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Wildflowers of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden The popularity of wildflower gardening has led to an increased interest in seeing these plants in the wild. Here at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden (FWG), we provide a little bit of that "wild" where you can see a diverse mix of native and nonnative wildflowers growing in profusion. It is worth visiting our 7-hectare site several times during the year as each season brings its own delights. To make your visit more enjoyable, tuck a wildflower field guide and a small hand-lens into your pocket and pick up a copy of our trail guide with its map of the garden. Our list is by no means complete, and because plants come and go as conditions change and we are always planting native species, you may see something not listed here. If so, please contact us: (Fletcher Wildife Garden). HELP CONSERVE We know how tempting it is to pick flowers, but please don't! Uprooting or picking plants before they have had a chance to set seed means fewer plants will grow in subsequent years. Many of these plants are also an important food source for wildlife. Butterflies and bees feed on the nectar and birds and small mammals depend on the seeds. SPRING Spring is brief in our part of the world, and the earliest flowers are just as short-lived. Many of these "spring ephemerals" grow in woodlands, appearing just before the trees leaf out, shortly after the last snow has melted. One of the earliest in our woods is bloodroot whose single large deeply-lobed leaf embraces the stalk of the pure white flower. Later on as spring warms up you might see Jack-in-the-pulpit, whose tiny yellow flowers are actually encased in the green, purple-striped tube or spathe (the pulpit) and, therefore, are seldom seen. Most North American woodland flowers are native; the introduced species, often dependent on sunlight, cannot survive in such shady conditions. An exception here is the very invasive dog-strangling vine or swallow-wort which grows equally well in sun or shade and in any soil conditions. We are working to remove or at least control it in the FWG to allow other plants room to grow. Many woodland plants have relatively big leaves. This larger surface area allows them to intercept the meagre sunlight filtering through the forest canopy and enables photosynthesis to occur. SUMMER Summer brings out the true glory of the garden's plant life for this is the season of greatest diversity and colour. Check out the Old Field habitat and other open grassy areas where you'll see a surprising number of plants. The earliest colonizers of disturbed sites are nonnative species, such as the tall yellow and white sweet clovers. However, as succession occurs, native species should dominate. Already we see many goldenrods, asters and the yellow evening primrose — all indigenous wildflowers. Other introduced plants of disturbed sites are the Canada thistle and bull thistle. Interestingly, these thistles are one example of how some animals have exploited certain introduced species for their own use: butterflies sip their nectar while American goldfinches use thistle down for nesting and feed voraciously on their seeds. Native or not? Many familiar, roadside wildflowers, such as Queen Anne's lace and chicory, are not native, but plants brought to North America by European settlers in the last century. Escaping cultivation long ago, they naturalized to such an extent they now seem part of our native flora. Some