My Bit of Heaven - by Kristl Walek

[Kristl Walek]

One of the unique plant communities in Nova Scotia, as previously mentioned, is what is termed the "Coastal Plain Flora." These plants, mostly at their northern geographical limit, grow, not directly along the Atlantic coast, as the name might imply, but predominantly on sand or gravel shores of low nutrient, freshwater lakes and in bogs.  A few species also occur on streamsides and estuaries.

This is one of the most endangered plant groups in Canada, with some nationally endangered, threatened, at risk or of special concern plants within the group. A few are globally threatened.  And in Canada, they are found only in this province; primarily in the southwest portions of the Tusket River valley.

The gem of the group, in my opinion, and definitely garden growable is not in the "endangered" camp; in fact the Flora indicated it as "locally abundant." Yet, it was the one that caused Graham and I the most grief as we hiked to lakeshore after lakeshore (not easy, as 99.9% are privately owned). Just about to give up after 8 hours of walking; we stumbled upon it in a site already known to us, but where we had not seen it on our previous visit.

We walked along the lakeshore; again passing the colony of the endangered Lophiola aurea we had seen last year, no longer in bloom; and found the beautiful Rhexia in the area closest to the woods, rather than the shore. The plants were tiny here; about 12-15cm, with so much heavy competition. They will grow twice that size in the garden.

As we had already spent most of the daylight hours looking for this plant, we were not able to do much more exploring here; although on our way out, we did find Triadenum virginicum in flower as well, a species I had never seen before; only being familiar with T. fraseri in Ontario.

[Kristl Walek]

Our search for the much less common and harder to locate Sabatia kennedyana and Coreopsis rosea was quite easy in comparison to the Rhexia, as we landed on the right cobble beach near Yarmouth first try bright and early one morning. Graham's first sighting brought a rush of excitement to us both.

The beach was literally thick with succulent non-flowering rosettes of the plant; with the intervening spaces taken up with colonies of Drosera intermedia.

Here too were many non-flowering Xyris diffiformis and Sisyrinchium atlanticum. Later I found 2 plants of another coastal plains species, Gratiola aurea.

Sabatia kennedyana (Plymouth Gentian) is indeed a member of the Gentianacea--although the simple flowers on first blush look like a common pink daisy with an intricate center. However, the plant has a delicate, beautiful, ethereal quality in the flesh that did not get captured in my photographs.

It was my first time seeing it in the wild. However I have a history with this plant and a story to tell. Some years ago it appeared in my catalogue, globally imperilled as it is; seed sent to me by an American friend who managed to naturalize it in a moist spot in his garden. His comment was that it was easy as pie. It was certainly easy from seed---and that seed offering sold out quickly and entirely. A few years pass and this spring another customer who had bought the seed and also has it thriving in his garden sent a picture (which I dearly wish I could find to show you), of a bouquet of them in a vase!!!!  And here I stood on this beach observing these endangered plants struggling against enormous odds in the wild.

[Kristl Walek]

I will end this portion of my travels to wet areas by showing you a quick survey of some of the true aquatics seen. Tomorrow I will return with more.

[ranunculus]

Wonderful topic, as always, Kristl ... the little Rhexia is enchanting!

[Gerdk]

Wonderful topic, as always, Kristl ... the little Rhexia is enchanting!

Indeed! What a selection of rare and delightful sites and plants!
Thank you, Kristl!

Gerd

[Ragged Robin]

Great findings on this wild stretch and I love the little Sabatia - would love to see the bouquet in the vase if you find the photo 

[Kristl Walek]

Graham and I spent two whole days on Brier Island during his week here. The first day was primarily to tie up loose ends -- with photographs of seed receptacles and foliage of known species that grow here (Primula laurentiana, Iris setosa canadensis, Rhodiola rosea, Lonicera caerulea).

As with most of our days together, while Graham photographed, I explored or collected whatever seed was ready for collecting. I did find some blooming plants of an unknown Arenaria (likely A. lateriflora) on the cliffs with the Primula. Mats of Vaccinium macrocarpon and vitis-idaea with tremendous berry production were everywhere. Solidago bicolor romped around with the still going strong Campanula rotundifiolia. Platanthera psycodes, Sarracenia purpurea, Potentilla fructicosa and cotton grasses were found in the moist spots.

Our only planned "search" this morning was for a single plant of Vaccinium uliginosum (Arctic Blueberry) that was supposed to be here--this provincially rare species was only supposed to be found in one nature reserve near Halifax; which I had not yet had a chance to explore. We did indeed find the plant, which had grown to an impressive size, and although we were very late for it; 10 berries were still found. This is a beautiful, low and wide growing ornamental with gorgeous, clean foliage, lovely flowers and of course, edible fruit.

[Kristl Walek]

After we had lunch on the rocks, we headed to a different area of the island, with the purpose of searching out Betula michauxii, which had eluded me thus far. Following through on vague leads about its location; we ended up wandering again for hours in what seemed to us illogical areas. But no wander in the wild is ever unproductive.

