Feature Flora Fact Sheets

2025-11-24

Blooming anywhere from late summer to late fall, aster flowers range from 1 to 5 cm wide with many long thin petals. They have composite flower heads. This means that each flower is actually a group of smaller flowers consisting of ray flowers (petals) surrounding disk flowers (the centre). Disk flowers are usually yellow or burgundy, which make a nice contrast with the blue, purple, violet, or white ray flowers. An added attraction is their sometimes striking purple stems.

2025-11-24

Bearberry leaves are dark green and thick with smooth margins arranged alternatively on the stem; they remain on the bush year-round. Small clusters of white-pink flowers hang down from the tips of branches. This low-growing shrub slowly spreads to form mats, making it a useful groundcover for areas that are not suitable for a lawn or flower garden.

2025-11-24

Also called Brown-eyed Susans, Black-eyed Susans can grow from approximately 30 to 100 centimetres tall on stiff stems that have many bristly hairs. Leaves grow alternately on the stem, with the majority near the base, all having hairs. Flower heads can be up to 10 centimetres wide and are usually a solid yellow with a brown centre but some have variations with both reddy-brown markings and, at times, having a darker yellow near the centre of the flower and paler yellow on the tips of the petals. Rudbeckia hirta blooms in late summer for most areas where they are found.

2025-11-24

The bloodroot flower resembles a water lily and has 8–16 white petals around a golden yellow centre. There are two sepals that fall as the flower opens. The plant’s large, round leaves have several deep lobes. Bloodroot gets its name from its underground stems, also called rhizomes, that contain a red juice. This also inspired its Latin name, Sanguinaria, which means bloody or blood red.

2025-11-24

Blue flag grows from 60 to 90 centimetres tall at maturity. Several showy, purple-blue blooms appear from the end of May to early July. The flowers can be up to 10 cm across and have three showy sepals that gracefully curve down (or flop over, depending on your point of view). They have a splash of white and yellow near the centre and purple veins that probably guide pollinating insects to the food within. There are three paler petals nearer the centre, which are stiffly upright. Several large seeds are formed inside a large brown capsule. Blue flag leaves are long and lance-shaped, like prehistoric grass, sometimes up to 3 cm wide and 80 cm tall.

2025-11-24

The bog willow enjoys a rich, wet bog like environment and the stem can grow from 50 to 150 centimetres tall. The leaves alternate, smooth, ovate to elliptic, two to five centimetres long, up to two cm wide, with green on top and bluish-green underneath. It carries green to brown catkins from May to June. This shrub has all male or all female catkins. This willow also has oval or pear-shaped capsules that contain woolly seeds in its two halves.

2025-11-24

There are two main groups, or genus, of cacti that grow in Canada. Coryphantha (also known as Escobaria) has one native species. It is round with one or a few showy flowers growing on its top. Opuntia, the other group of cacti in Canada, has three native species all of which have flattened oval pads that branch off from one another, and flowers growing at their tips.

2025-11-24

Columbine leaves are typically divided into three-lobed leaflets which give them a delicate look. Anywhere from mid-June to early August, their flower stems reach up above the foliage with blooms that are either nodding or upright. Jones’ columbine is atypical with its compact leaves and short flower stems.

2025-11-24

Whereas the eastern white cedar can grow to 15 to 20 metres tall, its western relation, the western red cedar, can reach a whopping 60 metres. Both can live several hundred years. If the tree has been growing at high altitudes and on cliffs and in cracks where root growth is limited, however, it appears stunted, like small shrubs. They both have green scaly leaves, and their mature bark is brown and stringy-looking. Their seed cones are both small – about one centimetre - but the western species has outward turning points at the end of the scales, whereas the eastern species’ scales are rounded at the tips.

