The Wildflower Society of Newfoundland and Labrador

Wildflower Society of NL May Zoom Meeting

Date: Tuesday May 13th, 2025

starting time: 7:30 p.m.

Speakers: Michael Burzynski and Anne Marceau

Title: The Azores: Islands at the Middle of the Atlantic.



The Azores Archipelago is a group of volcanic peaks perched along the actibe Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Although the bedrock of the islands is pretty consistent (basalt!), the high volcanoes, different ages of the islands and their lava fields, the position of the islands at the nexus between Africa, Europe, and the Americas, the long isolation of the islands, and their history of settlement have created a fascinating sub-tropical flora far from any other land. Politically a part of Portugal, these islands have many endemic species, and far more introduced species. Join us for a tour of four of the nine islands, and a peek at this haven of greenery in the cold blue Atlantic.


Karen Herzberg will be sending out the link for the meeting a day or two ahead of time.

We encourage all members to "join" the meeting a few minutes early so that we can start promptly at 7:30 p.m.

Special note: Any members who are unfamiliar with "Zoom", or who have difficulties connecting, should attempt to join the meeting by 7:00 or 7:15 p.m.

This will hopefully allow time for Karen to sort out any problems before the start of the meeting.










Wildflower Society of Newfoundland and Labrador April Zoom Meeting

Date: April 8th, 2025 (Tuesday) starting at 7:30 p.m.

Speaker: Meghan E. McCarthy 

Topic:  How lucky! Interesting plants, both rare and common, of Western and Northern Newfoundland
 
Meghan's presentation will be showcasing the rare and not so rare plants of the West Coast of the Island, including the Serpentine Barrens, but mostly focusing on the Limestone Barrens.

She will be discussing some of the larger questions around plant rarity. What makes a plant rare, and what does that mean for conservation? 

She will also be sharing what she learned while attending the Rare Plant Academy of the Centre for Plant Conservation.




Wildflower Society of NL March Zoom Meeting

March 11th, 2025 (Tuesday) 7:30 p.m.

Speaker:  Todd Boland

Topic: Autumn Wildflowers of Crete

Karen Herzberg will be sending out the link for the meeting a day or two ahead of time.

We encourage all members to "join" the meeting a few minutes early so that we can start promptly at 7:30 p.m.

Special note: Any members who are unfamiliar with "Zoom", or who have difficulties connecting, should attempt to join the meeting by 7:00 or 7:15 p.m.

This will hopefully allow time for Karen to sort out any problems before the start of the meeting.

February Wildflower Society Zoom Meeting

February  11th, 2025 starting at 7:30 p.m. (Tuesday)

Topic:  Members share their 2024 photo images 

John Maunder has once again been kind enough to put a selection of our 2024 photo images together for presentation. 

Karen Herzberg will be sending out a ZOOM link a few days before our meeting. 
A reminder. If you are uncertain about linking for our Zoom meeting, please connect 10-15 minutes before the start of the meeting in case of a problem.

Hope you can join our meeting!  

Notice to All Wildflower Members
 
There will be NO Wildflower of NL Zoom Meeting in January month 2025.
 
For our February 11th, 2025 meeting John Maunder will be putting together a collection of wildflower images by members from the previous season/or seasons.
 
Please see John's reminder notice below and try to submit your images as soon as possible!
 
Have a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year !!!
 
Wildflower Society of NL Executive
 
 
Reminder

WFS "End of Season SlideShow - 2024" Call for Submissions
To the WFS membership, from John Maunder: Again, this year I will be attempting to put together a VIRTUAL (i.e. "Zoom") end-of-season "Member's Slide Show". It is our yearly opportunity to share what we did, or saw, botanically, during the preceding season (or seasons). But, as always, we NEED YOUR PHOTOS!
 
So, please, don't be shy! ...
 