of these alien or introduced species such as purple loosestrife are extremely aggressive, particularly in meadows and wetlands where they have displaced native species. Others are less destructive. At the FWG, we are removing rampant alien species while allowing those beneficial to wildlife to remain. Very noticeable in mid-summer is milkweed, the plant of monarch butterflies. Because this important specises is still listed as a noxious weed by various levels of government, we need to lobby for changes to protect not only this plant but other prohibited plants and the wildlife dependent on them. On hot summer days, the woods are a cool retreat. Watch for native white snakeroot, a tall plant with clusters of tiny white flowers, and in sunnier openings look for the orange jewel-weed or touch-me-not. Wetland plants are particularly interesting. Our big pond supports a diverse flora. Look for swamp milkweed and the aptly named bur-reed. Summer's end is signalled by the appearance of the first goldenrods. Soon the garden is ablaze with the golden hues of this beautiful native flower. We have at least five species growing here, including the abundant Canada goldenrod. Contrary to popular belief, goldenrod is not responsible for the hay-fever that afflicts many people at this time of year. The culprit is the rather nondescript ragweed which often grows around goldenrod. You may notice round swellings on the stems of goldenrods. These are galls, home to the goldenrod gall fly larvae. Despite appearances, the plants are rarely harmed by this activity. AUTUMN Cooler days and longer nights tell us that the first frost is not far off. Signs of autumn are everywhere in the plant world. Asters replace many of the earlier wildflowers and are synonymous with the season. We have at least three species of aster in the garden, the most common being the New England aster with spectacular deep purple flowers and yellow centres. WINTER Why would you go flowerspotting in winter? Trust us, there are still some interesting things to see, particularly in the open areas. The dead stalks and seed heads rising above the snow are not only beautiful, but provide an interesting challenge to your observation skills. You will certainly see birds feeding on the seeds of many plants. Finches and sparrows particularly relish the tiny seeds of evening primrose, ragweed, peppergrass, and goldenrod. Now and then burdock attracts seed-eaters although this can be a fatal attraction as birds sometimes become entangled in the burs. You can add to the beauty of your own winter garden and help out the birds as well, by not cutting back your flowers until spring. After a winter walk around the garden you may find a variety of seeds have hitched a ride on your clothes. Congratulations! You've just had a quick lesson in seed dispersal. Some plants have developed an interesting way to send forth their seeds to multiply. Encased in velcro-like seed pods which attach themselves to any passing creature, they are readily transported some distance from their parent plant to new ground. Can you think of other ways in which seeds are dispersed? As winter settles in, it sometimes seems that spring will never come again. But, take heart, beneath the snow many wildflowers are alive and well, awaiting only the longer days and warmer temperatures to burst into renewed growth. SPECIES LIST 6 March 2010 This list excludes trees, shrubs, and plants in the Backyard Garden. Also omitted are recently planted species as we are unsure whether some of them