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Andy's Northern Ontario WildflowersShore Alvar on Manitoulin Island |
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Habitat:Illustrated on this page are some northern Ontario wildflowers that occur on the shore alvar. Shore alvar consists of limestone or dolomite rock that occurs exposed along the narrow shoreline of Manitoulin Island. Shore alvar lacks soils, is commonly consists of barren exposed rock that has been polished by lake ice, and contains little to block the wind. This is a harsh environment where only a few hardy plants can survive. Vegetation grows in cracks in the dolomite or limestone or in depressions where soil accumulates. Because the division between different habitats is transitional, flowering plants illustrated on this page may occur in other alvar or non-alvar habitats. Because of the nature of the rock (geology), the soils and ponded water is calcareous - limy. This chemical condition is suitable for calciphile plants.
Click
here for more habitat information:
Wild flower List:
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Balsam Ragwort; native perennial; also known as Balsam Groundsel, northern meadow groundsel, northern ragwort. Family: Aster (Asteraceae) Flower: Yellow; daisy-like flower heads in flat-topped clusters; 2.5 cm wide; 8-12 ray flowers and central disk flowers; June-July. Leaves: Basal leaves 1-15 cm long, oblong to lance-shaped; upper stem leaves 2-9 cm long and lobed; alternate; stem leaves are clasping and lobed. Stem: Erect, branched, usually furrowed. Height: 30-60 cm. Habitat: In cracks in limestone pavement alvar adjacent to Lake Huron and in open woodlands.
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Misery Bay. |
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Balsam ragwort basal leaves.
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Misery Bay |
Balsam ragwort flower
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Providence Bay |
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Location:
Manitoulin Island, Misery Bay |
Bearberry; also known as Bears' Grape, Mountain Box, and Kinnikinick; low trailing shrub. Flower:White or pink in terminal clusters; bell-shaped; drooping; 5 fused petals; 5 mm long; May-July. Leaves: Evergreen; 1-4 cm long; smooth, leathery, thick; green on both sides; rounded tip; 1 - 4 cm long. Stem: Woody stems that lie on the ground; has many branches covered with dark flaky bark; forms large mats. Fruit: Dull red berry that is edible, but that are dry and mealy. Habitat: Grows on a range of soils, including coniferous forest with a rocky or sandy soil and on rocky areas and old beach transitions areas related to alvars on Manitoulin Island. Interest: A wash of bearberry leaves is a folk remedy to stop the spread of poison-ivy rash. A wash of bearberry leaves is a folk remedy to stop the spread of poison-ivy rash. The leaves were also used as a tobacco substitute. A yellow dye can be made from the leaves of Bearberry. The Latin name means "bear-cluster, the grape of a bear". |
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Bearberry fruit.
Location:
Manitoulin Island |
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Bird's-eye Primrose; perennial native; Also known as Lake Mistassini primrose, Canadian primrose, Dwarf Canadian primrose, Bird's Eye primrose, Canada Cowslip, Oxlip. Family: Primrose (Primulaceae) Flower: Tubular; light lilac to pink-coloured; yellow centres; 5 notched petals; 1-2 cm in diameter; May - August. Leaves: Oblanceolate to spatulate; some coarse teeth; small; grow in a basal rosette about 1 to 3 cm in diameter; green on both sides, shortstalked. or sessile, and toothed. Stem: Long; leafless and topped with flower cluster. Height: Up to 10 cm. Habitat: Marshes and bogs; wet, calcareous ledges, rocks, shores and slopes commonly found on alvars; argillaceous rocks. Interest: This is one of the early spring-blooming plants. Primula mistassinica is named for Lake Mistassini, a large lake in Québec, where the plant was first discovered.