While photos should be more-or-less "presentable", they don't need to be of "professional quality"! ... [Note that I can usually tweak them a bit, if necessary]. So ... Get rummaging through your hard drives, and send me your favourite and/or most interesting, images, and associated stories.
"The Rules" are essentially the same as they have been in the past.
1. Up to FIFTEEN-ish photos per person No categories. No dates. No geographical restrictions (they don't have to be from Newfoundland and Labrador). 2.  The focus of submitted photos should, however, be botanical. 3. A brief description of each image, describing "where, when, and what (if you know)", will add value to your submissions. 4. Please note that by keeping the number of photos, per person, down to fifteen-ish, I hope that the show will be less tiring, and much more enjoyable. 5. Nevertheless, if required, in order to either augment or streamline the presentation, I will reserve the right to edit the total number of photos.
6. As for photo size, please send full-sized images ... I will make any needed adjustments when I receive your photos (but, please try to keep the total size of any single e-mail post down to about 15 MB, so that you will not "break" my mail system) 7. Note that, at the very latest, your contributions should be received by the end of January ... But, the earlier, the better. 8. Please send all of your photo contributions to me (John Maunder), by [1] e-mail to John (jem@nl.rogers.com) [use attachments, or remote server links (i.e. WeTransfer, DropBox, etc.)]; or [2] "snail-mail me a thumb drive or a CD/DVD (to "John Maunder, P. O. Box 250, Pouch Cove, NL A0A 3L0") ... when the current mail strike is over!
GET SORTING! Don't delay. The New Year will soon be upon us! Looking forward to seeing your images.


Your humble compiler.
JOHN
Email: jem@nl.rogers.com






December Wildflower Society Zoom Meeting

December 10th, 2024

Starting time: 7:30 p.m.


Speakers: Michael Burzynski and Anne Marceau

Title: Rota Vicentina: A Walk Along the Coast of Southern Portugal


"The Rota Vicentina is a system of beautiful walking trails that traverse 265 kilometres of the coast of Portugal, south of Lisbon. The trails explore towering cliffs, broad sand beaches, pine forest, country roads, and dunes. We visited when spring wildflowers were in full bloom and Storks were returning to their traditional nesting sites. Please join us as we explore the beauty of spring along the coast of southern Portugal."

Karen Herzberg will be sending out the link for the meeting a day or two ahead of time.

We encourage all members to "join" the meeting a few minutes early so that we can start promptly at 7:30 p.m.

Special note: Any members who are unfamiliar with "Zoom", or who have difficulties connecting,
should attempt to join the meeting by 7:00 or 7:15 p.m. This will hopefully give Karen time
 to sort out any problems arising before the scheduled start of the meeting.










November Wildflower Zoom Meeting

November 12th, 2024 (Tuesday) starting at 7:30 p.m.

Speaker:  Sue Meades

Topic:  

"Recolonization progress at Burnt Cape"


Karen Herzberg will be sending out the link for the meeting a day or two ahead of time.

We encourage all members to "join" the meeting a few minutes early so that we can start promptly at 7:30 p.m.

Special note: Any members who are unfamiliar with "Zoom", or who have difficulties connecting,
should attempt to join the meeting by 7:00 or 7:15 p.m. This will hopefully give Karen time
 to sort out any problems arising before the scheduled start of the meeting



Bill looking toward Raleigh







The Time for the Tree Walk has been changed from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Fall Tree Walk at Bowring Park

October 5th, 2024 (Saturday) at 10:00 a.m.

Leader:  Todd Boland

Meeting place:  We will gather at the east end of the west end parking lot
(at the end of the parking lot closest to the Waterford Hospital, same meeting spot as last year)

Hope you can make it!









Notice of Wildflower Society of NL October Zoom Meeting

Date: October 8th, 2024 starting at 7:30 pm.

Speaker: Matt Levesque

Topic:   "Wildflower Photos - 2024. A Year In Review!"  



Karen Herzberg will be sending out the link for the meeting a day or two ahead of time.

We encourage all members to "join" the meeting a few minutes early so that we can start promptly at 7:30 p.m.

Special note: Any members who are unfamiliar with "Zoom", or who have difficulties connecting,
should attempt to join the meeting by 7:00 or 7:15 p.m. This will hopefully give Karen time
 to sort out any problems arising before the scheduled start of the meeting.