2025-11-24

<p>By Sarah Coulber<br />Canada is home to some of the world&rsquo;s most naturally beautiful areas. While some are still pristine, many of Canada&rsquo;s wild places are challenged by residential and commercial development, herbicide and fertilizer use and run-off, illegal collection and off-road vehicle activity. With this degradation or outright loss, many of Canada&rsquo;s wildlife species are facing an uncertain future.</p>

2025-11-24

Winterberry typically grows to three or four metres tall. Its leaves are widest above the middle with a pointed tip with fine teeth along the edges. Flowers are small and white and either male or female, with only one flower type per plant. Winterberry fruit is bright red-orange and stay on the tree long after the leaves have fallen. They tend to be plump for the beginning of winter but shrivel up by the end of the season.

2025-11-24

native, plants, regional

2025-11-24

The Christmas fern reaches 10 to 60 cm long with fronds (leaves) that have approximately 20 to 40 pairs of pinnae (leaflets). The pinnae are pointy at the tip, while the base has an upward pointing lobe that resembles a thumb in a very long mitten or toes in a sock. The upper pinnae of several fronds are fertile and much smaller, bearing the sori (spore clusters, similar to seeds) on their undersides.

2025-11-24

Bluets are low-growing perennials whose mound of leaves may reach one or two centimetres while the stalked flowers take the plant height up to 10 or 15 centimetres. There are numerous basal leaves and a few small opposite leaves along the stem. The tubular flowers have four petal-like lobes and appear singly atop a thin stem. They are blue with varying degrees of white, and have bright yellow centres.

2025-11-24

<p>By Sara Chesiuk<br />We&rsquo;ve all heard about the ozone layer. We know it&rsquo;s a gas in the sky and that it protects the Earth from harmful UV rays. We&rsquo;ve heard a little something about a hole, a little something about CFCs and a little something about depletion. But knowing &ldquo;a little&rdquo; isn&rsquo;t enough, especially since the ozone layer is vital to our world&rsquo;s well being.</p>

2025-11-24

This plant can stand 20 to 30 centimetres tall with a stem that is hairy. The elliptical small leaves, which are smooth on top and hairy on the bottom, are usually in a group of 8 to 10 measuring 1.5 to 3 centimetres in length. They are attached to the stem by very hairy stalks. Each axis carries several pealike blooms which are white but can be tinged with pink or yellow colours and can be seen in bloom from May to October. This plant carries 2 centimetre long hairy egg-shaped pods that contain one or two brownish seeds which are 4 to 6 centimetres long.

2025-11-24

Our native dogwoods have four-season appeal. With spring come flowers, sometimes showy, sometimes fragrant. Summer brings berries that contrast nicely with the leaves. Autumn leaves are eye-catching, with shades of red and orange and, for some species, a late show of bright berries. For one species, at least, snowy winter affords a stunning contrast of bright red branches against the white snow.

2025-11-24

Herbaceous perennial that can grow to 70 centimetres. Large pink flowers bloom atop hairy stems for several weeks in the summer. It has long narrow leaves, mainly at the base of the plant, that are covered in fine hairs.

2025-11-24

Ferns are known for their lacy look, with leaves (called fronds) divided into leaflets (pinnae). Some species’ leaflets are divided just once, as with the common polypody and Christmas ferns, while others, such as the lady fern, are divided twice (bipinnate).

2025-11-24

Firs, like spruces, are noticeable from a distance because of a conical form whose base is wider than its crown. Balsam and subalpine firs that grow in the open, they have something of a triangular look with a very pointed crown. When growing in dense stands, lower branches may be absent or without needles, having died off from reduced sun exposure and so having changed the shape of the tree.

2025-11-24

While there is variety within the two species, both species and their respective forms, share some basic characteristics. Foamflowers have white blooms that grow on a spike that rises above large heart-shaped or maple-like leaves that can form an attractive ground cover.