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Michael's Bay |
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Blue vervain (Verbena hastata); native biennial; also known as Swamp Verbena, False vervain, Hastateleaf vervain, Ironweed, Purvain, Simpler's-joy, Wild hyssop. Family: Vervain (Verbenaceae) Flower: Blue to purple; branching pencil-like spikes of small, 5-petaled flowers; individual flowers are inconspicuous, but flower spikes are showy; only a few bloom at a time advancing toward the pointed tip; July to September. Leaves: Lower may be 3-lobed; opposite, narrow, toothed. Stem: Grooved, 4-sided. Height: up to 0.5 m. Habitat: Roadsides, fence lines, low river banks, beaver dams, lake sides, meadows, pastures, ditches, wet areas on shore alvars, and shores; prefers gravel or loam soils. Interest: Verbena is an ancient name for a scared plant. The name vervain is supposed to signify "enchantment". In folklore, the plant is said to have been discovered on the Mount of Calvary, where it was used to dress the wounds of crucified Jesus Christ. Vervain also is referenced in European folklore: people wore necklaces of the flowers as charms to cure headaches, prevent snake bites, and bring good luck. Priests and Druids were said to use it during rites and incantations.
Location: Burwash |
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Blue vervain flower close up. Note the flower opens from the bottom up along the flower stem. Language of Flowers: Vervain means "enchantment". Source
Location: Kingston |
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Location: West
Belanger Bay, Manitoulin Island |
Bluet; low-growing perennial; also known as Canada summer bluet, Canada bluets, Fringed houstonia. Family: Madder (Rubiaceae) Flower: Purple to white; tubular; +/-3 flowers on terminating stems; May - July Leaves: Opposite; basal leaves have petioles up to 1 cm long; oblong to lanceolate and tapering at base; reddish below, green above; opposing leaves joined at base. Stem: Multiple stems; simple or branching; 4-sided; glabrous and reddish. Height: Up to 15 cm. Habitat: Occurs on rocky or gravelly alvar areas where it is exposed to full sun or partial shade. Other: Different from H. longifolia in that the petal-like lobes are more than half as long as the tubular part of the flower, they have basal leaves that are fringed with fine hairs. Houstonia longifolia’s petal-like lobes are about half as long as the tubular part of the flower and does not usually have basal leaves when the flowers are in full bloom. Note: Some authors include this variety in Houstonia longifolia. This plant was once classified in the Hedyotis genus, but is now generally found listed as Houstonia. |
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Boneset plant; perennial; also known as Common Thoroughwort, Agueweed, Bonesset, Common Boneset, Eupatoire Perfoliee, Eupatorio, Feverwort, Hempweed, Indian Sage, Sweating Plant, Tse Lan, Wasserdost, Waterdost, Eupatorium perfoliatum. Family: Aster (Asteraceae) Flower: Dense, terminal compound heads of flat-topped clusters of dull-white flowers; 10-16 florets; July - September. See photo below. Leaves: Wrinkled; 10-20 cm long; pointed and tapering; stalkless; opposite, finely toothed, lanceolate, unite at base to completely surround the stem; rough above and downy beneath; dark green and shiny on top. Stem: Hairy, cylindrical. Height: 60-120 cm. Habitat: Wet meadows, along streams, in marshes and swamps, and alvars. Other: Native to Mexico and West Indies that has become naturalized in North America. It is thought that the name "Boneset" was derived from the observation that the stem appeared to be growing through the leaves. Therefore, it was thought that the plant was useful for setting bones. In folklore, leaves were wrapped within the bandages used to splinting a broken limb.
Location:
Manitoulin Island, south shore |
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Boneset flower White; numerous small fuzzy heads in rounded, flat-toped clusters. Folklore: Early herb doctors suggested the leaves should be wrapped with bandages to help set broken bones or as a cough and fever remedy for the affects of the flue called "break-bone fevers". Early settlers to North America used boneset extensively. Recent studies indicate that boneset does not have helpful medicinal qualities and may in fact cause kidney and liver damage.