Diapensia lapponica


Comarum palustre


Mertensia maritima



NOTICE of PROGRAM POSTPONEMENT
Due To Weather
NEW DATE: Wednesday, August 28th
Upper Rennies River Wildflower Society Walk
 
(a short walk)

Starting time: 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 28th, 2024.



Notice of Upper Rennies River Wildflower Society Walk
 
(a short walk)

Starting time: 10:00 a.m. Tuesday August 27th, 2024.

Leader: Howard Clase

Meeting place:  The parking lot behind Rennies River Elementary School, St. John's.

How to get there: From Elizabeth Avenue, turn off towards Strawberry Marsh Road, and then quickly veer onto Smithville Crescent. Almost immediately, turn right into the parking area and park on the right hand side, behind the school.

The section of trail from Elizabeth Avenue to Long Pond has a number of different habits from riverside to woodland. It supports a fairly large number of plant species including at least four that are uncommon.






Wildflower Society of NL Walk
to see the Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)


 Meeting time:  Saturday August 10th, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. 

Parking: At the end of Harbour View Avenue, St. John's (turn off Torbay Road at City Tire and Auto)

Walk leaders:  Howard Clase & Carmel Conway

If the weather is inclement, the walk will be deferred until Monday, August 12th, 2024 at 10:00 a.m.

Hope to see you there!






Wildflower Society Tree Walk in Bowring Park

Sunday, June 16th, 2024 (Father's Day)

Leader: Todd Boland

Start time: 10 a.m.

Meeting place:  We will gather at the east end of the west end parking lot (at the end of the parking lot closest to the Waterford Hospital, same meeting spot as last year).  

Hope to see you there!





Wildflower Society Geo Centre Chuckley-Pear Walk
Sunday, June 9th,  2024 starting at: 10 a.m.
Meet: Parking lot at the Geo Centre, Signal Hill, St. John's
          Leading walk:  Glen Ryan with John Maunder           
Please make sure to check your e-mail before heading out in case there is a cancellation due to foul weather.
A hand magnifying glass would be helpful.









Notice of May Zoom Meeting
Wildflower Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
Tuesday, May 14th, 2024, at 7:30 p.m.
Speaker: Todd Boland
Exploring the Patagonia Steppe - Part 2







Karen Herzberg will be sending out the link for the meeting a day or two ahead of time.

We encourage all members to "join" the meeting a few minutes early so that we can start promptly at 7:30 p.m.

Special note: Any members who are unfamiliar with "Zoom", or who have difficulties connecting,
should attempt to join the meeting by 7:00 or 7:15 p.m. This will hopefully give Karen time
 to sort out any problems arising before the scheduled start of the meeting.




Notice of the April Wildflower Society of NL Zoom Meeting

April 9th, 2024 (Tuesday) starting at 7:30 p.m.

Speakers: Michael Burzynski & Anne Marceau


Topic:  "Plants and Landscapes of the Limestone Barrens of Newfoundland and Labrador"

[see images, below]

Karen Herzberg will be sending out the link for the meeting a day or two ahead of time.

We encourage all members to "join" the meeting a few minutes early so that we can start promptly at 7:30 p.m.

Special note: Any members who are unfamiliar with "Zoom", or who have difficulties connecting,
should attempt to join the meeting by 7:00 or 7:15 p.m. This will hopefully give Karen time
 to sort out any problems arising before the scheduled start of the meeting.










March Wildflower Society of NL "Zoom Meeting"

March 12th, 2024 (Tuesday):  7:30 p.m.

Speaker:  Todd Boland

Topic:  Spring Wildflowers of Patagonia Part 1: The Alpines and Woodlanders

[see some images from Todd below this notice]


Karen Herzberg will be sending out the link for the meeting a day or two ahead of time.

We encourage all members to "join" the meeting a few minutes early so that we can start promptly at 7:30 p.m.

Special note: Any members who are unfamiliar with "Zoom", or who have difficulties connecting,
should attempt to join the meeting by 7:00 or 7:15 p.m. This will hopefully give Karen time
 to sort out any problems arising before the scheduled start of the meeting.






