marie’s time for nature

Time for NatureBotany Blitz

A wildlife ecologist’s foray into the unfamiliar world of plants

by Marie Tremblay

Plants, you say?

What would prompt a wildlife ecologist like myself to dedicate her Time For Nature to the study of plants? Long story short, I’ve always been interested in plants but just haven’t had much time to devote to them . . . until now.

In that sense, my TFN was a total indulgence – an opportunity to spend time appreciating nature in a way I don’t normally have time for. And I certainly wasn’t disappointed - over the course of the week, I managed to identify (hopefully, correctly) 139 species of vascular plants. That’s about 120 more species than I was familiar with when I started out!

But perhaps the most remarkable observation I made was just how incredibly beautiful plants are when you examine them

carefully. Hence, my TFN felt more like a visit to a colourful outdoor art gallery than a natural history exercise. From the showy to the subtle, I found each species I encountered had its own unique cachet.

My explorations took me to five NCC properties, all within a three-hour drive from Calgary, Alberta. These are described briefly at the beginning of this presentation, followed by the plant species I encountered during my adventure. Unless otherwise noted, all photos were taken by myself on NCC properties.

Finally, despite my best efforts, I may have misidentified some species. If you notice any errors, please bring them to my attention. Also, there were several species that left me completely stumped. I have included these in the Mystery Section, which starts on slide 185. Any clues that might help in their identification would be most appreciated!

Lusicich property, Crowsnest Pass, SW corner of AB

Date visited:July 3, 2012

Natural Region: Rocky Mountain

Natural Subregion:Montane

NCC Stats:263 acres, fee simple, located in the Crowsnest Pass Natural Area.

Notes: Day 1 was spent scrambling up and down well-used game trails with some of my AB colleagues. Special thanks to plant aficionado Kelly Eaton for helping get my botany blitz off to a blazing start with 61 species.

Kerfoot property, west of Calgary

NCC Stats:1280 acres, conservation agreement, located in the Bow Natural Area.

Notes: Nestled in the Rocky Mountain Foothills, Kerfoot is a magical place right at Calgary’s doorstep. The ridge topography provides not only breathtaking views but also a wide array of vegetation communities to explore. I managed to identify 83 different species in one afternoon.

Nodwell property, east of Calgary

Natural Region: Grasslands

Natural Subregion:Northern Fescue

NCC Stats:320 acres, fee simple, located in the Badlands Natural Area.

Notes:Prairie badlands are one of my favourite landscapes. On Nodwell I encountered 48 intriguing species, from Pricklypear Cactus on sunbaked slopes to Creamy Peavine tucked away in the cool understory of white spruce stands.

Beynon-Biggs property, east of Calgary

Natural Region: Grasslands

Natural Subregion:

NCC Stats: 445 acres, fee simple, located in the Badlands Natural Area.

Notes: Rosebud Creek runs through this quiet and secluded piece of land. I didn’t have much time here so will have to go back for a more thorough visit.

Connop property near Turner Valley, SW of Calgary

NCC Stats: 320 acres, fee simple, located in the Bow Natural Area.

Notes:Like a kid in a candy store, I was overwhelmed by the variety of wildflowers gracing the property’s grasslands, aspen stands and wet meadows. I managed to document 51 species here, several of which I hadn’t seen elsewhere.

Here we go . . .

Apiaceae Family

(Carrot Family)

Caraway

Also called:

Family: Apiaceae

Scientific Name: Carum carvi

NCC Properties:Kerfoot, Connop

Notes: Introduced from Eurasia as a cultivated species.

Cow-parsnip

Also called:

Family: Apiaceae

Scientific Name: Heracleum maximum

Notes:Important bear food.

Blunt-fruited Sweet-cicely

Also called:

Family: Apiaceae

Scientific Name: Osmorhiza depauperata

NCC Properties:Lusicich, Connop

Notes:The roots of this plant were used by the Blackfoot to make flour.

Heart-leaved Alexanders

Also called: Meadow Parsnip

Family: Apiaceae

Scientific Name: Zizia aptera

Notes:Considered potentially poisonous.