Location: Burwash |
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Brook lobelia or Kalm's Lobelia; perennial; also known as Kalm's Lobelia. Flower: Blue, with white centre; attached to stem by a long stalk; summer to late summer. Leaves: Upper leaves are linear; basal leaves are spatulate; Up to 1 cm long; not commonly toothed. Stem: Slender and branching. Height: 10 to 30 cm. Habitat: Brook lobelia is a wetland species found on alvars, fens, boggy meadows and pastures, and wet rock ledges by waterfalls or lakes. Language of Flowers: Lobelia means "malevolence". Source
Location:
Manitoulin Island |
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Family: Mint (Lamiaceae) Native perennial. Flower: White; 2-lipped; in tiny clusters on stems near leaf axils; July - September. Leaves: Deeply cut, oak-like lodes on lower leaves; opposite, lance-shaped, upper leaves sharply serrated. Stem: Slender and hairy; sparingly branched; square in cross section. Height: up to 30 cm. Habitat: Along the edges of ponds and lakes, wet roadside ditches, along streams, low woods, and wet meadows. Distinctive: Square stem; flowers in leaf axils; no mint smell, deeply lobed leaves. Interest: Water horehound is a member of the mint family; however, it does not have aromatic leaves typical of wild mint. The large, rounded teeth on the leaves distinguish Water Horehound from other species of the Mint family.
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Providence Bay. |
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Close up of distinctive, deeply lobed leaves and white flowers of cut-leaved water horehound.
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Providence Bay. |
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Sticky false asphodel; native perennial; also known as False Asphodel and Sticky Tofieldia. Family: Lily (Liliaceae) Flower: White to creamy white; tipped with deep red which is dominant colour before flowers open; many tiny white flowers in a dense cluster at top of stem; 6 spreading petal-like segments 3-6 mm long with 6 stamens that lie against them; pink or reddish anthers; June - August. Leaves: Long, 5-20 cm, erect and narrow with sheathing stem at base; grass-like and linear. Stem: Supports flower raceme; smooth; slightly sticky because of glands and short hairs. Height: 10 - 50 cm. Habitat: Lime-rich or calcareous areas that are inundated with water each season, such as river edges, shallow rocky areas in rivers that are exposed during low water, ledges, marly bogs. General Interest: This is not a common wildflower. The species name glutinosa refers to the sticky, glandular hairs on the stem beneath the flower clusters.
Location: Murphy
Point, Manitoulin Island |
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Family: Gentian (Gentianaceae) Flower: Blue, single; fringed; up to 4 cm long; tubular; 5 petals; at end of stem; long stalks; July - September. Leaves: Opposite; 2-5 cm long; ovate to lanceolate, rounded at base, pointed tip. Stem: Erect, branched, flower at tip of stem and branches; up to 60 cm tall. Height: 30 - 90 cm. Habitat: Wet areas, damp woodlands, meadows, rocky areas beside lakes or rivers. Distinctive: The fringed flower petals and the blue colour are distinctive. It is a biennial. Interest: The fringed gentian flower opens in the sun and closes at night. This wildflower is becoming rare. Please do not pick. Fringed Gentian is commonly found, or has a tolerance for, damp, sunny meadows associated with magnesium rich rock, such as amphibolite, serpentine, and dolomite-rich alvar. Language of Flower: Means "intrinsic worth". Source
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Misery Bay |
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Fringed gentian flower. Note the delicately fringed petals.
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Misery Bay |
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Marsh Grass-of-Parnasis; Native; perennial herb; also known as Bog-star and Swamp Grass-of-Parnassus. Flower: White; solitary on flowering stem; 5 petals have green or yellow veins and are oval; 8-15 mm long; July - August. Leaves: Mainly basal except for the single stem leaf; simple, egg-shaped; blunt tip; heart-shaped at base; 3-5 cm long and 1-4 cm wide. Stem: Flowering stems are 8-35 cm tall; has 1 clasping leaf below the middle of the stem. Height: Up to 35 cm. Habitat: Moist areas, alvars, often gravel-rich or rocky shores, clearings and ditches, damp calcareous sands. General Interest: Prefers alkaline habitats that are rich in limestone or limestone pebbles. The name is derived from Mount Parnassus in Greece, where the plant also occurs.
Location:
Manitoulin Island |
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Detail of Grass-of-Parnasis flower.
