prairie smoke

American  

noun

1. a plant Geum triflorum, of the rose family, native to North America, having purplish flowers and silky-plumed fruit.

---

Etymology

Origin of prairie smoke

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Example Sentences

“A new favorite is prairie smoke, with its wispy seed heads.”

From Washington Post

There’s prairie smoke, with crimson buds that expel puffs of wispy seed tendrils.

From New York Times

“We found lupine, prairie smoke, prairie larkspur, the prairie clovers - both white and purple prairie clover. We found our tall prairie cinquefoil. We found hyssop. Bergamot. Butterfly weed.”

From Washington Times

The effort generally starts in May with prairie smoke, Solomon’s seal and pasque flowers.

From Washington Times