Asteraceae Family

(Aster Family)

Yarrow

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Achillea millefolium

NCC Properties:Lusicish, Kerfoot, Nodwell, Beynon, Connop

Notes:This aromatic plant has been used for millenia as a medecine and insecticide. Used externally to treat burns, boils, open sores, pimples, earaches, sore eyes and mosquito bites. As a tea, was used internally to treat colds, diarrhea, fevers and diabetes.

Pale False-dandelion

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Agoseris glauca

NCC Properties:Kerfoot

Notes:Native. Grows in mountain meadows, prairie grasslands and open woodlands.

Alpine Pussytoes

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Antennaria alpina

NCC Properties:Lusicish, Kerfoot

Notes:Grows in alpine meadows. The flowers resemble the paws of a cat.

Showy Pussytoes

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Antennaria pulcherrima

NCC Properties:Connop

Notes:Grows in moist sites in open woods and meadows; foothills to subalpine.

Rosy Pussytoes

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Antennaria rosea

NCC Properties:Lusicish

Notes:Grows in dry, open areas and prairie grasslands.

Arrow-leaved Balsamroot

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Balsamorhiza sagittata

Notes:A sticky substance is exuded by the root. Distribution in Alberta is restricted to the far SW corner of the province.

Golden Aster

Also called: Hairy Golden Aster

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Heterotheca villaso/Chrysopsis villosa

Notes:Native. Increaser. Fair forage value.

Brown-eyed Susan

Also called: Blanketflower, Gaillardia

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Gaillardia aristata

NCC Properties:Lusicish, Kerfoot, Nodwell, Connop

Notes:The roots were used by the Blackfoot to treat stomach disorders and eye and nose infections.

Canada Goldenrod

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Solidago canadensis

NCC Properties:Lusicish, Connop, Nodwell

Notes:The flowers make a bright yellow dye. The young leaves can be eaten in a salad or cooked like spinach.

Canada Thistle

Also called: Creeping Thistle

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Circium arvense

NCC Properties:Kerfoot, Connop, Nodwell

Notes: Eurasian weed. Common and noxious. Invader. Poor forage value. Introduced from SE Asia to Canada in contaminated crop seed.

Common Dandelion

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Taraxacum officinale

Notes:Introduced annual.

Dandelions are so ubiquitous, I didn’t think of taking a photo . . .

Chicory

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Chicorium intybus

NCC Properties:Nodwell

Notes:Wild variety of Romaine lettuce. Used as coffee substitute.

Cut-leaved Fleabane

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Erigeron compositus

Notes:

Tufted Fleabane

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Erigeron caespitosus

NCC Properties:Kerfoot, Nodwell, Connop

Notes:Increaser. Native. Poor forage value.

Goatsbeard

Also called: Western Salsify

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Tragopogon dubuis

NCC Properties:Lusicish, Kerfoot, Nodwell

Notes:Introduced from Eurasia.

Hairy Arnica

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Arnica mollis

Notes:

Pearly Everlasting

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Anaphalis margaritaceae

NCC Properties:Kerfoot,

Notes:

Sagebrush

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Artemisia cana

NCC Properties: Nodwell

Notes:Used by prong-horned antelope. Very tolerant of salinity. Tends to invade grazing ranges because cattle don’t eat it.

Pasture Sagewort

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Artemisia frigida

NCC Properties:Kerfoot, Nodwell, Beynon

Notes:Not grazed by cattle in Alberta but cattle in New Mexico will eat it.

Prairie Sagewort

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Artemisia ludoviciana

Notes: Used by Native peoples to treat stomach aches, sinus ailments, headaches, rheumatism and colds. Increaser with over-grazing.

Long-leaved Sage

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Artemisia longifolia

Notes: Distribution in Alberta is restricted to the SE part of the province. Occurs on eroded slopes, shale outcrops and in badlands.

Narrow-leaved Hawkweed

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Heiracium umbellatum

Notes:Might also beNarrow-leavedHawksbeard, an introduced species?

