PLUME ANEMONE 



Pulsatilla occidentalis (Watson) Freyn 



Those whose fancy has led them in spring or summer to the higher 

 parts of the Canadian Rocky Mountains have been thrilled with the 

 loveliness of this beautiful anemone as it springs up at the edges of 

 retreating snow banks on the alpine slopes and valleys. The flowers 

 begin to open when the stems are only an inch high and still nestle 

 in a mass of grayish-green furry buds and half unfolded leaves. Within 

 a few days the stems lengthen, and each bears a large, creamy flower 

 with golden and green center, the blossoms contrasting with the back- 

 ground of pale green foliage. As they fade the flowers are sometimes 

 tinged with blue. 



The plume anemone belongs to the Crowfoot Family. It ranges 

 from California and Montana northward to Alberta and Alaska. 



The specimen sketched grew near Lake O'Hara, fifteen miles by 

 trail from Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada, at an altitude of 4,000 feet. 



PLATE 163 



