Eastern pasque flower

Eastern pasque flower is a perennial herbaceous plant. Its large flowers are located at the top of its white-haired stems and they open in May. The flowers have six petals and their colour ranges from deep blue to red-violet. The flowers grow individually but there may be several flowers rising from a single rhizome. After blooming the plant grows leaves and develops a decorative core.

Eastern pasque flower thrives on ridge heaths and steep ridge slopes, dry meadows and sandy heaths. Openness is a connective feature in its habitats. Eastern pasque flower is distributed in Europe, Siberia and North America. In Finland it only occurs in Tavastia Proper area.

Eastern pasque flower is a poisonous species. It can crossbreed with spring pasque flower (Pulsatilla vernalis).

Eastern pasque flower is endangered and in Finland it is a protected species. The decrease in forest fires and woodland grazing have hindered its reproduction. The species benefits from activities resulting in more sunlight to the site. Eastern pasque flower habitats can be enhanced by harvesting trees, exposing mineral soil and making prescribed burnings.