Common Annual Sunflower

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Helianthus annus

Notes:Grows along roadsides and dry, sandy areas.

Colorado Rubber Plant

Also called:

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Hymenoxys richarsonii

Notes:The roots contain a rubbery substance that can be used as chewing gum.

Woolly Groundsel

Also called: Prairie Groundsel, Silvery Goundsel

Family: Asteraceae

Scientific Name: Senecio canus/Packera cana

Notes:‘Cana’ means ash-coloured, which refers to the greyish surface of the leaves and stems.

Berberidaceae Family

(Barberry Family)

Creeping Oregon-grape

Also called:

Family: Berberidaceae

Scientific Name: Mahonia repens

Notes:This plant had manytraditional medecinal uses including as an antiseptic, for helping delivery the placenta and heal wounds, as a contraceptive, and to treat kidney and stomach troubles, rheumatism, and loss of appetite.

Betulaceae Family

(Birch Family)

Bog Birch

Also called: Dwarf Birch

Family: Betulaceae

Scientific Name: Betula nana

Notes:Observed in a wetmeadow.

Boraginaceae Family

(Borage Family)

Blueweed

Also called:

Family: Boraginaceae

Scientific Name: Echium vulgare

Notes:Introduced from North Africa as an ornamental.

Bluebur

Also called:

Scientific Name: Lappula squarrosa

Notes:Introduced from Eurasia.

Yellow Puccoon

Also called: Lemonweed,Woolly Gromwell

Scientific Name: Lithospermum ruderale

NCC Properties:Lusicish, Kerfoot, Connop

Notes:Native peoples used an extract from this plant as a form of birth control. The extract contains estrogen.

Tall BluebellsAlso called: Tall Lungwort

Scientific Name: Mertensia paniculata

Notes:The fresh leaves are edible and can be used in soups or salads.

Brassicaceae Family

(Mustard Family)

Wormseed Mustard

Also called:

Family: Brassicaceae

Scientific Name:Erysimum cheiranthoides

Notes:Native. Grows in fields and disturbed areas.

Stinkweed

Also called: Pennycress, Fanflower

Family: Brassicaceae

Scientific Name: Thlapsi arvense

Notes:Introduced from Eurasia. Affects the flavour of milk when cattle feed on this plant.

Cactaceae Family

(Cactus Family)

Plains Pricklypear

Also called:

Family: Cactaceae

Scientific Name:Opuntia polycantha

Notes:Common in the badlands.

Campanulaceae Family

(Harebell Family)

Harebell

Also called:

Family: Campanulaceae

Scientific Name:Campanula rotundifolia

NCC Properties:Kerfoot, Nodwell

Notes: Native. Increaser. Poor forage value.

Caprifoliaceae Family

(Honeysuckle Family)

Buckbrush

Also called:

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Scientific Name: Symphoricarpos occidentalis

NCC Properties:Kerfoot, Nodwell, Beynon

Notes:The stems were used by the Blackfoot to make arrow shafts.

Caryophyllaceae Family

(Pink Family)

Long-stalkedChickweed

Also called: Long-stalked Starwort

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Scientific Name: Stellaria longpipes

NCC Properties:Lusicich, Kerfoot, Connop

Notes:Grows in moist open areas and woodlands.

Mouse-earChickweed

Also called:

Family: Caryophyllaceae

Scientific Name: Cerastium arvense

Notes:Petals are notched, resembling mouse ears.

Cornaceae Family

(Dogwood Family)

Red-osierDogwood

Also called:

Family: Cornaceae

Scientific Name: Cornus sericea

Notes:Browsed by moose. Leaves cure on the ground and are very nutritious. Used as an ornamental due to red stems.

Crassulaceae Family

(Stonecrop Family)

Lance-leaved Stonecrop

Also called:

Family: Crassulaceae

Scientific Name: Sedum lanceolatum

NCC Properties:Lusicich

Notes:The plant is highly drought-resistant due to the fleshy leaves that act as water storage devices.

