NAME : Broad-Leaved Meadow-Sweet
DESCRIPTION : A perennial shrub which grows up to 1.5 m. tall. Its branches are angled, reddish to purplish-brown in colour. The outer bark of older stems peels off in papery strips. It has many leaves, which are either broadly oval or lance-shaped, can be sharp pointed or blunt tipped, and the margins have coarse, sharp teeth. Flowers are white or pink, have five flowers and bloom between July and September.
WHERE TO FIND IT : This plant can be found in sandy or rocky areas, but thrives better in moist sites. It is common along the edges of rivers and lakes, as well as roadside ditches.
NAME : Common Sedge
DESCRIPTION : A perennial sedge, with flowering stems. The leaves are flat, and shorter than the flowering stems. The base of the leaves is purple in colour. Common Sedge flowers from May to July. The seed sacs are hairy, taper to a stalk-like base, and point at the tip.
WHERE TO FIND IT : Common Sedge can be found near hardwood forests and on sandy roadsides and clearings.
NAME : Distant Sedge
DESCRIPTION : A perennial sedge, similar to the common sedge, with flowering stems. A very slender plant, growing 20-40cm tall. It grows in small, leafy, reddish-based clumps. The leaves are flat, soft, and slightly rough. The flowers on the stems are reddish to whitish-brown, the seed sacs are hairy. This sedge blooms from May to July as well.
WHERE TO FIND IT : Found in thickets, woods and sandy, open, acidic areas.
NAME : Fall Meadow-Rue
DESCRIPTION : A perennial herb with flowering stems. It reaches a height of 0.5-2.5m tall. It is a stout, branched, leafy plant. The leaves are rounded to oblong, with a three-lobed tip. The leaves are firm, pale, and hairy on the underside. Fall Meadow-Rue flowers between June and August, having white flowers. The flowers can be, but rarely are, purple.
WHERE TO FIND IT : Look in moist to wet bogs, along ditches, wet hardwood and coniferswamps, and stream-banks.
NAME : Northern Wild Raisin
DESCRIPTION : A stiffly-branched shrub, which grows up to 5m tall and spreads at the top. The older twigs are purplish and ridged. The leaves of this shrub grow opposite to each other, are oval or oblong, blunt-tipped, and narrowed or round at the base. The edge of the leaves can be toothless or wavy-toothed. The flowers are creamy white and small, flowering in June. The fruit of this shrub are a whitish-yellow colour when they first appear, then turn pinkish, bright blue, and finally a blue black colour with a waxy powdery coating. Fruit will last between July and September.
WHERE TO FIND IT : Check both moist and dry regions. It will grow in both clay and sandy soil, hardwood forests, and even in wet conifer swamps.
NAME : Soft-Leaved Sedge
DESCRIPTION : A perennial sedge, light green in colour. It has thread-like, rough stems and range from 50-60cm tall. The leaves of this plant are soft, as the name suggests, flat, weak, and usually shorter than the flowering stem. The flowers of this plant grow along the stem, well spaced until the top, where a few grow close together. Soft-Leaved Sedge flowers from June to August. It has egg-shaped seed sacs, which are hard. The seed sacs are green at first, but ripen to a dark brown or black colour.
WHERE TO FIND IT : Search any wet conifer-type swamps.
NAME : Toad Rush
DESCRIPTION : An annual rush, very slender, with flowering stems. It ranges from 3-20cm tall and tuffs out from fibrous roots. The leaves are slender and roll inward. This plant has few leaves, which are usually shorter than the flowering stem. The flowering stem, or inflorescence, is branching, wide and appears laterally flattened. The flowers are scattered along the branches, whitish, greenish or pale-brown in colour. It flowers from June to November.
WHERE TO FIND IT : This annual can be found in moist to wet, open, sandy areas.
NAME : Virginia Virgin's Bower
DESCRIPTION : This perennial has slender woody vines, which trail on the ground and over trees, shrubs and fences. The vine will climb 5m or more. The stems are round, smooth, and a light brown to reddish-purple colour. The leaves occur opposite to each other, are hairless and grow in groups of three. The leaves are broadly egg-shaped or slightly heart-shaped, sharp pointed. The edge of the leaves can be toothed or irregularly tooted, often deeply cut or lobed. The flowers are white or cream-coloured, flowering in July and August. A hairy fruit will appear on this plant in September and October.
WHERE TO FIND IT : Try looking around the edge of forests, thickets, and along roadsides.
NAME : Winterberry Holly
DESCRIPTION : A shrub, which grows 3-4m tall. The bark of this shrub is a brownish colour, but matures to a grey or black colour with warty spots. The bark appears mottled because pale pieces will flake off. The leaves alternate, and are thick and leathery. The leaves are broadest above the middle, coming to a distinct point at the tip and tapering at the base. Winterberry Holly flowers in June and July, harbouring greenish to whitish coloured, small flowers. The fruit of this shrub are bright red or yellow, and berry-like. Fruit appear in August and September.
WHERE TO FIND IT : Look around swamps, pond edges and damp thickets.
Pictures and information summarized from:
Chambers, B., K. Legasy, and C.V. Bentley. 1996. Forest Plants of Central Ontario. Lone Pine Publishing and Queen's Printer for Ontario, Edmonton, AB.
RETURN TO HHSS HOME PAGE
MORE SCIENCE PROJECTS @ HHSS