PULSATILLA GRANDIS Wenderoth – Pasque Flower, Meadow Anemone

Syn.: Pulsatilla vulgaris Mill. subsp. grandis (Wenderoth) Zamels, Anemone grandis (Wenderoth) Kern.
Family: Ranunculaceae Juss.

Distribution: Southern parts of Central and Southeastern Europe.
Habitat: It grows in steppe grasslands, sunny meadows, on grassy slopes, on limestone soils.
Description: A perennial herb with an erect stem, 5–30 cm high. The basal leaves are long-petiolate, 2–4 times pinnate, leaflets deeply divided. The flowers are funnel-shaped, erect, corolla violet, silky hairy. Flowers from March to May, sometimes on September once again. The fruit is an achene.
Threat and Protection: Pulsatilla grandis is an endangered and protected plant in some countries (CZ, SK).


This species is very variable, especially in the coloration of the flowers. A very interesting form is white flowering Pulsatilla grandis f. albiflora Formánek.

Use: The plant was used medicinally against pestilence.
Note: The Pasque Flower have been cultivated in gardens. Pulsatillas resent root disturbance and should be planted into their definitive positions.


These images were taken in Czechia, Southern Moravia, Brno – Kamenný vrch, Skalky and Hády; Malhostovická pecka; Pouzdřanská step (dates: from 2. 3. to 11. 5. 2003 and from 29. 3. to 23. 4. 2004).