Location:
Manitoulin Island |
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Hairy Rock-cress; Native short-lived perennial or bi-annual; also known as Hairy Rockcress. Family: Mustard (Brassicaceae) Flower: White; Early May to late June. Leaves: Alternate; leaves flare out at the base into a lobe; hairy toward the base, leaf stems are hairy. Stem: Erect, generally single. Height: Generally less than 40 cm in this area. Habitat: Limestone alvar, limestone rocks and walls, dunes and dry banks, gravelly native prairie.
Location:
Barrie Island, Manitoulin Island. |
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Harebell; perennial; also known as Bluebells of Scotland. Family: Bluebell A graceful, and fragile-looking wildflower that grows is some hostile and exposed areas. Flower: Blue to purple, bell-shaped; 2 cm long; 5-petals that flare outward; the flower heads nod from branch tips; its colour is one of the brightest and purest of blue colours; June - September. Leaves: Stem leaves about 7 cm long, numerous, narrow and linear; small roundish basal leaves that wither early and are usually absent. Height: 15 to 45 cm. Habitat: Waste and rock areas near waterfalls, slopes, meadows, and shores. General Interest: This is a tenacious plant that grows in very hostile habitats. Harebell grows in cracks in the rocky shore along lakes and Georgian Bay, where it is exposed to wind and ice and where soil is virtually absent. Harebell is native to the northern areas of Canada, Europe, and Asia. If the plant is not pollinated by insects, harebell is able to pollinate itself. Language of Flowers: Means "grief", retirement", "gratitude", or "submission". Source |
Location:
Manitoulin Island |
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Close up of harebell flower.
Location:
Manitoulin Island |
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Lakeside daisy; also known as Manitoulin Gold and Stemless Rubberweed, Angelita Daisy, Plains Hymenoxys, Stemless Hymenoxys; member of the Sunflower family. Lakeside Daisy is classified as a Threatened Species in Ontario. Flower: Yellow; flower heads are solitary, about 2 cm wide, with pale yellow rays that bend downward at maturity; May - early July. Leaves: Leaves are all basal, silvery green with short hairs, about 5 cm long and up to 1 cm wide. Stem: The plant has no stem. The structure supporting the flower head is a leafless organ called a scape. Height: 8 - 15 cm. Habitat: Occurs in alvar habitats in the Great Lakes region, including crevices in limestone, on cliffs and alvars (shallow soil over limestone) and other open, sunny, generally cool and windy sites. Interest: The lakeside daisy is adapted to rocky, windswept areas because its thick, rubbery leaves store water, allowing the plants to withstand dry spells. Acaulis means "without a stem" in botanical Latin. |
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Misery Bay |
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Location:
Manitoulin, Misery Bay |
Lakeside daisy plants growing on limestone pavement. Note that plants are concentrated along fractures in the limestone, where water and soil accumulate. The fractures are marked by the linear train of plants.
Location:
Manitoulin, Misery Bay |
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Lyre-leaved Rock Cress; Native; biennial or short-lived perennial herb; also known as Lyrate rock-cress, Sand cress. Family:Mustard (Brassicaceae) Flower: White; 4-parted; less than 1 cm wide; flowers occur in a terminal cluster or raceme; the seed pods are long (2-cm), flattened, and project upward; May - July. Leaves: The lower leaves are lyre-shaped and have lobes at the base; the stem leaves generally have no lobes. Stem: Erect stems with many weak branches originate from from a hairy base. Height: Up to 30 cm. Habitat: Rocky and sandy soil, on alvars, rock ledges and cliffs. Interest: The Greek word "Arabis" means "mustard" or "cress". The Greek word "Arabia" may refer to the ability of the plant to grow in rocky or sandy soils. |
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Misery Bay west |
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Location:
Manitoulin Island, Carter's Bay |
Typical form of Lyre-leaved rock cress - branching.