February Wildflower Society Zoom Meeting
February 13, 2024, (Tuesday) 7:30 p.m.
“Members Slide Show - 2023”


Alpine Azalea (Kalmia procumbens) - Cape Onion - Michael Burzynski

Karen Herzberg will be sending out the link for our meeting a day or two ahead of time.


We encourage all members to join the meeting a few minutes early so that we can start promptly at 7:30 p.m.

Special note: Any members who are unfamiliar with Zoom,
or who have difficulties connecting, should attempt to join the meeting by 7:00 or 7:15 p.m.
This will hopefully give Karen time to sort out any problems arising, before the scheduled start of the meeting.










We would like to remind members that there is NO December Zoom Wildflower Meeting


However ...

Here is an advanced notice of the January 9th, 2024 Zoom Wildflower Meeting (Tuesday evening)

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Speaker:  Wildflower member, Matt Levesque

Title of the presentation: "Exploring the floral beauty of Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula"

[Among many other things, Matt will touch more on the "Newfoundland white ragged fringed-orchid" during the slideshow!]



We encourage all members to join the meeting a few minutes early so that we can start promptly at 7:30 p.m

Special note: Any members who are unfamiliar with Zoom,
or who have difficulties connecting, should attempt to join the meeting by 7:00 or 7:15 p.m.
This will hopefully give Karen time to sort out any problems arising, before the scheduled start of the meeting.








Notice of the November Zoom Meeting

Wildflower Society of Newfoundland and Labrador


Date:  November 14, 2023 (Tuesday)

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Speaker:  Dr. Wilf Nicholls. Former Director of the MUN Botanical Garden.

Topic:  “Georgia (USA): a little history, a little botany, a little horticulture”





Wilf

 
Karen Herzberg will be sending out the link for our meeting a day or two ahead of time.


We encourage all members to join the meeting a few minutes early so that we can start promptly at 7:30 p.m.

Special note: Any members who are unfamiliar with Zoom,
or who have difficulties connecting, should attempt to join the meeting by 7:00 or 7:15 p.m.
This will hopefully give Karen time to sort out any problems arising, before the scheduled start of the meeting.
Thanks.







Wildflower Society of NL October Zoom Meeting

Date: October 17th, 2023 (Tuesday)

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Speaker: Meghan McCarthy, Assistant Horticulturist, MUN Botanical Garden

Topic: 

"Native plants and wildflowers of Vancouver Island and Garry Oak Ecosystems" 

 
Karen Herzberg will be sending out the link for our meeting a day or two before. We remind any member who might be unfamiliar with zoom or have difficulty connecting to please try and connect at 7:15 p.m. giving Karen time to sort out any problem before the start of the meeting.
We encourage all members to join the meeting a few minutes before so as to enable us to start at 7:30 p.m.







Satin Flower


Garry Oak rockface



Fall Tree Walk at Bowring  Park

Saturday, September 30th, starting at 2:00 p.m.

Leader: Todd Boland

Meeting place:  We will gather at the east end of the west end parking lot (at the end of the parking lot closest to the Waterford Hospital, same meeting spot as last year)

Hope you can make it!










September 23 (Saturday) Wildflower Walk 

starting time: 10:30 a.m.

Informal leaders:  Karen Herzberg & Carmel Conway

We will be walking a well maintained trail in the Stavanger Road Area.

Meeting Place: Parking Lot of the new Ren's Pet Store
56 Aberdeen Avenue 

(the store was the former Pier 1 Imports)

Please note if inclement weather, we will be walking the same time the next day. Before  heading out for the walk, please check your e-mail for cancellation if the weather looks forboding.
Please look below for membership message. 
Hope to see you there!   
Karen & Carm

 
"Our Concrete Gardens: The Surprising Sidewalk Botany of Downtown St. John's"

John Maunder will be leading an informal, easy-going, wildflower ramble, mainly on Duckworth Street.

Date: Saturday, August 19th at 10:00 a.m.

Meeting Place:  Duckworth Street, at the War Memorial.