Cuppressaceae Family

(Cedar Family)

Common JuniperAlso called:

Family: Cupressaceae

Scientific Name: Juniperis communis

NCC Properties:Lusicich, Kerfoot, Nodwell, Beynon

Notes:Very widespread species. The wood was used to repel insects and deodorize.

Creeping Juniper

Also called:

Scientific Name: Juniperis horizontalis

NCC Properties: Kerfoot, Nodwell

Notes: Widespread species. Typically found on dry rocky or sandy open slopes and forests.

Rocky Mountain Juniper

Also called:

Scientific Name: Juniperis scopularum

Notes:Long-lived species; typically 200-300 years but sometimes up to 1,500 years.

Cyperaceae Family

(Sedge Family)

Creeping Spikerush

Also called:

Family: Cyperaceae

Scientific Name: Eleocharis palustris

Notes: Observed in a wet meadow.

Elaeagnaceae Family

(Oleaster Family)

Wolfwillow

Also called: Silverberry

Family: Elaeagnaceae

Scientific Name: Elaeagnus communtata

Notes:Flowers give off a pungent smell that is offensive to some (including me).

BuffaloberryAlso called: Soopolalie

Family: Elaeagnaceae

Scientific Name: Shepherdia canadensis

NCC Properties:Lusicich, Kerfoot, Nodwell

Notes:Important bear food. A grizzly bear can eat up to 200,000 berries in single day.

Equisetaceae Family

(Horsetail Family)

Common Horsetail

Also called: Field Horsetail

Family: Equisetaceae

Scientific Name: Equisetum arvense

NCC Properties:Lusicich, Kerfoot

Notes: Bears will eat this plant. One of the most widespread plant species in the world.

Ericaceae Family

(Heath Family)

Common Bearberry

Also called: Kinnikinnick

Family: Ericaceae

Scientific Name: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Notes:Indicator of acid soils. Bears eat the fruit. Used as an ornamental.

Dwarf Blueberry

Also called:

Family: Ericaceae

Scientific Name: Vaccinium caespitosum

Notes:Berries are juicy and sweet. They were widely used by native peoples either fresh or dried.

Fabaceae Family

(Pea Family)

Field Milkvetch

Also called: Purple Milkvetch

Family: Fabaceae

Scientific Name: Astragalus agrestis

Notes: Members of the pea or legume family are important ecologically due to their role as nitrogen-fixers.

Indian Milkvetch

Also called: Purple Milkvetch

Family: Fabaceae

Scientific Name: Astragalus australis

Notes: Grows in prairies and mountain meadows.

Wild Vetch

Also called:

Family: Fabaceae

Scientific Name: Vicia americana

Notes: Might also be Few-Flowered Milkvetch.

Creamy Peavine

Also called: Cream-coloured Vetchling

Family: Fabaceae

Scientific Name: Lathyrus ochroleucus

Notes: Native peoples ate the fruits of this plant. However, continued ingestion of the peas over several days can lead to serious health issues like loss of muscle coordination and paralysis.

Alpine Hedysarum

Also called:

Family: Fabaceae

Scientific Name: Hedysarum alpinum

NCC Properties:Keerfoot, Connop

Notes:

Yellow Hedysarum

Also called: Yellow Sweet-vetch

Family: Fabaceae

Scientific Name: Hedysarum sulphurescens

Notes: Important food for grizzly bears, which feed off the roots in spring and fall.

Silky Lupine

Also called: Perennial Lupine

Family: Fabaceae

Scientific Name: Lupinus sericeus

NCC Properties:Lusicich, Connop

Notes: In Alberta, restricted to Rocky Mountains. Grows in grasslands and open woods.

Yellow Sweetclover

Also called:

Family: Fabaceae

Scientific Name: Melilotus officinale

Notes: Introduced from Europe as a forage plant.

White Sweetclover

Also called:

Family: Fabaceae

Scientific Name: Melilotus alba

Notes: Introduced from Europe as a forage plant. Invader. Good forage value. Commonly used in reclamation as part of reseeding mixes.

