Watershield (Brasenia schreberi) is common around Haliburton, Ontario in still or slow flowing waters up to 1 m deep. Like lilypads, the leaves float on surface. They may also be confused with some species of pond leaves. The underside of the leaves are coated in slime. Edible Uses of Watershield The young leaves when still … [Read more…]
Dear Wood Folk, Poisonous or not? Hmmm. Haliburton Flora lists 4 Lathyrus species. Everlasting pea (L. latifolius), vetchling (l. palustris car. linearifolius), yellow vetchling (L. pratensis), and our pictured sweet pea (l. sylvestris). These are all rare in the wild here. My pictures are of one escapee sweet pea patch along the highway. Lately, on … [Read more…]
Dear Wood Folk, A couple months ago we covered buttercups. Eastern red AKA Canada columbine AKA wild columbine (aquilegia canadensis) is also a member of the notoriously toxic buttercup family. All plants in this family produce toxins when wounded or macerated. Substances you wouldn’t want to handle or ingest. The leaves of our native red … [Read more…]
Cardinal-flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is a similar but less potent medicinal as its close relation Lobelia inlata, and it’s similarly inedible. But it’s got one of the most stunning, if not the most stunning, red flowers of all of Ontario’s native plants. In Haliburton county, cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is an uncommon but memorable sight on … [Read more…]
Pinks AKA carnations (Dianthus spp.) noted in Haliburton Flora include the uncommon to likely now more common Deptford pink (Dianthus armeria), found on sandy roadsides amoung grasses. I see Deptford’s bright pink often along park edges and well used trails. A couple rare varieties included are maiden pink (D. deltoides) and garden pink (D. plumarius). … [Read more…]
Sweetgale AKA bog myrtle (Myrica gale) is edible and medicinal, but it can induce an abortion. So excited moms-to-be will want to stick with enjoying its beauty and the beauty of the gorgeous moths who use it as a host plant. Sweetgale AKA bog myrtle (Myrica gale) is common in central Ontario, in shores and … [Read more…]