2025-11-24

<p>By Annie Langlois<br />The world&rsquo;s forests cover 31 per cent of the global land area.&nbsp; These diverse ecosystems, which include the lush Amazonian jungle and the Canadian boreal forest, are home to about 80 per cent of the world&rsquo;s terrestrial biodiversity. It&rsquo;s no wonder that the United Nations has declared 2011 the International Year of Forests. </p>

2025-11-24

Harebells have bell-shaped purple flowers with five pointed lobes at the tips of each flower. They bloom on thick stalks, from which grow long, thin grass-like leaves. At the base of the plant are small rounded leaves. Harebells reach a height of only 15–45 cm at maturity. Despite their small size, each plant produces an abundance of flowers, though perhaps not as much at greater altitudes and farther north.

2025-11-24

If you look closely at the blossoms, you will see they are clusters of small yellowish flowers in the centre and showy white flowers around the edge. The showy flowers are not fertile and will fall off when the other flowers are pollinated and begin to form fruit. The leaves of the high bush cranberry are similar to a maple leaf but with three distinct lobes, hence the Latin name trilobum. Sometimes the leaves have a smooth margin, or edge, and sometimes they have some teeth or serrations. Variability can exist on the same shrub.

2025-11-24

Liatris have a tall spike of summer blooms that are both soft to touch and in appearance. When in full bloom, some species have the appearance of a solid spire while others, such as Liatris ligulistylis, have blooms that are spaced enough apart to have a knobby look. Their long narrow leaves grow up along the stem in a circular fashion. Liatris suit planting in clumps.

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

Milkweeds are a large group of plants with heights anywhere from 20 to 180 centimetres (0.5 foot to 6 feet) and flowers that range from white and greenish to pale pink and deep magenta.<br><br>Some shared traits of Canada’s milkweeds, however, are a large round or flat cluster of late spring or summer-blooming flowers. Their petals fold backwards on the stem and the centre of the flower is comprised of five hood-like structures within which is a protruding ‘horn’ as well as the plant’s nectar. Their leaves and stems typically have a milky sap, hence their name, Milkweed. Ripe milkweed seed pods are elongated and, once hardened, open with a slit along one side to reveal many brown seeds attached to thin silky white fibres that fluff up to catch the wind and carry their seeds farther afield. <br><br>Many species have thick wide oval shaped leaves arranged oppositely along the stem although some have slightly or extremely narrow leaves as well as have an alternate or whorled arrangement on the stem. They are all generally pointy to some degree at both ends. <br><br>For a breakdown of Canada’s milkweed species, see below.

2025-11-24

One typical characteristic includes leaves that are widest at the middle or base, giving it a pointed look near the outer tip. Flowers have yellow petals with either yellow or dark brown centres, although new varieties include petals that resemble the colour of a rich red wine. The perennial species typically have a more delicate look than their annual cousins.

2025-11-24

The northern bush honeysuckle blooms during the summer with small clusters of tubular yellow flowers found in leaf axils (where the leaves join the stem) and at the tip of the stem. The flowers turn orange-red once pollinated by bees, butterflies and other pollinators that make use of the plant’s nectar and pollen. The stems and new leaves are typically reddish, but the bright fall colours – with leaves ablaze in shades of yellow, orange and red – are more inclined to catch the eye. The leaves are arranged in opposite pairs along the stem and are pointed at the tip with fine serrations (teeth) along the margin (edge).

2025-11-24

<p>By Sara Chesiuk<br />We&rsquo;ve all heard about the ozone layer. We know it&rsquo;s a gas in the sky and that it protects the Earth from harmful UV rays. We&rsquo;ve heard a little something about a hole, a little something about CFCs and a little something about depletion. But knowing &ldquo;a little&rdquo; isn&rsquo;t enough, especially since the ozone layer is vital to our world&rsquo;s well being.</p>

2025-11-24

Pasque flower grows up to 30 centimetres tall and forms a rounded clump, which increases yearly. It never gets out of hand, making it a desirable plant in any gardener’s flower bed. It has one flower with purple petals and yellow stamens, on top of each stem.