Late Yellow Locoweed

Also called:

Family: Fabaceae

Scientific Name: Oxytropis monticola

Notes:Native. Toxic; causes horse to go crazy and photosensitivity in cattle. Increaser with overgrazing.

Showy Locoweed

Also called:

Family: Fabaceae

Scientific Name: Oxytropis splendens

Notes:Found in prairie grasslands and open woods. Very striking.

Golden Bean

Also called:

Family: Fabaceae

Scientific Name: Thermopsis rhombifolia

Notes:Poisonous; ingestion will cause respiratory paralysis. Native peoples used the flowers to make yellow dye.

Red Clover

Also called:

Family: Fabaceae

Scientific Name: Trifolium pratense

Notes: Introduced from Europe as a forage plant. Grows in disturbed sites and on lawns.

White Clover

Also called:

Family: Fabaceae

Scientific Name: Trifolium repens

Notes:Introduced from Europe. Grows in lawns and waste areas.

Geraniaceae Family

(Geranium Family)

White Geranium

Also called:

Family: Geraniaceae

Scientific Name: Geranium richardsonii

Notes:Grows in open aspen and spruce forest. The leaves are edible.

Sticky Purple Geranium

Also called:

Family: Geraniaceae

Scientific Name: Geranium viscosissimum

Notes:Grows in open grasslands, foothills and coulees.

Grossulariaceae Family

(Currant Family)

Northern Gooseberry

Also called:

Family: Grossulariaceae

Scientific Name: Ribes oxyacanthoides

NCC Properties:Lusicich, Kerfoot, Nodwell, Connop

Notes:Thorny. The fruit makes a good jelly.

Hydrophyllaceae Family

(Waterleaf Family)

Silver-leaved Scorpionweed

Also called:

Family: Hydrophyllaceae

Scientific Name: Phacelia hastata

Notes:Grows in dry, open sites in southern BC and Alberta.

Silky Scorpionweed

Also called:

Family: Hydrophyllaceae

Scientific Name: Phacelai sericia

Notes:In Alberta, only found in the Rocky Mountains, in open woods and on subalpine slopes.

Iridaceae Family

(Iris Family)

Blue-eyed Grass

Also called:

Family: Iridaceae

Scientific Name: Sisyrinchium montanum

NCC Properties: Kerfoot, Connop

Notes:

Liliaceae Family

(Lily Family)

Wild Chives

Also called:

Family: Liliaceae

Scientific Name: Allium schoenoprasum

Notes:Used by native peoples to flavour food and treat colds or coughs.

Mariposa Lily

Also called:

Family: Liliaceae

Scientific Name: Calochortus apiculatus

Notes:In Alberta, only found in extreme SW corner of the province. The Blackfoot ate the bulbs of this plant.

Western Wood Lily

Also called:

Family: Liliaceae

Scientific Name: Lilium philadelphicum

Notes:Floral emblem of Saskatchewan. Flowers are large and incredibly showy.

False Solomon’s-seal

Also called:

Family: Liliaceae

Scientific Name: Maianthemum racemosum/ Smilacina racemosa

Notes:The young shoots are edible. Leaf margins are wavy, in contrast to Star-flowered Solomon’s-seal.

Star-flowered Solomon’s-seal

Also called:

Family: Liliaceae

Scientific Name: Maianthemum stellatum / Smilacian stellata

NCC Properties:Lusicich, Nodwell, Connop

Notes:Typically found on the edges of woods. Roots were used by Native peoples to stop bleeding. Plant is highly edible to livestock.

Bronzebells

Also called:

Family: Liliaceae

Scientific Name: Stenanthium occidentale

Notes:In Alberta, only found in or near the Rocky Mountains.

White Camas

Also called:

Family: Liliaceae

Scientific Name: Zigadenus elegans

Notes:Slightly poisonous to humans and livestock, although eaten in large quantities could be deadly.

Death Camas

Also called:

Family: Liliaceae

Scientific Name: Zigadenus venenosus

Notes:Highly poisonous.