Location: Misery
Bay, Manitoulin Island |
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Flower: Yellow; starlike; 5 petals on top of stalk; June-July. Leaves: Tiny flat fleshy leaves; succulent. Stem: Branched. Height: 2-5 cm. Other: Alien; found also on rocky beaches. It is possible that this plant escaped from cultivation. Interest: Cacti, including sedum, have an interesting way to conserve water during the very hot, dry, desert weather typical of their environment. These plants only open their stomates during the cool of the night. However, this means the plants do not get CO2 from the atmosphere that is needed by the plant to create sugars, by a photosynthesis reaction that takes place during the daytime. The adaptation goes like this: at night, the plants open their stomates and take in CO2; that CO2 is stored in various organic compounds; during the daytime, when the light-based photosynthesis takes place, but the stomates are closed, the plants take the CO2 from the organic compounds.
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Providence Bay |
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Mossy Stonecrop flower Language of Flowers: Stonecrop means "tranquility". Source
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Shequiandah Museum |
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Location:
Manitoulin Island, south shore |
Ohio goldenrod; perennial herb. Family: Aster (Compositae or Asteraceae) Flower: Yellow; large umbrella-shaped head with hundreds of tiny yellow flowers; flat-topped; June to October. Leaves: Flat, not triple-nerved; long, erect, upward-pointing. Stems: Erect. Height: 40 0 90 cm. Habitat: Characteristic of calcareous fens and common in moist areas, such as Alvars, beaches, ditches, moist meadows. Interest: Can be confused with Riddell's goldenrod (Solidago Riddellii), which occurs in similar habitats; however, S. Riddellii has leaves that are are sickle-shaped, folded, and triple-nerved, and its inflorescence is hairy. Solidago comes from the Latin word solido meaning "to strengthen; to make solid". Ohioensis is the Latin word meaning "of Ohio".
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Ohio goldenrod plant growing in the alvar habitat.
Location:
Manitoulin Island, south shore |
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Pringle's aster; perennial; also known as Frost Aster, Heath Aster, and Old Field Aster. Family: Asteraceae (Aster) Note: There are two varieties found in Ontario: a) The var. pilosus has robust shoots with pyramid-shaped flower structures; and b) var. pringlei consists of small plants that have smooth stems (see Semple et al. 1996 for discussion). Flower: White rays; 15-35 rays, 3-8 mm long and up to 1.2 mm wide; yellowish disc flower structures that become purple with age; few to many flowers; bracts are green-tipped; July - September. Leaves: Stem leaves are linear, very narrow or grass-like; alternate; has basal rosette of leaves (not illustrated). Stem: Slender, erect, branched towards the top where flowers occur. Height: Up to 50 cm. Habitat: Smaller plants occur on marshy areas of sandy soils and alvars. Distinctive: Grass-like leaves and small, aster flower.
Location:
Providence Bay area, Manitoulin Island |
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Pringle's Aster plant growing in a crack in limestone pavement (alvar).
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Murphy Point |
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Rock Sandwort; native; annual or short-lived perennial; also known as Texas Sandwort, Stiff Sandwort, Michaux's stitchwort. Family: Pink (Caryophyllaceae) Flower: White; 0.5 cm across maximum; five-petals and 5 sepals that are shorter than the petals; petals rounded or slightly notched; June - early July. Leaves: Opposite, needlelike; arranged in whorls about the stem; tufts of shorter leaves in axis; often matted mass or clump. Stem: Mass of numerous, moos-like, fine, thread-like stems; up to 3 flower heads on a stem. Height: Up 20 cm. Habitat: Found on rocky soils or limestone pavement or alvar in this area; full sun; adapted to calcareous soil. General Interest: This species grows well in a limestone rock garden, but it is difficult to transplant. In addition, the plant is easily overgrown by woody species through succession, destroyed by trampling; and intolerant of soil compaction. Reference: see Morton et al. (2000).
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Misery Bay. |
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Rock sandwort leaves. Note whorl of grass-like leaves around stem.
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Misery Bay.
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Rock sandwort plant. Note moss-like appearance.
