plish flowers appear early in March on leaf- 
less stalks. Later the three-divided leaves appear. At 
first these and the stalk are covered with a dense coat 
of silky hairs which persist, but are more scattered, 
when the plant is fully grown. They form a valuable 
means of identification. The flower resembles in shape 
and size a small crocus and this has probably led to one 
of its popular names—the Prairie Crocus. It owes its 
beautiful crocus-like appearance to its coloured sepals,* 
the petals being small and stamen-like. The stamens and 
pistils are numerous, the latter, in fruit, forming a fluffy 
head, with the long styles developed into feathery tails. 
The Plant 
ROSE FAMILY—Rosaceae. 
WILD CHERRIES—Prunus spp. 
The Wild Black or Rum Cherry, Prunus serotina Ehrh., 
is a common tree extending from the east to the prairies. 
The danger from it lies in the presence of prussic acid 
in the wilted leaves. Animals may thus be poisoned by 
eating the leaves from broken branches. The toxic sub- 
stance is also contained in the seeds. The symptoms and 
treatment for prussic acid poisoning are given under 
Sorghum where they may be consulted. 
The tree is large, with reddish brown branches, and 
an aromatic inner bark. The latter is bitter, as in all 
the cherries, and is valuable for distinguishing their 
*There are five of these in the Pasque Flower while in the 
Croeus proper there are six. 