2025-11-24

Pearly everlasting can grow to up to nearly a metre tall and can eventually bush out equally as wide. The clusters of white flowers have yellow centres and bloom for many weeks from mid-summer through to early fall. The leaves are long and narrow with a silvery hue, thanks to the fine hairs that cover its leaves and stems.

2025-11-24

The Philadelphia fleabane stands about 30 to 100 centimetres tall. Its leaves are lanceolate and hairy measuring 5 to 15 centimetres long. The flowers are clusters of pinkish, pale purple or white blossoms that can be seen in bloom from May to October. Each blossom is 1 to 2.5 centimetres across and has up to 400 narrow ray florets around a yellow centre.

2025-11-24

White flowers usually bloom before leaves are fully grown. Each flower has five long bright white petals. The flowers usually grow in clusters at the end of new growth, although at least one Canadian species has flowers growing from the leaf axils. They bloom anywhere from March to June, depending on the species and its location. The red or dark purple fruit are typically sweet and juicy, although some, like Amelanchier arborea are drier and don’t have as much flavour. They are all edible although, with local conditions such as soil and weather dictating their exact taste and juiciness.

2025-11-24

The Spotted Joe-pye weed stands between 60 centimetres and 1.8 metres tall. The leaves, which are six to 20 cm long, are also short-stalked, lanceolate, sharp-toothed and occur in whorls of three to five. The flowers are pinkish-purple tubular florets and occur in flat-topped clusters 10 to 14 cm wide. They can be seen in bloom from July to September. Their fruit are seed-like achenes with tuft of soft hair.

2025-11-24

Spruce trees are sometimes confused with other evergreens like pine and fir trees. Pine needles are longer, even those of the Jack pine, and both pine and fir needles tend to be gentler on your fingers than spruce needles when you approach from the tips. The needles of a spruce tree are arranged all around the twig. Spruce needles are four-sided except for the flattened Sitka needles, which have a little dip at the bottom, like the keel of a boat. Another clue that you’re looking at a spruce is if there are little pegs protruding from the twig at the point where the needle attaches.

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

This large shrub typically grows to six to nine metres and has compound leaves, meaning each leaf is composed of several leaflets. These leaflets hang down, have serrations (teeth) along the edges and turn a radiant red or orange in the fall. The thick branches are downy and resemble the velvety antlers of a male deer (stag), hence the common name of “staghorn.” Clusters of small greenish flowers form an upright cone that later form crimson red berries covered in fine hairs.

2025-11-24

Trout lilies are low-growing plants that form colonies of plants of different ages. The youngsters are flowerless and have only one leaf, while older plants produce two leaves and a single flower. A plant’s corm has to reach sufficient depths (10 to 20 centimetres below ground) before it will devote energy to making the additional parts.

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

This vine has a woody stem and leaves composed of five leaflets, arranged palmately — like fingers that spread out from the palm of your hand. Its white flowers bloom by the end of the summer producing dark yet bright blue fruit in the early fall. This is in striking contrast to the brilliant red of its fall leaves.

2025-11-24

2025-11-24

Wild roses have been used by people for centuries, provide food for pollinators, birds and mammals and are even the provincial flower of Alberta. Discover more about the uses, growing requirements and learn all about some Canadian species of this much-loved plant. <p>Native roses have pink blossoms, ranging from very pale to deep tones. They typically bloom around the end of June or early July. Their stems usually have thorns and their compound leaves (comprising several small leaflets) are arranged alternately along the stem. They often have a bushy appearance and interesting fall colour.</p>

2025-11-24

The wood poppy stands up to 40 centimetres tall. The leaves are mainly basal and up to 15 cm long and 6 cm across with a paler underneath with five to seven deeply divided, irregular lobed or toothed segments. The flower is deep yellow with four petals each 2 to 5 cm long; occur in clusters of up to four, blooming in May and early June. The fruit is a greyish hairy seed pod capsule divided into three or four longitudinal segments. All parts have a bitter yellow sap.