The Western Anemone has gone to seed.
Indeed, this plant of the alpine meadow is usually seen after it has gone to seed for there are fewer hikers in the early spring when the flower blooms. The plant has many names, a familiar one is the Pasqueflower.
Below are two pictures of the anemone: the flowers (obviously taken earlier in the year), the seed heads or fruit (taken last Saturday).
The flower of the Wester Anemone is curious: what looks like white petals are actually sepals and they are variable in number.
Later, the flower is replaced by a clump of plumed seeds (the fruit) that have inspired various descriptive names, one being mops.
Excellent pictures in this series, as are all your photos and stories that go with them.
Have you ever heard these flowers called “Hippie on a stick” ?
Reid, Yes I have heard that name. Well, I have not heard it directly, but I have seen it mentioned in a book. Frankly, I thought the term was rather dated—dated, that is unless one lives in Nelson, where hippies still abound.
My fave name is “HIppie on a stick”