1. Time for Nature
Botany Blitz
A wildlife ecologist‟s foray
into the unfamiliar world of
plants
by Marie Tremblay
1
2. 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
2
3. 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! 3
4. 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.
4
5. Kerfoot property,
west of Calgary
Date visited:
July 4, 2012
Natural Region:
Rocky Mountain
Natural Subregion:
Montane
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.
5
6. Nodwell property,
east of Calgary
Date visited:
July 5, 2012
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.
6
7. Beynon-Biggs property,
east of Calgary
Date visited:
July 5, 2012
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.
7
8. Connop property
near Turner Valley, SW of Calgary
Date visited:
July 6, 2012
Natural Region:
Rocky Mountain
Natural Subregion:
Montane
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.
8
13. 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.
13
16. 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.
16
17. 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.
17
22. Golden Aster
Also called:
Hairy Golden Aster
Family: Asteraceae
Scientific Name:
Heterotheca villaso/
Chrysopsis villosa
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot
Notes:
Native. Increaser.
Fair forage value.
22
23. 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.
23
24. 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.
24
25. 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.
25
26. Common Dandelions are so ubiquitous,
Dandelion I didn’t think of taking a
photo . . .
Also called:
Family: Asteraceae
Scientific Name:
Taraxacum officinale
NCC Properties:
Lusicish, Kerfoot,
Nodwell, Connop
Notes:
Introduced annual.
26
33. 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.
33
35. Prairie
Sagewort
Also called:
Family: Asteraceae
Scientific Name:
Artemisia ludoviciana
NCC Properties:
Nodwell
Notes: Used by Native
peoples to treat stomach
aches, sinus
ailments, headaches, rheum
atism and colds. Increaser
with over-grazing.
35
36. Long-leaved
Sage
Also called:
Family: Asteraceae
Scientific Name:
Artemisia longifolia
NCC Properties:
Nodwell
Notes: Distribution in
Alberta is restricted to the
SE part of the province.
Occurs on eroded slopes,
shale outcrops and in
badlands.
36
39. Colorado
Rubber Plant
Also called:
Family: Asteraceae
Scientific Name:
Hymenoxys richarsonii
NCC Properties:
Nodwell
Notes:
The roots contain a
rubbery substance that can
be used as chewing gum.
39
40. Woolly
Groundsel
Also called:
Prairie Groundsel, Silvery
Goundsel
Family: Asteraceae
Scientific Name:
Senecio canus/Packera cana
NCC Properties:
Lusicish, Kerfoot, Nodwell,
Connop
Notes:
„Cana‟ means ash-coloured,
which refers to the greyish
surface of the leaves and
stems.
40
42. Creeping
Oregon-grape
Also called:
Family: Berberidaceae
Scientific Name:
Mahonia repens
NCC Properties:
Lusicish
Notes:
This plant had many
traditional 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.
42
48. Yellow
Puccoon
Also called:
Lemonweed,Woolly Gromwell
Family: Boraginaceae
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.
48
49. Tall Bluebells
Also called:
Tall Lungwort
Family: Boraginaceae
Scientific Name:
Mertensia paniculata
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot
Notes:
The fresh leaves are
edible and can be used in
soups or salads.
49
52. Stinkweed
Also called:
Pennycress, Fanflower
Family: Brassicaceae
Scientific Name:
Thlapsi arvense
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot
Notes:
Introduced from Eurasia.
Affects the flavour of
milk when cattle feed on
this plant.
52
63. Red-osier
Dogwood
Also called:
Family: Cornaceae
Scientific Name:
Cornus sericea
NCC Properties:
Nodwell
Notes:
Browsed by moose.
Leaves cure on the ground
and are very nutritious.
Used as an ornamental
due to red stems.
63
65. 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.
65
69. Rocky Mountain
Juniper
Also called:
Family: Cupressaceae
Scientific Name:
Juniperis scopularum
NCC Properties:
Lusicich
Notes:
Long-lived species;
typically 200-300 years
but sometimes up to 1,500
years. 69
73. Wolfwillow
Also called: Silverberry
Family: Elaeagnaceae
Scientific Name:
Elaeagnus communtata
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot, Nodwell
Notes:
Flowers give off a pungent
smell that is offensive to
some (including me).
73
74. Buffaloberry
Also 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.
74
76. 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.
76
78. Common
Bearberry
Also called: Kinnikinnick
Family: Ericaceae
Scientific Name:
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi
NCC Properties:
Lusicich
Notes:
Indicator of acid soils.
Bears eat the fruit.
Used as an ornamental.
78
79. Dwarf
Blueberry
Also called:
Family: Ericaceae
Scientific Name:
Vaccinium caespitosum
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot
Notes:
Berries are juicy and
sweet. They were widely
used by native peoples
either fresh or dried.