will become established; it includes species that were planted more than 5 years ago and that have survived and spread naturally - primarily species planted in the Butterfly Meadow and Ash Woodlot. We thank Irving Dardick for allowing us to link to his collection of Wildflowers and other flora of Eastern Ontario and the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. Other photos are by Christine Hanrahan Asterisks (*) mark the non-native species. EQUISETACEAE Horsetail Family Equisetum arvense Field Horsetail Prêle des champs THELYPTERIDACEAE Marsh Fern Family Thelypteris noveboracensis New York Fern Dryoptéride de New York DRYOPTERIDACEAE Woodfern Family Athyrium filix-femina Lady Fern Athyrium fourgère-femelle Dryopteris marginalis Marginal Woodfern Dryoptéride marginale Dryopteris spinulosa Spinulose Woodfern Dryoptéride spinuleuse Matteuccia struthiopteris Ostrich Fern Matteuccie fougère-à-l'autruche Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive Fern Onoclée sensible TYPHACEAE Cat-tail Family Typha angustifolia Narrow-leaved Cat-tail Quenouille (ou Typha à feuilles étroites) SPARGANIACEAE Bur-reed Family Sparganium chlorocarpum Green Bur-reed Rubanier à fruits verts ALISMATACEAE Water-plantain Family Sagittaria latifolia Broad-leaved Arrowhead Sagittaire latifoliée BUTOMACEAE Flowering Rush Family Butomus umbellatus Flowering-rush* Jonc fleuri (ou Butome à ombelle)* POACEAE Grass Family Agropyron repens Quack Grass* Chiendent* Agrostis gigantea Red-top Tremme Alopecurus pratensis Meadow Foxtail Grass* Vulpin des prés* Bromus inermis Common Brome Grass* Brome inerme* Dactylis glomerata Orchard Grass* Dactyle pelotonné* Digitaria sp. Crab Grass* Digitaire* Echinochloa crusgalli Barnyard Grass* Échinochloa pied-de-coq* Festuca rubra Red Fescue* Fétuque rouge* Glyceria maxima Giant Manna Grass* Grande glycérie* Hordeum jubatum Foxtail Barley* Orge agréable* Leersia oryzoides Rice Cut-grass Léersie faux-riz Lolium perenne Perennial Rye grass* Ivraie vivace* Panicum capillare Witch Grass Panic capillaire Phalaris arundinacea Reed Canary Grass* Phalaris roseau* Phleum pratense Timothy* Mil* Poa compressa Canada Blue Grass* Pâturin comprimé* Poa pratensis Kentucky Blue Grass* Pâturin des prés* Setaria viridis Green Foxtail* Sétaire verte* CYPERACEAE Sedge Family Carex pedunculata Long-stalked Sedge, Peduncled Sedge Carex pédonculé Carex scoparia Broom Sedge Carex à balai Scirpus pendulus Drooping Bulrush Scirpe pendant HYDROCHARITACEAE Frog's-bit Family Elodea canadensis Canada Waterweed Élodée du Canada Hydrocharis morsus-ranae Frog's-bit* Hydrocharide grenouillette ARACEAE Arum Family Arisaema triphyllum Jack-in-the-pulpit Petit prêcheur LEMNACEAE Duckweed Family Lemna minor Small Duckweed Lenticule mineure (ou Lentille d'eau) Lemna trisulca Ivy Duckweed Lenticule trisulquée Spirodela polyrhiza Large Duckweed Spirodèle polyrhize COMMELINACEAE Spiderwort Family Commelina communis Dayflower* Comméline commune* JUNCACEAE Rush Family Juncus effusus Common Rush Jonc épars Juncus tenuis Path Rush Jonc ténu LILIACEAE Lily Family Erythronium americanum Trout-lily Érythrone d'Amérique Lilium tigrinum Tiger Lily* Lis tigré* Ornithogalum umbellatum Star-of-Bethlehem* Dame d'onze heures* Polygonatum pubescens Solomon's-seal Sceau-de-Salomon pubescent Smilacina racemosa False Solomon's-seal Smilacine à grapes Smilacina stellata Starry False Solomon's-seal Smilacine étoilée Scilla sibirica Scilla Scille de Sibérie Trillium erectum Red Trillium Trille dressée Trillium grandiflorum White Trillium