The fields on the periphery to the beach were full of magenta thistles and Anaphalis margaritacea as well as large colonies of Spireae alba latifolia  and, closer to the ocean, drifts of the escaped Rosa rugosa, also in in its white form. I had mentioned last year that these plants growing on Brier Island have unusually large flowers and hips---locally described as being as large as some small eggs. These are unlike any plants I have seen in garden conditions. Having Graham with me confirmed that I did not have an exaggerated view of this. The pinks have red hips; the white orange and I spent some time collecting large bags full of these.

In wetter areas near a large inland "pond" were Lysimachia terrestris and Scutellaria galericulata.

[Kristl Walek]

Although we did not find the Betula this day, we did have another pleasant, unexpected find as the entire stretch of beach we walked was solidly full of Mertensia maritima---which I had only previously found a few small seedlings of last year at Keji adjunct.

Amidst the blue, there were also large quantities of the white form.

[Kristl Walek]

On Graham's last full day in Nova Scotia we returned to Brier, with absolute last-chance-determination to find Betula michauxii. which we knew had to be in a bog near the ocean where the Mertensia had been. It is only to be found in a couple widely-spaced areas of the province, the one site in northern Cape Breton being apparently difficult and largely inaccessible.

After one false start through painful thorny blackberry thickets and climbing over oceans of fallen trees, we regrouped and our second blind attempt got us into the bog after a short 15 minute hike. Of course we had no idea if we were looking for one, 10, or hundreds of plants. These are tiny creatures as well, but with very distinctive and beautiful foliage. I had seen enough pictures of it that I knew I would recognize it instantly if I saw it.

In the second picture you are actually looking at one colony of them, although it is hard to see clearly---needless to say, there were hundreds and hundreds of plants; in fact difficult to walk through them in spots.
Most plants averaged around 60cm , some in more open spots slightly taller. The shiny, thick, veined, scalloped foliage and diminutive size were absolutely thrilling to see. I have heard no reports of anyone having attempted to grow it in the garden---I suspect it might be akin to B. nana in that regard.

This was a wonderful bog, with a rich array of plant species; Andromeda and Kalmia polifolias, to name but two and it was not so wet as to make me fearful of being here on my own in the future.

As I explored my eye caught a clump of entirely "innapropriate" foliage for this setting (large leaved and herbaceous). As I walked closer to inspect (expecting some exotic to have found its way in) I was pleasantly thrilled to have come upon the globally imperilled Geum peckii, which I must return to see in bloom next year. I had no idea it had such huge foliage. Flowering stems reached to about 60cm.

We again had lunch on the beach, and returned home early enough to have dinner before dark, for a change. This was, notwithstanding a 30 minute delay at the first ferry, which had some technical problem. It was not until I watched the process through my camera lens that I realized that a length of rope had gotten tangled under the ferry---and a diver had been summoned to take care of it.

[Kristl Walek]

As I look back at the 13 or so sites that Graham and I hiked, and the roughly 2000km we drove in his week here, I have only highlighted a few of the major explores.

There were also many plants that were not "new" or spots I have not shown you before; however, a few images are still in my mind.

Our return trip to the Sanguisorba canadensis site was another glorious day---and the field full of Solidago canadensis, the Burnet in among them was, to my eye, a thing of beauty.

Or the colony of Apios americana we came across covering a bridge on an overpass.

As well, the wonder of all the berries on beautiful plants, ready for plucking. This week, amidst all the travelling, hiking, and oohing and ahhing, I managed to collect: Kalmia polifolia, Vaccinium corymbosum, myrtilloides, angustifolium, uliginosum, Aralia hispida, Primula laurentiana, Iris setosa, Campanula rotundifolia, Arenaria laterifolia, Viburnum alnifolium, Cornus alternifolia, Drosera intermedia, Trillium undulatum, cernuum, erectum, Nuphar variegata, Nymphaea odorata, Nemopanthus mucronatus, Gaylussacia baccata and others.

[Kristl Walek]

And of course, what utter joy to spend this week with a friend who is nearly as crazy as me about wild botanizing and who is willing to persist even in the difficult areas without hesitation because of the rewards of the find (and the journey).

The "bingo" moments were mostly captured---except for my finding the Rhexia (which picture seems to have disappeared). But I know you would know the expression.

And I will miss seeing two sets of boots in the rear of the Matrix.

[annew]

Greatly enjoyed your expeditions, Kristl, and especially the beautiful photos of seeds.

[ashley]

Beautiful plants and superb pictures as always Kristl.  Thank you.

Does Betula michauxii colour well in the autumn?

A few days ago in the garden I watched a young red fox systematically pull hips off Rosa rugosa bushes and eat them with gusto.  Obviously it had learned this trick already in its short life.  Your large-hipped form might be appreciated even more I suspect

[Kristl Walek]

Does Betula michauxii colour well in the autumn?

I have another trip to this bog marked on the calendar for late fall and we shall see what the Betula has done; as I have never seen it before this trip. As it is apparently late to flower (summer), I also want to see the tiny seed cones (did see some developing).