Prairie crocus in Sandilands Provincial Forest, Manitoba, Canada

© Jaynes Gallery/Danita Delimon

Official flower of Manitoba

We know spring is here when the bright prairie crocus starts to bloom. This purple perennial is classified as an anemone and sports sepals instead of petals. The furry, white coating of hair protects the flower from windy and snowy weather. It tends to open in sunshine during the day and closes at nighttime and under grey skies. As part of the buttercup family, this species thrives in northern regions across the world. Prairie crocus prefers a dry habitat with open woods and thus, they can be spotted in Northwest Territories and Yukon in the north, British Columbia in the east and in Manitoba. As a matter of fact, it has been the official flower of Manitoba since 1906.