Trille grandiflore Uvularia grandiflora Bellwort Uvulaire grandiflore ORCHIDACEAE Orchid Family Epipactis helleborine Helleborine* Épipactis petite-hellébore* URTICACEAE Nettle Family Acalypha rhomboides Three-seeded Mercury Acalyphe rhomboïdal Pilea pumila Clearweed Petite ortie (ou Piléa nain) Urtica dioica Stinging Nettle* Ortie élevée* ARISTOLOCHIACEAE Ginger Family Asarum canadense Wild Ginger Gingembre sauvage POLYGONACEAE Knotweed Family Polygonum aviculare Knotweed* Renouée des oiseaux* Polygonum concoluvulus Black Bindweed Renouée liseron Polygonum scandens Climbing False Bindweed Renouée grimpante Polygonum persicaria Lady's Thumb* Renouée persicaire* Polygonum sagittatum Arrow-leaved Tear-thumb Renouée sagittée Rumex crispus Curled Dock* Rumex crépu* Rumex salicifolius Willow Dock Rumex à feuilles de saule CHENOPODIACEAE Goosefoot Family Atriplex prostrata Orache* Arroche hastée* Chenopodium album Lamb's-quarters* Chénopode blanc* Chenopodium strictum Late-flowering Goosefoot Chénopode dressé AMARANTHACEAE Amaranth Family Amaranthus retroflexus Redroot Pigweed* Amarante réfléchie* Amaranthus albus Tumbleweed* Amarante blanche* Amaranthus powellii Powell's Pigweed* Amarante de Powell* CARYOPHYLLACEAE Pink Family Cerastium fontanum Mouse-ear Chickweed* Céraiste visqueux* Dianthus armeria Deptford Pink* Œillet arméria* Saponaria officinalis Bouncing-bet, Soapwort* Saponaire officinale (ou Herbe à savon)* Silene alba White Campion* Compagnon blanc* Silene vulgaris Bladder Campion* Silène cucubale* RANUNCULACEAE Crowfoot Family Actaea pachypoda Doll's Eyes Actée à gros pédicelles Actaea rubra Red Baneberry Actée rouge Anemone canadensis Canada Anemone Anémone du Canada Aquilegia sp. Columbine Ancolie du Canada Clematis virginiana Wild Clematis Clématite de Virginie Ranunculus abortivus Small-flowered Buttercup Renoncule abortive Ranunculus acris Common Buttercup* Bouton d'or* MENISPERMACEAE Moonseed Family Menispermum canadense Moonseed Ménisperme du Canada PAPAVERACEAE Poppy Family Chelidonium majus Celandine* Chélidoine majeure* Sanguinaria canadensis Bloodroot Sanguinaire du Canada BRASSICACEAE Mustard Family Alliaria officinalis Garlic Mustard* Alliaire officinale* Barbarea vulgaris Yellow-rocket* Barbarée vulgaire* Berteroa incana Hoary-alyssum* Alysson blanc* Brassica kaber Charlock, Wild Mustard* Moutarde sauvage* Capsella bursa-pastoris Shepherd's-purse* Bourse-à-pasteur* Erucastrum gallicum Dog Mustard* Moutarde des chiens* Erysimum cheiranthoides Wormseed Mustard* Vélar giroflée* Hesperis matronalis Dame's Rocket* Julienne des dames* Iberis sempirvirens Candytuft* Ibéris toujours vert* Lepidium densiflorum Pepper-grass* Lépidie densiflore* Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard* Sisymbre officinal* Thlaspi arvense Field Penny-cress* Tabouret des champs* SAXIFRAGACEAE Saxifrage Family Mitella diphylla Mitrewort Mitrelle à deux feuilles Tiarella cordifolia Foamflower Tiarelle cordifoliée ROSACEAE Rose Family Agrimonia gryposepala Hooked Agrimony Aigremoine à sépales crochus Filipendula rubra Queen of the Prairie Filipendule reine des prairies Fragaria virginiana Common Strawberry Fraisier de Virginie Geum aleppicum Yellow Avens Benoîte d'Alep Potentilla argentea Silvery Cinquefoil* Potentille argentée* Potentilla recta Rough-fruited Cinquefoil* Potentille dressée* Waldsteinia fragarioides Barren-ground Strawberry Waldsteinie faux-fraisier FABACEAE Bean Family Lathyrus sylvestris Everlasting Pea, Sweet pea* Gesse des bois* Lotus corniculatus Bird's-foot