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Misery Bay. |
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Sand Cherry; native perennial shrub; Also known as Beach plum, Dwarf American Cherry, Great Lakes sand cherry. Family: Rosaceae (Rose) Flower: White; 5 petals; clusters of 2-4 flowers occur in leaf axils; 25-30 stamens; June. Leaves: Alternate; narrow (10 to 18 mm wide) oblanceolate; dark green; 4-7 cm long; entire to finely toothed; lustrous on top surface and pale on lower surface. Stem: Twigs are red but become gray with age. Height: Up to 0.5 m high and 1 m. spread; prostrate growth. Fruit: Turn a deep blackish purple; larger than choke cherry fruit; favourite fruit for wildlife; the fruit are edible; June-July. Habitat: The Great Lakes sandcherry is often found on well drained glacial sand plains or sand dunes bordering larges bodies of water, on alvars, along gravel bars or shorelines, on cliff faces, rocky slopes, and on calcareous. Interest: Sandcherry has an important role of stabilizing the sand dune.
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Providence Bay |
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Sandcherry fruit.
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Providence Bay |
Sandcherry shrub illustrating a prostrate form, growing close to the surface of limestone pavement. Note that the shrub is rooted in a karst crack in the limestone.
Location:
Manitoulin Island, Misery Bay west
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Showy Lady's Slipper; native perennial; also known as Queen Lady's Slipper, Pink-and-white Lady's Slipper Family: Orchid (Orchidaceae) Flower: White slipper with a pink colour; petals and sepals are waxy white; the two petals spread out like wings; the dorsal sepal arches over, while the two lateral sepals are joined into one and occur behind the flower; the triangular-shaped, white and yellow, sterile stamen occurs over the round entrance of the slipper; 1 to 3 flowers per stem; mid-June - July. Leaves: 3 to 6 in total; up to 16 cm wide and 25 cm long; strongly ribbed; hairs; sheaths the stem. Stem: Leafy. Height: 20 - 80 cm. Habitat: Swampy or moist woods, openings in cedar swamps, and occasionally in open ditches, or moist fen-like shore areas. Interest: The scientific name "reginae" is a tribute to its beauty. It is the largest and showiest orchid flower in Canada. Hairs on the plant are irritating and may cause an ichy rash on some people. As a calcicole plant, it does not tolerate acidic soil. This was originally the provincial flower for Prince Edward Island, chosen in 1947, but because it is so rare on the island, pink lady slipper (Cypripedium acaule) replaced it as PEI's provincial floral emblem. A [lant may live for as long as 50 years. Reproduction is largely by chance. The plant can't self-pollinait has no nectar to attract insects, so they rely on the chance that a randon insect pollinates them. When pollinated, a single flower may produce up to 35,000 seeds. If a seed finds its way to the wet habitat, where it may take up to 7 years for their root systems and first leaves to develop.
Location: South
Bay Mouth, Manitoulin Island |
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Frontal view of Lady's Slipper orchid flower.
Location: South
Bay Mouth, Manitoulin Island |
Side view of Lady's Slipper orchid flower.
Location: South
Bay Mouth, Manitoulin Island |
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Shrubby Cinquefoil (Shrubby Potentilla); botanical name for a group of hardy perennials and shrubs; is the only shrubby species among the cinquefoils. Flower: Yellow; saucer-shaped; June to September. Leaves: Smooth-edged; compound with 3 - 7 leaflets, but generally 5, hence the name "cinquefoil"; Stem: Woody shrub; the bark is reddish-brown and shreds easily. Height: up to 1 m. Habitat: Hot and dry locations or moist partial shade areas, such as alvars, open fields, edges of rivers, and rocky areas. Interest: "Potentilla" means potent. Historically, the entire plant can be gathered as medicine to reduce inflammation of gums and tonsils, the tannin was used in the tanning of leathers, and the plant was used to stop the flow of blood when applied directly to open cuts; also used as a fever-reducing agent. The leaves have been used to make tea. Potentilla is a popular "home gardener" shrub because it is easy to grow, showy, is low maintenance and is tolerates dry conditions.
