Latin labeling and the prairie crocus re-brand

Thanks to one observant reader, we did some digging on the prairie crocus

In the May issue of ABP Magazine, our centre-fold featured an incredible photo of a prairie crocus beside an evocative description and its Latin name (or so we thought).

It turns out our label was slightly outdated.

After receiving the magazine in their mailbox, one observant reader reached out to let us know that the flower pictured is no longer referred to as Anemone patens.

According to senior scientists at Alberta Environment and Parks, prairie crocus (or prairie pasqueflower), is now referred to by most botanists as Pulsatilla nuttalliana instead of Anemone patens (though they be considered synonyms).

The debate around its naming, they say, comes from a mixture of confusion and lack of consensus on what is included in its group.

Scientific name changes happen fairly regularly, particularly as advancements in molecular research lead to better understandings of the relationships between organisms. And for people outside of the naming realm, it can be tough to keep up.

Our thanks to that observant reader, for the learning opportunity, and the feedback!

You can see more of the prairie crocus’ common names, and the distribution of Pulsatilla nuttalliana in Canada, on Canadensys.