Some similarities to: Love-in-a-Mist, which also has finely-divided leaves and six 'petals' (which are blue and open fully).

Uniquely identifiable characteristics

Distinguishing Feature :

The flower exhibits hemi-zygomorphic symmetry, seeming to be actinomorphic, but actually having slightly bilateral symmetry on account of its 3 + 3 arrangement of petaloid sepals and its drooping habit. It is a rather rare plant, not growing north of Carnforth nor west of Bristol and prefers short turf in limestone areas, particularly Hertfordshire. In some ways, it is not un-like Love-in-a-Mist, another member of the same Buttercup Family.

Somewhat surprisingly it is a member of the Buttercup Family, Ranuculaceae, but is the only member of its Genus, Pulsatilla in the UK (in the wider World there are about 33 species). Pulsatilla is sometimes regarded as a sub-genus of the Anemone Genus.

It is highly poisonous, and contains the lactone glucoside Ranunculin which is almost ubiquitous in members of the Buttercup Family and which is converted to the poisonous Protoanemonin by enzymes. Ingestion of Pasque Flower can result in diarrhoea, vomiting, hypotension, convulsions and coma possibly leading to death. It has in the past been used as a medicine by native Americans to induce abortion or aid childberth, but it should not be used as such! Extracts have been used to treat coughs and as a sedative. It is also said to have a variety of triterpene saponin cardiogenic toxins and oxytoxins which slow the heart rate of mammals, but the author has been un-succesful in tracking down any particular ones. Red herrings come to mind. When the plant is dried, the poisonous protoanemonin dimerises into the still poisonous but relatively non-toxic Anemonin.

Protoanemonin can cause strong allergic reactions when exposed to the skin, causing itching, rashes and blistering. It is strongly anti-bacterial and causes paralyses of the central nervous system.

The fruit is covered in very long silky strands not un-like those seen on Water Avens but without the barbs and may persist well into summer.

ANY TEXT GOES HERE