Trefoil* Lotier corniculé* Lupinus sp. Lupine* Lupin* Medicago lupulina Black Medick* Luzerne lupuline* Melilotus alba White Sweet-clover* Trèfle d'odeur* Melilotus officinalis Yellow Sweet-clover* Trèfle d'odeur jaune* Trifolium agrarium Hop Clover* Trèfle jaune* Trifolium hybridum Alsike Clover* Trèfle hybride* Trifolium pratense Red Clover* Trèfle rouge* Trifolium repens White Clover* Trèfle blanc* Vicia cracca Cow Vetch* Vesce jargeau* Vicia tetrasperma Slender Vetch* Vesce à quatre graines* GERANIACEAE Geranium Family Geranium robertianum Herb Robert* Herbe à Robert* OXALIDACEAE Wood-sorrel Family Oxalis stricta Wood Sorrel Oxalide dressée BALSAMINACEAE Touch-me-not Family Impatiens capensis Spotted Touch-me-not, Jewel-weed Impatiente du cap VITACEAE Grape Family Parthenocissus vitacea Virginia Creeper Vigne vierge Vitis riparia River Grape, Wild Grape Vigne des rivages MALVACEAE Mallow Family Malva moschata Musk Mallow* Mauve musquée* Malva sylvestris High Mallow* Mauve des bois* HYPERICACEAE St. John's-wort Family Hypericum perforatum Common St. John's-wort* Millepertuis commun* VIOLACEAE Violet Family Viola blanda Sweet White Violet Violette agréable Viola odorata Sweet Violet* Violette odorante* Viola pubescens Downy Yellow Violet Violette pubescente LYTHRACEAE Loosestrife Family Decodon verticillatus Water-willow Décodon verticillé Lythrum salicaria Purple Loosestrife* Salicaire pourpre* ONAGRACEAE Evening-primrose Family Circaea alpina Enchanter's-nightshade Circée alpine Circaea quadrisulcata Enchanter's-nightshade Epilobium glandulosum Northern Willow-herb Épilobe glanduleux Oenothera biennis Common Evening-primrose Onagre de Victorin Oenothera parviflorum Small-flowered Evening Primrose Onagre parviflore ARALIACEAE Ginseng Family Aralia nudicaulis Sarsaparilla Salsepareille APIACEAE Carrot Family Daucus carota Queen Anne's Lace, Wild Carrot* Carotte sauvage* Osmorhiza claytonii Sweet Cicely Osmorhize de Clayton Pastinaca sativa Wild Parsnip* Panais cultivé* PRIMULACEAE Primrose Family Lysimachia punctata Garden Loosestrife* Lysimaque ponctuée* APOCYNACEAE Dogbane Family Apocynum androsaemifolium Spreading Dogbane Apocyn à feuilles d'Androsème Vinca minor Periwinkle* Pervenche mineure* ASCLEPIADACEAE Milkweed Family Asclepias syriaca Common Milkweed Asclépiade commune Cynanchum rossicum Pale Swallow-wort, Dog-strangling Vine* Cynanche pâle* CONVOLVULACEAE Morning-glory Family Convolvulus arvensis Small Bindweed* Liseron des champs* BORAGINACEAE Borage Family Cynoglossum officinale Hound's Tongue* Cynoglosse officinal* Echium vulgare Viper's Bugloss* Vipérine vulgaire* Hackelia virginiana Virginia Stickseed Hackélia de Virginie Lithospermum officinale Gromwell* Grémil officinal* Symphytum officinale Comfrey* Consoude officinale* VERBENACEAE Vervain Family Verbena hastata Blue Vervain Verveine hastée LAMIACEAE Mint Family Galeopsis tetrahit Hemp Nettle* Galéopside à tige carrée* Glechoma hederacea Ground-ivy* Lierre terrestre* Leonurus cardiaca Motherwort* Agripaume cardiaque* Mentha piperita Spearmint* Menthe poivrée* Mentha sp. Mint species Menthe Nepeta cataria Catnip* Herbe à chats* Origanum vulgare Wild Marjoram* Origan vulgaire* Physostegia virginiana Obedient Plant Physostégie de Virginie Prunella vulgaris Heal-all, Self-heal* Prunelle vulgaire* SOLANACEAE Nightshade Family Physalis heterophylla Clammy Ground-cherry Coqueret hétérophylle Solanum americanum Black Nightshade Morelle d'Amérique Solanum dulcamara Deadly Nightshade* Morelle douce-amère* SCROPHULARIACEAE Figwort Family