79
81. Field
Milkvetch
Also called: Purple
Milkvetch
Family: Fabaceae
Scientific Name:
Astragalus agrestis
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot, Nodwell
Notes: Members of
the pea or legume
family are important
ecologically due to their
role as nitrogen-fixers.
81
82. Indian
Milkvetch
Also called: Purple
Milkvetch
Family: Fabaceae
Scientific Name:
Astragalus australis
NCC Properties:
Lusicich
Notes: Grows in
prairies and mountain
meadows.
82
83. Wild Vetch
Also called:
Family: Fabaceae
Scientific Name:
Vicia americana
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot, Nodwell,
Connop
Notes:
Might also be Few-
Flowered Milkvetch.
83
84. Creamy
Peavine
Also called: Cream-coloured
Vetchling
Family: Fabaceae
Scientific Name:
Lathyrus ochroleucus
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot, Nodwell, Connop
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.
84
86. Yellow
Hedysarum
Also called: Yellow
Sweet-vetch
Family: Fabaceae
Scientific Name:
Hedysarum sulphurescens
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Kerfoot
Notes: Important food
for grizzly bears, which
feed off the roots in
spring and fall.
86
87. 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.
87
88. Yellow
Sweetclover
Also called:
Family: Fabaceae
Scientific Name:
Melilotus officinale
NCC Properties:
Nodwell
Notes: Introduced from
Europe as a forage plant.
88
89. White
Sweetclover
Also called:
Family: Fabaceae
Scientific Name:
Melilotus alba
NCC Properties:
Nodwell
Notes: Introduced from
Europe as a forage plant.
Invader. Good forage
value. Commonly used in
reclamation as part of
reseeding mixes.
89
90. Late Yellow
Locoweed
Also called:
Family: Fabaceae
Scientific Name:
Oxytropis monticola
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Kerfoot
Notes:
Native. Toxic; causes
horse to go crazy and
photosensitivity in cattle.
Increaser with
overgrazing.
90
91. Showy
Locoweed
Also called:
Family: Fabaceae
Scientific Name:
Oxytropis splendens
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Kerfoot
Notes:
Found in prairie
grasslands and open
woods. Very striking.
91
92. Golden Bean
Also called:
Family: Fabaceae
Scientific Name:
Thermopsis rhombifolia
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot, Nodwell, Connop
Notes:
Poisonous; ingestion will
cause respiratory
paralysis. Native peoples
used the flowers to make
yellow dye.
92
93. Red Clover
Also called:
Family: Fabaceae
Scientific Name:
Trifolium pratense
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot
Notes: Introduced
from Europe as a forage
plant. Grows in
disturbed sites and on
lawns.
93
94. White Clover
Also called:
Family: Fabaceae
Scientific Name:
Trifolium repens
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot, Connop
Notes:
Introduced from
Europe. Grows in
lawns and waste
areas.
94
96. White
Geranium
Also called:
Family: Geraniaceae
Scientific Name:
Geranium richardsonii
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Kerfoot, Connop
Notes:
Grows in open aspen and
spruce forest. The leaves
are edible.
96
97. Sticky Purple
Geranium
Also called:
Family: Geraniaceae
Scientific Name:
Geranium viscosissimum
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Kerfoot, Connop
Notes:
Grows in open grasslands,
foothills and coulees.
97
99. Northern
Gooseberry
Also called:
Family: Grossulariaceae
Scientific Name:
Ribes oxyacanthoides
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Kerfoot,
Nodwell, Connop
Notes:
Thorny. The fruit makes
a good jelly.
99
101. Silver-leaved
Scorpionweed
Also called:
Family: Hydrophyllaceae
Scientific Name:
Phacelia hastata
NCC Properties:
Lusicich
Notes:
Grows in dry, open sites
in southern BC and
Alberta.
101
102. Silky
Scorpionweed
Also called:
Family: Hydrophyllaceae
Scientific Name:
Phacelai sericia
NCC Properties:
Lusicich
Notes:
In Alberta, only found in
the Rocky Mountains, in
open woods and on
subalpine slopes.
102
106. Wild Chives
Also called:
Family: Liliaceae
Scientific Name:
Allium schoenoprasum
NCC Properties:
Connop
Notes:
Used by native peoples
to flavour food and
treat colds or coughs.
106
107. Mariposa Lily
Also called:
Family: Liliaceae
Scientific Name:
Calochortus apiculatus
NCC Properties:
Lusicich
Notes:
In Alberta, only found in
extreme SW corner of
the province. The
Blackfoot ate the bulbs of
this plant.
107
108. Western
Wood Lily
Also called:
Family: Liliaceae
Scientific Name:
Lilium philadelphicum
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot, Nodwell
Notes:
Floral emblem of
Saskatchewan. Flowers
are large and incredibly
showy.