Bring a hand-lens. Some of the sidewalk plants are quite small!

Parking should be free, but check your particular parking spot.

(Please check your e-mail before heading out in case the ramble has been cancelled due to foul weather.
At this date, the prediction is for just "a mainly cloudy day". Bring a rain jacket if you are unsure.)

Lepidium didymum [= Coronopus didymus]  -  Lesser Swinecress - [NF] [i]









Wildflower Walk around Branscombe's Pond Trail

Karen Herzberg & Carmel Conway will be leading an informal walk


Friday, August 11th at 9:30 a.m.

Meeting Place:  The entrance to the walking trail on Goldeneye Place, Mt. Pearl (... look for the crosswalk)

[turn off Topsail Road - onto Goldeneye Place - opposite the "Mary Queen of the World" church/school complex]
 
(Please be careful not to block any driveways.)

(Please, also, check your e-mail before heading out in case the walk has been cancelled due to foul weather. 
And pack a raincoat in case of a shower.)

Wildflower Society Geo Centre Chuckley-Pear Walk


Saturday, June 24th, 2023 starting at: 10:30 a.m.

Meet: Parking lot at the Geo Centre, Signal Hill, St. John's

          Leading walk:  Glen Ryan with John Maunder           

Please make sure to check your e-mail before heading out in case there is a cancellation due to foul weather.
A hand magnifying glass would be helpful.

Image from Heather Saunders


Participants on the Chuckley Pear walk, thanks to Glen and John for a great walk



May Wildflower Society Zoom Meeting

May 9th, 2023 (Tuesday) at 7:30 p.m.
Speakers:  Michael Burzynski & Anne Marceau
Title: "Wildflowers of the Galapagos"

Michael and Anne will present a photograph-illustrated talk about the wildflowers, scenery, and wildlife of the Galapagos Archipelago. This Pacific island chain, 800 km off the coast of South America, is famous for its peculiar land animals and their importance to Charles Darwin’s understanding of natural selection and evolution, but the plant life, marine life, and geology of these islands are equally fascinating. Join us and explore the Galapagos.

Karen Herzberg will be sending out the link for the meeting a day or two before. We remind any members who might be unfamiliar with zoom or have difficulty connecting to please try and connect at 7: 15 p.m. giving Karen time to try and sort out any problem before the start of our our meeting.

Please join the meeting a few minutes before 7:30, to enable us to start the meeting on time.

April Wildflower Society Zoom Meeting

April 11th, 2023 (Tuesday) at 7:30 p.m.

Speakers:  Luise Hermanutz & David Innis

Title: "Hunting for Desert Wildflowers, and more!"

Desert Lily (Hesperocallis undulata)

Karen Herzberg will be sending out the link for the meeting a day or two before.

Should you be unfamiliar with Zoom, or wish to socialize a bit, you can join the meeting after 7:15 pm.
 
Please join the meeting a few minutes before 7:30, to enable us to start the meeting on time.

See you at the meeting!






March Wildflower Society Zoom Meeting
March 14th, 2023, (Tuesday) 7:30 p.m. Speaker:  Sue Meades
“Wildflowers of Ireland”
Areas included in Sue's talk will be: The Burren, Galway and Connemara, Ballyshannon and Cavangarden, The Giant’s Causeway and The Dark Hedges

Umbilicaria rupestris (Navelwort), growing on a rock wall




A portion of The Burren (Ireland’s "limestone barrens")



Gymnadenia densiflora (Marsh Fragrant Orchid)

Karen Herzberg will be sending out the link for the meeting a day or two before.

Should you be unfamiliar with Zoom, or wish to socialize a bit, you can join the meeting after 7:15 pm.
 
Please join the meeting a few minutes before 7:30, to enable us to start the meeting on time.

See you at the meeting!








Important Notice: 

Please be advised that Dr. Wilf Nicholls' February talk
"Georgia on my mind: Some History, Horticulture and Botany - 1700s to present"
has been postponed.

