Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)
This is another species of early spring wildflower which can be found growing in large colonies. The seeds of this species have a nutritious attachment (elaiosome) used to attract ants. The ants bring the seeds back to the colony, feed on the elaiosome then discard the seed which is then free to germinate. Thus ants are responsible for seed dispersal in this species .
Liverleaf (Hepatica sp.)
This is another species of wildflower which blooms in early spring. The common name may be in reference to the liver shaped leaves and/or the dark colour they turn in the fall.
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
Narrow-Leaved Vervain (Verbena simplex)
Yellow Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)
The flowers appear before the leaves in early spring borne on short stalks. Coltsfoot was introduced into North America from Europe/Eurasia and is used as a herbal remedy for coughs.
Blue-Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium)
This plant is not a species of grass at all but rather a unique member of the iris family (Iridaceae).
Fringed Polygala (Polygala paucifolia)
The seeds of this plant are dispersed by ants much in the same way as those of the Trout Lily. However the Fringed Polygala also has self fertilizing underground flowers whose seeds are also dispersed by ants.
Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Butterflies will often be found feeding from the large showy flowers of this species. As the common name implies this species is often found in close proximity to water.
Leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata)
As is characteristic of many bog species leatherleaf doesn't loose its leaves in the fall. By doing so the plant can retain the energy and nutrients it would otherwise lose if it shed its leaves every fall.
Common St. Johns Wort
(Hypericum perforatum)
Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculata)
This species was introduced from Europe and can be extremely common. The common name refers to the slender seedpods which resemble the foot of a bird. Birdsfoot trefoil is able to fix atmospheric nitrogen with the help of nitrogen fixing bacteria which it houses in root nodules.
Swamp Candles (Lysimachia terrestris)
Unidentified Basidiomycete
Basidiomycetes are otherwise known as gill fungi as the underside of the cap (pileus) bears gill like spore producing structures. Each gill is covered in basidia which give rise to 4 basidiospores per basidium.
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
When cut this plant exudes a reddish-orange sap hence the common name. The sap was used as a dye by native peoples. Bloodroot blooms in early spring and the flowers disappear quickly.
Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans)
This is yet another species which was introduced from Europe. Musk thistle can become very common in disturbed sites and may take up significant portions agricultural fields.
Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)
The stamens and pistil of this flower mature at different times to ensure cross pollination. The petals bear fleshy nectar glands which are visited by nectar feeding insects. Petals/stamens number 5-6 while the flower colour varies from green to purple.
Painted Cup (Castilleja coccinea)
Ghost Pipe (Orobanche uniflora)
Sweetbrier (Rosa eglanteria)
The aromatic foliage of this plant can be used to make tea. The crushed leaves smell somewhat like apples.
Grass Pink (Calopogon pulchellus)
Pale Laurel (Kalmia polifolia)
This genus was named after Peter Kalm (1716-1779) who collected plants all over North America. The genus has only 8 species found in North America and Cuba. This particular specimen was found growing on a sphagnum bog mat in Alogonquin Park.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)
Buttonbush belongs to the Madder Family (Rubiaceae) which is one of the largest flowering plant families with over 6000 species. The genus name Cephalanthus comes from the Greek word kephale for head and anthos for flower.
Kalm's St. Johnswort (Hypericum kalmianum)
Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana)
The wood of this tree is the densest in Canada and is often used to make tool handles. The inflated sacs each containing a single seed resemble hops thus inspiring the other common name for this tree "Hop-hornbeam".
Indian Pipe (Monotropa uniflora)
This is another example of a saprophytic plant species which gains its nutrients via mycorrhizal fungi which in turn are tied to symbiotic relationships with certain trees. Thus this plant ultimately gets the nutrients required to grow from photosynthesis even though it cannot carry out photosynthesis itself.
Meadowsweet (Spirea alba)
Butterfly Milkweed
(Asclepias tuberosa)
Blue Beech
(Carpinus caroliniana)
This tree, like ironwood, also has very dense wood which is used for various tool handles. As is shown in this photo each nut is contained within a single leaf like bract. This is the only species in the genus Carpinus which is native to North America.
Thistle (Cirsium sp.)
Ox-eye Daisy
(Chrysanthemum leucanthemum)
Hobblebush
(Viburnum alnifolium)
The large showy flowers surrounding the smaller central flowers are actually sterile and are used to attract pollinators.
Painted Trillium
(Trillium undulatum)
Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus
(Opuntia humifusca)
Northern Pitcher Plant
(Sarracenia purpurea)
The larvae of the small mosquito Wyeomia smithii are only found in the liquid contained within the leaves of this plant. Other insects are trapped and either digested by the plant or eaten by the various other insect species which have adapted to live in the liquid held within the leaves. The stiff downwards pointing hairs near the tops of the leaves help to deter insects from climing out of the pitcher once they have fallen in.
Wild Bean (Strophostyles sp.)
Pestle-Shaped Puffball
(Calvatia excipuliformis) ?
Dryad's Saddle (Polyporus squamosus)
Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus)
Slime Mould (Likely Lycogala epidendrum)
Bracket Fungi