108
109. False
Solomon’s-seal
Also called:
Family: Liliaceae
Scientific Name:
Maianthemum racemosum/
Smilacina racemosa
NCC Properties:
Lusicich
Notes:
The young shoots are
edible. Leaf margins are
wavy, in contrast to Star-
flowered Solomon‟s-seal.
109
110. 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.
110
112. White Camas
Also called:
Family: Liliaceae
Scientific Name:
Zigadenus elegans
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Kerfoot, Connop
Notes:
Slightly poisonous to
humans and livestock,
although eaten in large
quantities could be deadly.
112
113. Death Camas
Also called:
Family: Liliaceae
Scientific Name:
Zigadenus venenosus
NCC Properties:
Lusicich
Notes:
Highly poisonous.
113
115. Western Blue
Flax
Also called:
Family: Linaceae
Scientific Name:
Lilum lewisii
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Nodwell
Notes:
Native. Used
agriculturally to produce
linseed oil.
115
117. Fireweed
Also called: Great
Willowherb
Family: Onagraceae
Scientific Name:
Epilobium angustifolium
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot, Connop
Notes: Is the floral
emblem of the Yukon.
Early successional
species; comes in after
fire.
117
119. 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.
119
120. 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.
120
121. Limber Pine
Also called:
Family: Pinaceae
Scientific Name:
Pinus flexilis
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Kerfoot
Notes:
No commercial value.
Branches are very
flexible.
121
122. Douglas-fir
Also called:
Family: Pinaceae
Scientific Name:
Pseudo-tsuga menziesii
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Kerfoot
Notes:
Older trees have a cork-
like bark that is highly
resistant to fire. One o
the largest tree species in
Canada.
122
124. Short-awned
Foxtail
Also called: Little
Meadow-foxtail
Family: Poaceae
Scientific Name:
Alopecurus aequalis
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot, Connop
Notes:
Typically found in
marshes and ditches.
124
125. Crested
Wheatgrass
Also called:
Family: Poaceae
Scientific Name:
Agropyron cristatum
NCC Properties:
Nodwell
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.
125
126. Slender
Wheatgrass
Also called: Awned
Wheatgrass
Family: Poaceae
Scientific Name:
Agropyron trachycaulum
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot
Notes:
Native. Provides
excellent forage for
sheet, cattle and wildlife.
Vulnerable to overgrazing.
126
127. 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.
127
128. Quack Grass
Also called:
Family: Poaceae
Scientific Name:
Elymus repens
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Kerfoot
Notes:
Introduced from Europe.
Highly invasive and rhizomous.
In severely infested fields,
rhyzomes can weigh up to 7-9
metric tons per acre.
128
130. Mountain
Rough Fescue
Also called:
Family: Poaceae
Scientific Name:
Festuca altaica
NCC Properties:
Nodwell
Notes: Native. A
common tufted grass
of dry prairie
grasslands.
130
131. Foxtail Barley
Also called:
Family: Poaceae
Scientific Name:
Hordeum jubatum
NCC Properties:
Nodwell
Notes:
Indicates moderate salt
content in soils. Palatable
in spring; after that awns
cause mechanical damage.
Poor forage value.
Considered an invader.
131
132. Hairy Wild
Rye
Also called:
Family: Poaceae
Scientific Name:
Leymus innovatus
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot
Notes:
I‟m not entirely sure
about species
identification on this
one.
132
133. June Grass
Also called:
Family: Poaceae
Scientific Name:
Koeleria
cristata/macrantha
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot
Notes:
Native. Preferred by
cattle. Good forage value.
Highly nutritious.
133
135. Timothy
Also called:
Family: Poaceae
Scientific Name:
Phleum pratense
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot, Nodwell, Connop
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.
135
137. Yellow
Umbrellaplant
Also called:
Family: Polygonaceae
Scientific Name:
Eriogonum flavum
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot
Notes:
Native peoples mashed
the roots of this plant for
earplugs. Found on dry
plains and gravelly or
rocky slopes.
137
139. Saline
Shootingstar
Also called:
Family: Primulaceae
Scientific Name:
Dodecatheon pulchellum
NCC Properties:
Connop
Notes: Observed in a wet
meadow. Could also be
Dodecatheon conjugens,
which looks very similar and
has an overlapping
distribution.
139
143. Prairie Crocus
Also called:
Pasqueflower
Family: Ranunculaceae
Scientific Name:
Anemone patens
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Kerfoot
Notes: Blooms in early
spring. Forms a hairy
seedhead as shown in
photo.
143
144. Yellow
Columbine
Also called:
Family: Ranunculaceae
Scientific Name:
Aquilegia flavescens
NCC Properties:
Lusicich
Notes:
Observed on open forest
floor. The young leaves
and flowers are edible.
