pasqueflower

[pask-flou-er]

noun

1. an Old World plant, Anemone pulsatilla, of the buttercup family, having purple, crocuslike flowers blooming about Easter.

2. a related plant, A. patens, having similar flowers: the state flower of South Dakota.

pasqueflower

/ ˈpɑːskˌflaʊə, ˈpæsk- /

noun

1. a purple-flowered herbaceous ranunculaceous plant, Anemone pulsatilla (or Pulsatilla vulgaris ), of N and Central Europe and W Asia

2. any of several related North American plants, such as A. patens

Word History and Origins

Origin of pasqueflower¹

Pasque (variant spelling of Pasch ) + flower (so named by the herbalist Gerarde in 1597); replacing passeflower < Middle French passefleur; pass

Word History and Origins

Origin of pasqueflower¹

C16: from French passefleur, from passer to excel + fleur flower; changed to pasqueflower Easter flower, because it blooms at Easter

Example Sentences

The lovely view of the lake is a good stopping point, but continue farther around the lake to find a path through the meadows, filled with Seuss-like pasqueflower seed heads, magenta paintbrush and subalpine daisies.

From Seattle Times

By midday, they moved on to blue star amsonia, Little Trudy catmint, sea holly and pasqueflower, which bloomed early in the season and provided food to pollinators building their nests.

From Washington Post