An early spring bloomer, often found poking up from the soil in open pine forest. A very large, tulip-shaped purplish flower with a yellow center (due to many large, yellow anthers). Flowers may be open or closed up The petals are typically darker purple on the outer edge and lighter on the inside, with dark veins. The leaves are much smaller than the flower stalk, thin and feathery. Both the stem, leaves, and outsides of the flowers are hairy.