Prairie Crocus (Anemone patens) The real harbinger of spring on the prairies. Manitoba's floral emblem is more at home in the drier mixed grass prairie regions of Manitoba, but is regularly found in drier, well-drained sites in tall-grass prairie. It's mauve petals hug the ground in late April through May. The much-divided leaves remain in a tight clump, while a tufted seed head reaches up about 40 cm high by mid-June.