Linaceae Family

(Flax Family)

Western Blue Flax

Also called:

Family: Linaceae

Scientific Name: Lilum lewisii

NCC Properties:Lusicich, Nodwell

Notes:Native. Used agriculturally to produce linseed oil.

Onagraceae Family

(Evening-primrose Family)

Fireweed

Also called: Great Willowherb

Family: Onagraceae

Scientific Name: Epilobium angustifolium

Notes: Is the floral emblem of the Yukon. Early successional species; comes in after fire.

Pinaceae Family

(Pine Family)

White Spruce

Also called:

Family: Pinaceae

Scientific Name: Picea glauca

NCC Properties:Nodwell, Beynon

Notes: Wood is straight-grained and used commercially for construction material and pulp.

Lodgepole Pine

Also called:

Family: Pinaceae

Scientific Name: Pinus contorta

NCC Properties:Lusicich*

Notes: Early successional species; he serotinous cones need fire to open and drop seeds. Needles are twisted (hence ‘contorta’) and in bunches of 2. Used commercially for pulp. 70-year rotational time.

*Photos taken in Waterton National Park.

Limber Pine

Also called:

Family: Pinaceae

Scientific Name: Pinus flexilis

Notes:No commercial value. Branches are very flexible.

Douglas-fir

Also called:

Family: Pinaceae

Scientific Name: Pseudo-tsuga menziesii

Notes:Older trees have a cork-like bark that is highly resistant to fire. One o the largest tree species in Canada.

Poaceae Family

(Grass Family)

Short-awned Foxtail

Also called: Little Meadow-foxtail

Family: Poaceae

Scientific Name: Alopecurus aequalis

Notes:Typically found in marshes and ditches.

Crested Wheatgrass

Also called:

Family: Poaceae

Scientific Name: Agropyron cristatum

Notes:Introduced; extremely aggressive species. High producer for cattle feed. High evaporation rate makes it good for draining/depressing the water table. Was formerly used extensively for reclamation but is no longer due to invasiveness.

Slender Wheatgrass

Also called: Awned Wheatgrass

Family: Poaceae

Scientific Name: Agropyron trachycaulum

Notes:Native. Provides excellent forage for sheet, cattle and wildlife. Vulnerable to overgrazing.

Smoothe Brome

Also called:

Family: Poaceae

Scientific Name: Bromus inermis

NCC Properties:Kerfoot, Nodwell, Beynon, Connop

Notes: Introduced from Europe. Used for road revegetation since the 1920s. Very hardy and aggressive. Encroaches on native grasslands. Makes good hay.

Quack Grass

Also called:

Family: Poaceae

Scientific Name: Elymus repens

Notes:Introduced from Europe. Highly invasive and rhizomous. In severely infested fields, rhyzomes can weigh up to 7-9 metric tons per acre.

Sweet Grass

Also called:

Family: Poaceae

Scientific Name: Hierochloe odorata

Notes:

Mountain Rough Fescue

Also called:

Family: Poaceae

Scientific Name: Festuca altaica

Notes: Native. A common tufted grass of dry prairie grasslands.

Foxtail Barley

Also called:

Family: Poaceae

Scientific Name: Hordeum jubatum

Notes:Indicates moderate salt content in soils. Palatable in spring; after that awns cause mechanical damage. Poor forage value. Considered an invader.

Hairy Wild Rye

Also called:

Family: Poaceae

Scientific Name: Leymus innovatus

Notes:I’m not entirely sure about species identification on this one.

June Grass

Also called:

Family: Poaceae

Scientific Name: Koeleria cristata/macrantha

Notes:Native. Preferred by cattle. Good forage value. Highly nutritious.

Kentucky Bluegrass

Also called:

Family: Poaceae

Scientific Name: Poa praatense

Notes: Introduced. Used for lawns.

Timothy

Also called:

Family: Poaceae

Scientific Name: Phleum pratense

Notes: Introduced forage crop from Europe. Commonly grown for hay. Can germinate directly on horse manure. Good forage value. Considered an invader. Used for reclamation, improved pasture.

