Anemonastrum narcissiflorum subsp. zephyrum (A.Nelson) W.A.Weber

Growth habit and height

Plants of Anemonastrum narcissiflorum subsp. zephyrum grow 7 to 60 cm (2+3⁄4 to 23+1⁄2 inches) tall from a caudex, a woody perennial base.

Flowering period

Flowering occurs from spring to mid-summer, and often continues into late summer.

Basal leaf count and structure

The species produces 3 to 10 basal leaves that are ternate, meaning they are structured with three leaflets each.

Basal leaf shape and petiole length

These leaves are rounded to rounded triangular in shape, and grow on petioles 4 to 20 millimetres (5⁄32 to 25⁄32 inches) long.

Flower cluster arrangement

Flowers are borne in umbel-shaped clusters of 2 to 8 flowers, though they often appear to grow singly.

Inflorescence bract characteristics

The inflorescence has 3 leaf-like bracts that resemble the basal leaves in appearance, but are simpler in structure and much smaller in size, with a pinnatifid shape.

Sepal appearance and color

Flowers do not have true petals; instead they have 5 to 9 petal-like sepals, which can be white, blue-tinted white, or yellow.

Stamen count

Flowers usually hold 40 to 80 stamens, and may have as many as 100.

Fruit head attachment

After flowering, fruits develop in rounded heads attached to pedicels 5 to 14 centimetres (2 to 5+1⁄2 inches) long.

Ripe achene shape and size

The ripe fruits, called achenes, are ellipsoid to ovate in outline and flat in shape, measuring 5 to 9 millimetres (3⁄16 to 11⁄32 inches) long and 4 to 6 millimetres (5⁄32 to 1⁄4 inch) wide.

Achene surface and beak features

The achenes are winged, hairless, and have curved or recurved beaks that are 0.8 to 1.5 millimetres (0.031 to 0.059 inches) long.

Native range

Anemonastrum narcissiflorum is native to northwestern North America and Eurasia.

Habitat types

It grows in high mountain alpine grasslands, thickets, moist grassy meadows, tundra, open woods, along roadsides, and in pastures.