144
145. Meadow
Buttercup
Also called: Tall
Buttercup
Family: Ranunculaceae
Scientific Name:
Ranunculus acris
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot
Notes: Introduced from
Europe. Often found in
overgrazed pastures; is
unpalatable to cattle.
145
146. Western
Meadowrue
Also called:
Family: Ranunculaceae
Scientific Name:
Thalictrum
occidentale
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Kerfoot,
Beynon, Connop
Notes: Grows in aspen
forests and moist
meadows.
146
150. Yellow Avens
Also called:
Family: Rosaceae
Scientific Name:
Geum aleppicum
NCC Properties:
Connop
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?
150
153. White
Cinquefoil
Also called:
Family: Rosaceae
Scientific Name:
Potentilla arguta
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot
Notes:
Grows in moist prairie
grasslands.
153
154. Early
Cinquefoil
Also called:
Family: Rosaceae
Scientific Name:
Potentilla concinna
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot, Connop
Notes:
Grows in dry open prairie.
154
155. Diverse-leaved
Cinquefoil
Also called:
Blue-leaved Cinquefoil
Scientific Name:
Potentilla diversifolia
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot
Notes:
Could this also be
Silver Potentilla
(Potentilla argentea),
which is considered a
weed?
155
156. Rough
Cinquefoil
Also called:
Family: Rosaceae
Scientific Name:
Potentilla norvegica
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot
Notes:
Species is found
throughout the
Northern Hemisphere.
Flowers are smaller
than other cinquefoils.
156
157. Wild Rose
Also called:
Family: Rosaceae
Scientific Name:
Rosa acicularis
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Kerfoot,
Nodwell, Beynon, Connop
Notes:
Emblem of Alberta.
157
158. 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.
158
162. Northern
Bedstraw
Also called:
Family: Rubiaceae
Scientific Name:
Galium boreale
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Kerfoot,
Nodwell, Connop
Notes:
Used as an ornamental, as
a type of “baby‟s breath”.
162
164. 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.
164
165. Trembling
Aspen
Also called:
Family: Salicaceae
Scientific Name:
Populus tremuloides
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot, Connop
Notes:
Early successional species.
Reproduces by suckering,
which produces clones.
Commercially low-quality
wood used for pulp,
chopsticks and cheap trailer
cupboards.
165
166. 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.
166
168. Bastard
Toadflax
Also called: Pale
Comandra
Family: Santalaceae
Scientific Name:
Comandra
umbellata/pallida
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Kerfoot
Notes:
Parasitic plant that get
its food from roots of
other plants.
168
170. Round-leaved
Alumroot
Also called: Sticky Alumroot
Family: Saxifragaceae
Scientific Name:
Heuchera cylindrica
NCC Properties:
Lusicish
Notes:
Inhabits rocky and gravelly
slopes. In Alberta,
restricted to SW corner of
the province.
170
171. 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.
171
173. Scarlett
Paintbrush
Also called:
Common Red Paintbrush
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Scientific Name:
Castilleja miniata
NCC Properties:
Lusicich, Kerfoot
Notes: Believed to be
semi-parasitic due to the
paucity of root hairs,
which generally serve to
absorb water and
nutrients from the soil.
173
174. Yellow
Paintbrush
Also called:
Family:
Scrophulariaceae
Scientific Name:
Castilleja occidentalis
NCC Properties:
Lusicich
Notes:
174
175. Elephant-
head
Also called:
Little Red Elephant
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Scientific Name:
Pedicularis groenlandica
NCC Properties:
Connop
Notes: Found in a wet
meadow, which is
expected for this plant.
175
176. Yellow
Beardtongue
Also called:
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Scientific Name:
Penstemon confertus
NCC Properties:
Lusicich
Notes:
Inhabits meadows and
open woods. The hairy,
sterile stamen resembles
a tongue, hence the name.
176
178. Srubby
Beardtongue
Also called:
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Scientific Name:
Penstemon fruticosus
NCC Properties:
Lusicich
Notes:
Found on dry rocky
subalpine and alpine
slopes.
178
179. Smoothe Blue
Beardtongue
Also called:
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Scientific Name:
Penstemon nitidus
NCC Properties:
Lusicich
Notes:
Leaves are fleshy,
opposite and relatively
wide.
179
180. Common
Mullein
Also called:
Family: Scrophulariaceae
Scientific Name:
Verbascum thapsus
NCC Properties:
Lusicich
Notes:
Introduced from Greece as a
medicinal plant and fish
intoxicant. Biennial plant.
First year only a basal
rosette is produced (see
inset).
180
182. Common
Stinging Nettle
Also called:
Family: Urticaceaa
Scientific Name:
Urtica dioica
NCC Properties:
Kerfoot
Notes:
Hairs on stem and leaves
cause skin rash and
inflammation.
182
