PLUME ANEMONE 



Pulsatilla occidentalis (Watson) Freyn 



FRUIT OF PLATE 1 63 



In the long days of June and July the seeds of alpine plants ripen 

 rapidly, and the flowers of the plume anemone soon are replaced by 

 silvery gray-green seed heads. These are almost as beautiful as the 

 flowers, and the head of silky seed tails, all smoothed sleekly from the 

 center of the cluster, reminds one of nothing so much as the crown 

 of a child's curly head. When ripe the "seeds" are easily detached from 

 the stem, the long feathery tail supporting them on their wind-blown 

 journey in search of a favorable situation for germination. These seed 

 heads are relished by the marmots, which eat them upon the spot, 

 or carry them to their winter caches. The marmots also pile them into 

 soft beds in their burrows. 



This member of the Crowfoot Family ranges from Montana to 

 California and northward to Alberta and Alaska. 



The specimen sketched was collected near the summit of the pass 

 at the head of Johnson Creek, Alberta, Canada, at an elevation of 

 8,500 feet. 



PLATE 164 