Polygonaceae Family

(Buckwheat Family)

Yellow Umbrellaplant

Also called:

Family: Polygonaceae

Scientific Name: Eriogonum flavum

Notes:Native peoples mashed the roots of this plant for earplugs. Found on dry plains and gravelly or rocky slopes.

Primulaceae Family

(Primrose Family)

Saline Shootingstar

Also called:

Family: Primulaceae

Scientific Name: Dodecatheon pulchellum

Notes: Observed in a wet meadow. Could also be Dodecatheon conjugens, which looks very similar and has an overlapping distribution.

Ranunculaceae Family

(Crowfoot or Buttercup Family)

Canada Anemone

Also called:

Family: Ranunculaceae

Scientific Name: Anemone canadensis

Notes: I struggled to identify this plant...

Windflower

Also called: Cut-leaved Anemone

Scientific Name: Anemone multifida

Notes: Top photo shows plant before bloom.

Prairie Crocus

Also called: Pasqueflower

Scientific Name: Anemone patens

Notes: Blooms in early spring. Forms a hairy seedhead as shown in photo.

Yellow Columbine

Also called:

Scientific Name: Aquilegia flavescens

Notes:Observed on open forest floor. The young leaves and flowers are edible.

Meadow Buttercup

Also called: Tall Buttercup

Scientific Name: Ranunculus acris

Notes: Introduced from Europe. Often found in overgrazed pastures; is unpalatable to cattle.

Western Meadowrue

Also called:

Scientific Name: Thalictrum occidentale

NCC Properties:Lusicich, Kerfoot, Beynon, Connop

Notes: Grows in aspen forests and moist meadows.

Rosaceae Family

(Rose Family)

Saskatoon

Also called:

Family: Rosaceae

Scientific Name: Amelanchier alnifolia

NCC Properties:Lusicich, Kerfoot, Nodwell, Beynon

Notes:Heavily browsed by deer. Fruits are delicious.

Wild Strawberry

Also called:

Family: Rosaceae

Scientific Name: Fragaria vesca/virginiana

Notes:Edible.

Yellow Avens

Also called:

Family: Rosaceae

Scientific Name: Geum aleppicum

Notes: At first glance, I thought this was a cinquefoil. I now believe this to be an avens but am not entirely sure. Does this seem right?

Old Man’s Whiskers

Also called:

Family: Rosaceae

Scientific Name: Geum triflorum

Notes: Native increaser. Poor forage value.

Shrubby Cinquefoil

Also called:

Family: Rosaceae

Scientific Name: Potentilla fruticosa / Pentaphylloides floribunda

Notes:Native increaser. Abundance indicates overgrazing. Poor forage value.

White Cinquefoil

Also called:

Family: Rosaceae

Scientific Name: Potentilla arguta

Notes:Grows in moist prairie grasslands.

Early Cinquefoil

Also called:

Family: Rosaceae

Scientific Name: Potentilla concinna

Notes: Grows in dry open prairie.

Diverse-leaved Cinquefoil

Also called: Blue-leaved Cinquefoil

Scientific Name: Potentilla diversifolia

Notes:Could this also be Silver Potentilla(Potentilla argentea), which is considered a weed?

Rough Cinquefoil

Also called:

Family: Rosaceae

Scientific Name: Potentilla norvegica

Notes:Species is found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Flowers are smaller than other cinquefoils.

Wild Rose

Also called:

Family: Rosaceae

Scientific Name: Rosa acicularis

NCC Properties:Lusicich, Kerfoot, Nodwell, Beynon, Connop

Notes:Emblem of Alberta.

Chokecherry

Also called:

Family: Rosaceae

Scientific Name: Prunus virginiana

NCC Properties:Nodwell, Beynon

Notes:The fruit is sour but makes good jams and jellies. The Blackfoot dried the fruit into cakes, which they used as trail food.

Wild Raspberry

Also called:

Family: Rosaceae

Scientific Name: Rubus ideaus

Notes:Berries are edible.

