Old man’s whiskers (Geum triflorum) is a clump-forming perennial in the rose family which flowers in spring on the Interior Plateau of B.C.   Other common names are prairie smoke or purple avens.    It spreads by rhizomes and establishes a mat of old leaf bases over time.   In spring a cluster of basal leaves appear.    Many compound, divided leaves are on short stems.    A small number of opposite leaves form on the stems.

Reddish-purple stems grow above the leaves and later flower buds appear.   Flowers form, hanging from small pedicles.    The pinkish inflorescence has stiff sepals enclosing downward-facing yellow-white petals.   The flowers seem closed from above, but pollinators find their way to the nectar and the pollen.

After pollination is complete, the flowerheads turn upright and the sepals open.   The styles grow and feathery hairs form, pinkish and later fading.    The wispy achenes are the source of the name “old man’s whiskers.”    The seeds are dispersed by the wind.

The leaves of Geum triflorum can be evergreen in protected areas.    The leaves lay flat to the ground in late fall and early spring, but may also do so in periods of hot weather.

We can find this plant throughout our grasslands and lower-elevation open forests.

A gallery of photos is shared here as a Google Photos album.    All photos by the author, from the area.