When we go out to hike in the grasslands and the open forests of our area in the spring we find the fern-like leaves of old man’s whiskers greening-up in clumps, followed by the growth of stems and terminal buds, then pinkish bells swelling to flowering urns. As we continue to hike through the spring, we also spot them at higher locations, and in late spring, we see the upturned feathery clusters start to form.

• Geum trilflorum is a herbaceous perennial in the rose family.
• It is also called prairie smoke and purple avens.
• The plant grows from a rhizomous root system. The base of the plant is “woody”, partly made up of old stem/leaf bases.
• Many compound leaves are clustered at the base. A few (2-4) small, linear (opposite) leaves may emerge part way up the stem. Leaves are fernlike and hairy.
• Th stems are hairy and rise vertically for 20 – 40 cm.
• Three (usually) flowers (triflorum) form at the top of the stems. They nod and appear partly closed. The bell-shaped flowers have yellow-pink petals and purplish sepals. Hidden away is a central cluster of pistils and a ring of many stamens around them.

• Geum triflorum is found on dry, gravelly (glacial till) soil in open areas, in the grasslands, in open forests, and in higher locations in open areas.
• The flower appear in early spring (usually in April and May, but later in higher terrain).
• After flowering, the pollinated urn-shaped heads turn upward and plumes (old man’s whiskers) grow from the pistils.
• Many seeds are born in achenes in the feathery clusters.
• Seed is dispersed by the wind or by disturbance from passing animals.
• The “whiskers” have been described as “feather dusters.” and when they are clustered together become “prairie smoke.”
• All photos taken by the author. Click any image for a caption with location and month.

• Traditional societies in the Interior used prairie smoke/purple avens for various purposes – an eyewash, for yeast infections, as a bodywash in sweathouses, and as a love potion. Another group south of the border used a preparation of the plant to treat TB.
• Because they form dense mats, gardeners sometimes use them in perennial beds as a flowering groundcover. Cuttings from rhizomes can be used for transplanting or they can be grown from seed (requires stratification for higher germination rates).
• Geum triflorum is usually pollinated by honeybees, but smaller bees also feed on the pollen. Other insects may chew holes in the top of the flower to get the nectar.

We will be taking root divisions this spring to propagate the plants for a ground cover area in a border. We will also be collecting seeds to spread on a wildflower slope at the bottom of the property. Photos will be shared next year.