Wild Flowers of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada

Subject: Wild Flowers of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada Wed May 05, 2010 12:30 pm

These are just a few of the thousands of wildflowers one can find throughout Muskoka from early spring until the snow flies in Oct/Nov.

I will start with the white Trillium, the official flower of the Province of Ontario. The Trillium grows wild throughout most parts of Ontario, and is especially abundant in Muskoka. The Trillium comes in two colours in Muskoka, white and wine or deep purple. It blooms in early spring.

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White Trillium

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Wine or Purple Trillium

Subject: Re: Wild Flowers of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada Wed May 05, 2010 12:37 pm

Moccasin Flower or Lady Slipper. This flower blooms in late spring. It love damp marshy areas and just abounds along our llake shore. It may also be found in the forest, particularly in wet depressions. It is a beautiful plant and I am really happy it blooms before our summer guests arrive, particularly the children. It is very attractive and they would have them all picked in no time.

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Moccasin Flower/Lady Slipper, close up view.

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Subject: Re: Wild Flowers of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada Wed May 05, 2010 12:50 pm

Wild Iris also abounds in Muskoka, and while the Iris does come in many different colours, we only get blue, the most proficient, and a kind of bluish purple growing wild here. They will start to bloom around the end of June and will be with us until approximately the end of July.

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Purplish Iris

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Blue Iris

Subject: Re: Wild Flowers of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada Wed May 05, 2010 12:57 pm

Impatiens capensis. Jewelweed blooms May through October in the eastern part of North America from Southern Canada to the northern part of Florida. It is found most often in moist woods or near shaded streams. The Jewelweed plant has been used for centuries in North America by Native Americans and Herbalists, as a natural preventative and treatment for poison ivy and poison oak; and is a folk remedy for many other skin disorders .

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Subject: Re: Wild Flowers of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada Wed May 05, 2010 1:16 pm

Hawkweed. This flower is abundant all over my lake property. It grows fast, (between grass cuttings), and fills open spaces with an orange hue. Many folks also call it, The Devils Paintbrush, why I don't know, unless it has to do with the fact that it grows and blooms so fast. You can cut it down today and within a day or so it is back.

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Subject: Re: Wild Flowers of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada Wed May 05, 2010 1:23 pm

Sumac. Sumac trees grow everywhere around here and in the late spring bloom with a red flower. The flower is a cluster of smaller flowers and are quite fuzzy in texture. These flowers provide a very refreshing summer drink, but must be harvested as soon as the flower turns red. If you wait too long bugs get into them and it is not very appetizing. To make the drink all one has to do is soak the flowers in cold water overnight. Native North Americans use the flower for a number of different medicinal purposes.

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Subject: Re: Wild Flowers of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada Wed May 05, 2010 1:26 pm

St. John Wort. A pretty little flower that can be found throughout the forest areas here.

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Subject: Re: Wild Flowers of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada Wed May 05, 2010 1:29 pm

Mint. We have one of the many hundreds of different types of mint growing wild throughout the area. I have tried to find out which variety, but there are so many, and one must look at each one to find a match, that so far I have not been able to pin it down. The leaves when washed, chopped and mixed with vinigar make an excellent mint sauce for lamb.

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Subject: Re: Wild Flowers of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada Wed May 05, 2010 1:33 pm

Pearlyeverlasting. These flowers grow along the bottom of the rock ridge that our house sits on. I have also found them deep in the forest on my frequent hikes. They are a really pretty little flower, but one must get up close to see just how pretty they really are.

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Subject: Re: Wild Flowers of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada Wed May 05, 2010 1:36 pm

Another very tiny flower, Sitkavalerian, grows all over the area. I don't know much about it because I haven't had a chance to research it yet.

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Subject: Re: Wild Flowers of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada Wed May 05, 2010 1:41 pm

Indian Pipe. Monotropa uniflora, Indian Pipe, is a herbaceous perennial plant. It is native to temperate regions and grows abundantly throughout the Muskoka region of Ontario. Unlike most plants, it is white and does not contain chlorophyll. Instead of generating energy from sunlight, it is parasitic, more specifically a myco-heterotroph. Its hosts are certain fungi that are mycorrhizal with trees, meaning it ultimately gets its energy from photosynthetic trees. Since it is not dependent on sunlight to grow, it can grow in very dark environments as in the understory of dense forest.

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Subject: Re: Wild Flowers of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada Thu May 06, 2010 11:19 am

What wonderful photographs Bob, and thank you for the detailed descriptions on each.

I would like to have a go a painting that St John's Wort flower with the crunchy leaf behind it. Its just calling me to do so Smile

Skye

Subject: Re: Wild Flowers of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada Thu May 06, 2010 1:43 pm

Well if you decide to paint it don't forget to take a photo and post it for us.

I have loads more photos of wild flowers but for over 90% I do not know their names. Researching to find out is a labourous task and I just have not had the time to do it.

I also have some very nice photos of domestic flowers. When we travel I always have the camera with me and take photos of the flowers. I will go through them and find the best ones and post few.

Subject: Re: Wild Flowers of Muskoka, Ontario, Canada Thu May 06, 2010 4:09 pm

I will do that Bob, my paints are out at the moment for another project so I am in the right frame of mind.

I do love painting flowers, so any photographs that you are able to put up would be very welcome. If you don't know the names we will just have to create them ourselves. Smile

Skye

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