Pasque Flower

I spent Saturday morning in a cold, nagging wind hunting for Burnt-tip Orchids at Knocking Hoe Nature Reserve, over in Bedfordshire. Whilst wandering around trying to find the tiny Orchids I was surprised and delighted to come across a few small Pasque Flowers Pulsatilla vulgaris still in flower on the dry chalk slopes. I suddenly remembered that I hadn't made my usual spring visit to see the little colony growing at Incombe Hole near Ivinghoe Beacon. I suspect that it's too late now as the majority of the plants at Knocking Hoe had gone to seed and those in flower were small and stunted, probably suffering from the dry, windy weather. The Pasque Flower is one of Britains most beautiful plants with a large bell of violet velvety petals surrounding a circle of golden anthers. As the flower ages it begins to droop before straightening so the feathery seed heads can catch the wind. Pasque Flowers belong to the Buttercup (Ranunculaceae) family and flower in April and early May on sunny lime-rich grasslands in central and eastern England and often attract early bees. The word Pasque refers to Easter, the traditional flowering time of these lovely little plants.

Pasque Flower Pulsatilla vulgaris, Incombe Hole