This native perennial usually has several stems arising from a single taproot the shape and size of a carrot. The 1-3 feet long stems trail over the ground or adjacent vegetation. The alternate leaves are deeply cut into 5-7 lobes which may be toothed or further subdivided (A). The long stalked, solitary flowers may be found among the leaves or projecting above them (A,B). They are cup-shaped consisting of 5 overlapping rose to purple petals with white bases. In the center is a column of yellow stamens (sometimes white as in our photo (B) which form a tube around the branched style, a characteristic shared with other members of the Mallow family.
This prairie plant prefers dry, sandy soil, flowering from May through August. At Neale Woods, it is uncommon in Jonas Prairie. Look on Gifford Trail just beyond the bench. In Fontenelle Forest, it has done very well in a hot, dry environment, specifically, the small, vegetated islands of the visitors center parking lot where it was planted as an ornamental.
The carrot-sized root is edible, tasting much like a sweet potato, as are the mucilaginous leaves which have been used to thicken soup. The Teton Dakota used it as a treatment for head colds, inhaling the smoke from the burning, dried roots.
Other common names include Wine Cup, Buffalo Poppy and Cowboy Rose.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Neal Ratzlaff.