Troutbirder II

Troutbirder II
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Sunday, June 30, 2013

Prairie Smoke


We stopped for a smoke. A prairie smoke that  is…..   This unusual plant was found the day we hiked the Hayden prairie located in northeastern Iowa.  We had found hundreds of dainty shooting stars that day but only a few of this now rare plant. I had never seen one before. 
In birding terms it was a “lifer.”  

The silky, flowing styles of the fruiting stage of Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum), never fail to win admirers at first sight.  When setting seed, large stands of the plant create a gauzy effect that resembles smoke hovering close to the ground.  Blooming in spring to early summer, Prairie Smoke will spread slowly from its roots in well-drained, dry to wet-mesic soils.  It prefers full to partial sun and has a native range from the northern tier of the US through most of Canada thus growing well in zones 3-9. It is quite rare in Minnesota.
 

I do believe finding a prairie smoke was, indeed, a "Lucky Strike."  :)

 

25 comments:

  1. What an unusual looking plant. I don't think I've ever seen one. You're looking mighty relaxed among those "smoking" plants.

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  2. I have never seen the plant - it's a charmer. Liked the puns! :)

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  3. The plant looks rather like a large jellyfish tendrils. Nice photo.

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  4. Lovely plants, up here we also call them Old Mans Whiskers, or Beard. We have them all over in the ditches, I love how they shimmer in the sunshine..but that is hard to catch on camera. We used to only have a few plants in the ditches..they have spread nicely:)

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  5. What a lovely flower! I've never seen one.

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  6. It's really beautiful. I see some wildlife amongst the prairie smoke. :-)

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  7. So pretty! One of my favourite prairie flowers.

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  8. I don't think I've ever seen one of these, it's very unusual.

    Nice play on words!

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  9. I don't believe I have ever seen this plant. It is, indeed,worth stopping and admiring it.

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  10. Interesting plant. I'll have to look and see if it is here. Yes we do have it here, it is common in dry prairie grasslands according to my book. It's known here as Old Man's whiskers.

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  11. Very pretty plant!!! I've never seen them before and just have to search for some for the prairie garden I'm trying to start out back.

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  12. Interesting plant. Never saw one like it before.

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  13. That is totally new to me and I love the effect. Nice to lie down with to really enjoy.

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  14. I cannot say that I have ever come across one of these, but what a beautiful flower.

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  15. Absolutely spectacular! I wouldn't have wanted to leave the spot.

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  16. I've never seen prairie smoke it's beautiful, glad it wasn't the other kind.

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  17. It's charming and beautiful!

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  18. Love your "Prairie Smoke". Have never seen it before.

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  19. I had one of these growing in an old tire a few years ago but chickens killed it.

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  20. What a great find! I'd be thrilled to no end.
    Had to smile.. though we wish every year that he'd quit, my dad smokes Lucky Strikes. Terrible for him. He's smoked them since he was probably about 17 years old.
    I believe he's attempting seriously right now to quit.. and hope he does. But they'll always be a trademark indicator, reminding me of my dad.

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  21. What an unusual plant. Congrats on the sighting. Seeing something new and rare in nature is so satisfying.

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  22. Interesting plant! Thanks for showing us.

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  23. Joining the crowd of - wow, I never saw one... a charming little plant! Thanks for sharing!

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