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Dryas integrifolia

Mountain avens

Mountain avens


Botanical Information

  • Evergreen shrub, grows up to 15 cm
  • Prefers chalky gravels and rocky barrens
  • Creamy white flowers bloom throughout the spring and summer



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Points of Interest

  • Adopted as the floral emblem of the Northwest Territories in 1957
  • Flowers and seeds produce a green dye
  • Traditionally signalled the arrival of fall, since that is when the dried flowers unravel in the wind
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Epilobium angustifolium

© Lavonia R. Stockelbach - Courtesy of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Photo


Fireweed


Botanical Information

  • Perennial herb, grows up to 3 m
  • Prefers open woods, recent clearings (particularly burns), fields and river gravels
  • Magenta flowers bloom throughout the summer and fall



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Points of Interest

  • Adopted as the floral emblem of the Yukon in 1957
  • Aboriginal peoples used roots and leaves in poultices for burns, bruises, swelling and sores
  • Silky hairs from seeds can be mixed with cotton or fur to make clothing
  • Important source of nectar for honey bees
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Papaver nudicaule

Arctic poppy
Photo   


Arctic poppy


Botanical Information

  • Perennial, grows up to 60 cm
  • Prefers cool climate, sun and well- drained soil
  • White, yellow or orange flowers bloom throughout the spring and summer


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Points of Interest

  • May last only one season when grown in a hot climate
  • Becoming a popular flower in public gardens
  • Saucer-shaped flower acts like a satellite, turning towards the sun
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Populus tremuloides

Trembling aspen

Trembling aspen


Botanical Information

  • Deciduous tree, grows up to 18 m
  • Prefers dry or moist woods, prairie parklands, burns and clearings


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Points of Interest

  • Aboriginal peoples used roots, bark and leaf buds in a wide variety of remedies
  • Contains salicin, a compound similar to that found in Aspirin®
  • Can be used to make pulp, plywood, veneer, wooden matches and chopsticks
  • Commonly called the trembling aspen since it catches the slightest wind - appearing to tremble constantly
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Pulsatilla patens (Anemone patens)

Prairie crocus

Prairie crocus


Botanical Information

  • Evergreen shrub, grows up to 1.5 m
  • Prefers sandy or rocky lakeshores, woods
    and pastures
  • Leaves turn purple over winter
  • A variation of creeping juniper



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Canada Map Can be found in

Point of Interest

  • Adopted as the floral emblem of Manitoba in 1906
  • Fresh leaves traditionally boiled and used for medicinal purposes
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