Thimbleberry

Also called:

Family: Rosaceae

Scientific Name: Rubus parviflorus

Notes:Berries are edible.

Rubiaceae Family

(Bedstraw Family)

Northern Bedstraw

Also called:

Family: Rubiaceae

Scientific Name: Galium boreale

Notes:Used as an ornamental, as a type of “baby’s breath”.

Salicaceae Family

(Willow Family)

Balsam Poplar

Also called:

Family: Salicaceae

Scientific Name: Populus balsamifera

NCC Properties:Kerfoot, Beynon, Connop

Notes:Browsed by moose. When leaves fall they cure and are very nutritious. Wood used to make plywood. Warps when wet.

Trembling Aspen

Also called:

Family: Salicaceae

Scientific Name: Populus tremuloides

Notes:Early successional species. Reproduces by suckering, which produces clones. Commercially low-quality wood used for pulp, chopsticks and cheap trailer cupboards.

Willow

Also called:

Family: Salicaceae

Scientific Name: Salix sp?

NCC Properties:Kerfoot, Nodwell, Beynon, Connop

Notes:I encountered many members of the willow family but lacked the tools to identify individual species.

Santalaceae Family

(Sandalwood Family)

Bastard Toadflax

Also called: Pale Comandra

Family: Santalaceae

Scientific Name: Comandra umbellata/pallida

Notes:Parasitic plant that get its food from roots of other plants.

Saxifragaceae Family

(Saxifrage Family)

Round-leaved Alumroot

Also called: Sticky Alumroot

Family: Saxifragaceae

Scientific Name: Heuchera cylindrica

Notes:Inhabits rocky and gravelly slopes. In Alberta, restricted to SW corner of the province.

Alumroot

Also called:

Family: Saxifragaceae

Scientific Name: Heuchera richardsonii

NCC Properties: Kerfoot

Notes:Looks similar to Round-leaved Alumroot but wider distribution in Alberta and inhabits moist sites in prairie grasslands.

Scrophulariaceae Family

(Figwort Family)

Scarlett Paintbrush

Also called: Common Red Paintbrush

Family: Scrophulariaceae

Scientific Name: Castilleja miniata

Notes: Believed to be semi-parasitic due to the paucity of root hairs, which generally serve to absorb water and nutrients from the soil.

Yellow Paintbrush

Also called:

Scientific Name: Castilleja occidentalis

Notes:

Elephant-head

Also called: Little Red Elephant

Scientific Name: Pedicularis groenlandica

Notes: Found in a wet meadow, which is expected for this plant.

Yellow Beardtongue

Also called:

Scientific Name: Penstemon confertus

Notes:Inhabits meadows and open woods. The hairy, sterile stamen resembles a tongue, hence the name.

Crested Beardtongue

Also called:

Scientific Name: Penstemon eriantherus

Notes:

Srubby Beardtongue

Also called:

Scientific Name: Penstemon fruticosus

Notes:Found on dry rocky subalpine and alpine slopes.

Smoothe BlueBeardtongue

Also called:

Scientific Name: Penstemon nitidus

Notes:Leaves are fleshy, opposite and relatively wide.

Common Mullein

Also called:

Scientific Name: Verbascum thapsus

Notes: Introduced from Greece as a medicinal plant and fish intoxicant. Biennial plant. First year only a basal rosette is produced (see inset).

Urticaceae Family

(Stinging Nettle Family)

Common Stinging Nettle

Also called:

Family: Urticaceaa

Scientific Name: Urtica dioica

Notes: Hairs on stem and leaves cause skin rash and inflammation.

Violaceae Family

(Violet Family)

Canada Violet

Also called:

Family: Violoaceae

Scientific Name: Viola canadensis

Notes:

The Mystery Section

Can you help me put names to the following photos?

Very fine , silky feeling seedhead. Observed on Kerfoot property.

Observed on Kerfoot property.

Weedy species observed on Kerfoot property.

Observed on Kerfoot property.

Observed on Connop property, in moist meadow.

marie’s time for nature

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calgary date

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