Rare plants of Turkey Point Field Botanists of Ontario field trip

Hot, humid weather did not deter 7 Field Botanists of Ontario (FBO) members from attending my field trip in search of rare plants of the Turkey Point area.  The trip started behind the Fish Hatchery to view planted specimens of provincially and federally threatened Kentucky coffee tree (Gymnocladus dioicus) and special concern Blue ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata).  We then ventured to an open sand barren community to look for provincially rare Spotted horsemint (Mondarda punctata) and Green milkweed (Asclepias viridiflora).  A new record for the Norfolk county list of the official EARTHQUEST Plants of Ontario database was Pinesap (Monotropa hypopithys), discovered by Burke Korol.

Pinesap (Monotropa hypopithys)

Photo: Dave Jolly

Provincially rare Bristly buttercup (Ranunculus hispidus var. hispidus) was observed along the trail path while attempting to find provincially rare Yellow bartonia (Bartonia virginica), but this plant was not located since it was too early in it's life stage to be viewed.

A search along 400 m of a hydro corridor revealed 5 Species at Risk and rare plants; provincially rare Whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata),

Whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata)

Photo: Dave Jolly

Moss phlox (Phlox subulata), Fern leaved yellow foxglove (Aureolaria pedicularia), endangered Virginia goat's-rue (Tephrosia virginiana) and Bird's-foot violet (Viola pedata).

FBO members (Sarah Mainguy; lower left, Burke Korol, Miles Hearn; center) and Tony Zammit; far right photographing SAR plants along hydro corridor
Photo: Dave Jolly

The third stop was along a sand road to observe provincially rare Dwarf chinquapin oak (Quercus prinoides), then transversing another sand barren for provincially rare Plain puccoon (Lithospermum caroliniensis) and Wild, or Sundial lupine (Lupinus perennis).  A hike through provincially rare Dry Black Oak - Pine Tallgrass Savannah Type (SVMM1-2) led to endangered Spotted wintergreen (Chimaphila maculata) adjacent to provincially rare Round leaved Tick-trefoil (Desmodium rotundifolia).

Round leaved Tick-trefoil (Desmodium rotundifolium)

Photo: Dave Jolly

Overall, the FBO field trip had a total of 13 SAR and rare plants within the Turkey Point area with the hydro corridor as the highlight.