Location:
Manitoulin Island, south shore |
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Shrubby St. Johnswort; spreading deciduous shrub; native to North America. Flower: Yellow; 2-3 cm wide; 5 petals, 5 sepals, numerous stamens; the large fluffy stamens at the centre of the flower are diagnostic; July - August. Leaves: 5 cm long; opposite, linear to oblong; clusters of tiny leaves present in axils of larger leaves. Stem: Branching. Height: Up to 1 m. Habitat: Found on rocky soils or limestone pavement in this area. General Interest: Shrubby St. Johnswort is one of the few plants that will grow under the Black Walnut tree. It does well in dry soils and in full sun. Hypericum is a Latin modification of a Greek name for a European species of the genus. Prolificum means "abundant in number".
Location: Killarney |
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Across: Shrubby St. Johnswort leaves. Note the tiny leaves in the axils of the larger leaves.
Location:
Manitoulin Island
Below: Shrubby St. Johnswort flowers. Note the numerous, large stamens on the flower.
Location: Killarney
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Location:
Belanger Bay, Manitoulin Island |
Silverweed; also known as Crampweed, Five fingered grass, Five-leaf grass, Five-leaf, Five-fingers, Five-Finger Blossom, Goosegrass, Goose tansy, Moor grass, Rough-fruited Silverweed, Silver cinquefoil, Potentilla. Family: Rose (Rosaceae) Flower: Yellow, 5 petals, present on runners and stalks. Leaves: 5-parted radial leaves; the underside of the leaf is covered with silver-coloured fine hairs. Stems: Prostrate stems, rooting at nodes. Height: Hugs ground. Habitat: Common on moist areas, such as Alvars, beaches, ditches, moist meadows. Interest: The presence of the silver-coloured hairs on the underside of the leaf gives the plant its name "silverweed". The plant spreads by red-coloured runners above ground to form large patches of plants. Language of Flowers: Means "beloved child", "a beloved daughter", or "maternal affection". Source |
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Silverweed leaves. Note the "silver" colour that helps to reflect the Sunlight.
Location:
Misery Bay west, Manitoulin Island |
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Family: Milkweed (Asclepiadaceae) Flower: Deep pink; clustered at top of stem; flowers 6 mm wide; 5 recurved petals and elevated central crown; June - August. Leaves: Opposite; up to 10 cm long. Stem: Tall, up to 1.2 m; branching, crowned by flower clusters. Fruit: Elongated pod up to 10 cm long, but are slender and tapered at both ends; opens along one side. Height: 30 to 120 cm. Habitat: Wet areas such as ended of lakes, swamps, alvars. Distinctive: Flower form is distinctive of milkweeds. Juice is less milky compared to other milkweeds. Language of Flowers: Milkweed means "hope in misery". Source
Location:
Manitoulin Island |
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Swamp milkweed flower.
Location: Great La
Cloche Island |
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Wild Chives; Native perennial; also known as Purple onion, Prairie Onion, Wild Onion, Wild garlic, or Fall Glade Onion.. Family: Alliaceae Flower: Rose-pink, lilac; darker centre line; tubular-bell-shaped; flowers form a dense terminal cluster; up to about 30 in a round cluster; flowers consist of 6 petals that spread slightly at the tip to form the bell; late May - June. Leaves: Straw-like, round, hollow; about 2 mm in diameter. Stems: Stem rises from tiny bulbs to produce a typical onion-like stem topped by lavender flowers. Height: 20 - 50 cm. Habitat: Moist alvar and calcareous meadows, open alvar; often with wet ground in the spring. Interest: Circumpolar; smells like onion; the name Allium is the Latin for garlic.
Location:
Mississagi Lighthouse, Manitoulin Island |
For more
information email: ajfyon@vianet.on.ca
URL: http://www.ontariowildflower.com/manitoulin_alvar_shore.htm
© 2009 Andy Fyon
Sudbury, Ontario
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Page Created By: |
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Date last modified: |
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Andy Fyon |
August 22, 2009 |