Chelone glabra Turtlehead Galane glabre Linaria vulgaris Toadflax, Butter-and-eggs* Linaire vulgaire* Penstemon digitalis White Beard-tongue Penstémon blanc Penstemon hirsutus Hairy Beard-tongue Penstémon hirsute Scrophularia lanceolata Figwort Scrofulaire lancéolée Verbascum thapsus Mullein* Molène vulgaire* Veronica longifolia Long-leaved Speedwell* Véronique à longues feuilles* PLANTAGINACEAE Plantain Family Plantago major Common Plantain* Plantain majeur* RUBIACEAE Bedstraw Family Galium mollugo White Bedstraw* Gaillet molugine* CUCURBITACEAE Gourd Family Echinocystis lobata Wild Cucumber Concombre sauvage CAMPANULACEAE Bellflower Family Campanula rapunculoides Creeping Bellflower* Campanule fausse-raiponce* ASTERACEAE Aster Family Achillea millefolium Yarrow Achillée millefeuille Aster ciliolatus Ciliolate Aster Aster ciliolé Aster cordifolius Heart-leaved Aster Aster à feuilles cordées Aster lanceolatus Panicled Aster Aster lancéolé Aster macrophyllus Big-leaf Aster Aster à grandes feuilles Aster novae-angliae New England Aster Aster de la Nouvelle-Angleterre Centaurea jacea Brown Knapweed* Centaurée jacée* Echinacea purpurea Purple Coneflower Échinacée pourpre Eupatorium rugosum White Snakeroot Eupatorium rugueuse Ambrosia artemisiifolia Ragweed Petite herbe à poux Anaphalis margaritacea Pearly-everlasting Immortelle Arctium minus Burdock* Petite bardane* Artemisia vulgaris Mugwort* Armoise vulgaire* Bidens cernuus Nodding Beggarticks Bident penché Bidens frondosus Beggarticks Bident feuillu Cichorium intybus Chickory* Chicorée sauvage* Cirsium arvense Canada Thistle* Chardon des champs* Cirsium vulgare Bull Thistle* Chardon vulgaire* Conyza canadensis Horseweed Vergerette du Canada Erigeron annuus Daisy Fleabane Érigéron annuel Erigeron philadelphicus Philadelphia Fleabane Érigéron de Philadelphie Helianthus grossesseratus Saw-toothed Sunflower* Hélianthe de grande taille* Helianthus laetiflorus? Beautiful Sunflower, Showy Sunflower* Hélianthe à belles feuilles* Helianthus sp. Sunflower sp. Hélianthe sp. Hieracium aurantiacum Orange Hawkweed* Épervière orangée* Lactuca canadensis Canada Lettuce Laitue du Canada Lactuca scariola Prickly Lettuce Laitue scariole Leucanthemum vulgare Ox-eye Daisy* Marguerite* Matricaria matricarioides Pineapple Weed* Matricaire odorante* Rudbeckia hirta Brown-eyed Susan (*?) Rudbeckie hérissée (*?) Solidago sp. Goldenrod sp. Verge d'or sp. Solidago altissima Tall Goldenrod Verge d'or très élevée Solidago canadensis Canada Goldenrod Verge d'or du Canada Solidago flexicaulis Zig-zag Goldenrod Verge d'or à tige zigzaguante Solidago graminifolia Grass-leaved Goldenrod Verge d'or graminifoliée Solidago nemoralis Gray Goldenrod Verge d'or des bois Solidago rugosa Rough Goldenrod Verge d'or rugueuse Sonchus arvensis Sow-thistle* Laiteron des champs* Sonchus asper Spiny-leaved Sow-thistle* Laiteron épineux* Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle* Laiteron potager* Tanacetum vulgare Tansy* Tanaisie vulgaire* Taraxacum officinale Dandelion* Pissenlit* Tragopogon dubius Goat's-beard* Salsifis majeur* MORE INFORMATION If you'd like more information about wildflowers in general, here are a couple of suggestions for further reading: Michael Runtz. Beauty and the Beasts. The Hidden World of Wildflowers. Stoddart, 1994. Brenda Chambers, et al. Forest Plants of Central Ontario. Lone Pine Publishing, 1996. This page was revised on 9 August 2009 Text: Christine Hanrahan, Fletcher Wildlife Garden Management Committee © Fletcher Wildlife Garden Our e-mail address