In its place the following talk will be presented

February Wildflower Society Zoom Meeting

February 21st, 2023, 7:30 p.m. (Tuesday)

Speakers:  Michael Burzynski & Anne Marceau

Topic:  "Wildflowers of Chile, a botanical travelogue from the Atacama Desert in the north to the Andes Mountains in Patagonia in the south"


Karen Herzberg will be sending out the link for the meeting a day or two before.

Should you be unfamiliar with Zoom, or wish to socialize a bit, you can join the meeting after 7:15 pm.
 
Please join the meeting a few minutes before 7:30, to enable us to start the meeting on time.

January Wildflower Society Zoom Meeting

January 17th, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. (Tuesday)

Topic:  Members share their images from 2022

John Maunder has once again been kind enough to put our images together for presentation.

Karen Herzberg will be sending out the link a few days before our meeting. 

A reminder, if you are uncertain about linking for a zoom meeting, please connect 10-15 minutes before start of meeting in case of a problem.



Image: Clyde Thornhill in action on the Geo Centre Trail during our 
chuckley-pear walk.






December Wildflower Zoom Meeting
Tuesday, December 13th at 7:30 p.m.

Speakers: Carissa Brown & Heather Baehre,
 from the Department of Geography, Memorial University

Topic:  "The Secret of Diapensia & the Newfoundland Barrens

Diapensia laponica by Gene Herzberg

November Wildflower Zoom Meeting

Tuesday, November 8th at 7:30 p.m.

Speaker: Todd Boland 

Topic:  Alpines of the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland


The Zoom link will be sent to members by email before the meeting. 

Should you be unfamiliar with Zoom, or wish to socialize a bit, you can join the meeting after 7:15 pm.
 
Please join the meeting a few minutes before 7:30, to enable us to start the meeting on time.

Fall Tree Walk at Bowring Park

Saturday, October 22nd, at 2:00 pm


Leader: Todd Boland

Meeting place:  We will gather at the east end of the west end parking lot (the end of the parking lot closest to the Waterford Hospital).

Please wear a rain-jacket just in case of showers.

October Wildflower Zoom Meeting

October 18th, 2022,  (Tuesday) 7:30 p.m.

Speaker: Anne Madden

Topic: Camping with Wildflowers at Butterpot Provincial Park.


 Anne will be focusing on three to four areas of the park that are her favorite spots to visit and explore.

The Zoom link will be sent to members by email before the meeting.

Should you be unfamiliar with zoom, or wish to socialize a bit, you can join the meeting after 7:15 pm. 

Please join the meeting a few minutes before 7:30, to enable us to start the meeting on time.








Photo by Bill


Participants in the Little Soldiers Pond Walk July 23

Wildflower Society Walk

Little Soldiers Pond
Saturday, July 23
10:00 AM

Led by Gene and Karen Herzberg


We will meet at the access road to Little Soldiers Pond.

Directions: Drive west on the TCH from St John’s. Go past the Foxtrap Access Road. Just beyond the truck weigh station you will see the power lines crossing the highway. Turn onto the narrow gravel access road at the power lines. There is parking just up the narrow road. You shouldn’t park along the Highway.

We will walk down to the bog near the pond. There are a number of orchids and sundews as well as other interesting wildflowers along the path down to the bog.

If the weather is bad we will try for the same time and place on Sunday July 24.

If unsure you can call Karen at 727-5906. You can also check the Society Website, for any update. We will post a notice if the day of the walk is changed.

See the map below for more help in finding Little Soldiers Pond.

Here are a few photos of participants on the June 9th Chuckley Pear Walk
Photos of some of the plants seen are posted on the 2022 photos page

Photo by Carmel Conway

Photo by Clyde Thornhill




Photo by Karen Herzberg



Photo by Gene Herzberg

Chuckley-Pear Walk 
Thursday, June 9th, at 10:00 a.m. 

We will be starting our wildflower season with a chuckley-pear walk lead by Glen Ryan, exploring the beautiful trails around the GEO Centre In St. John's.

Please wear a mask if you have Covid concern and remember to keep a safe distance.

Notice of May Wildflower Society Zoom Meeting

May 10th, 2022 (Tuesday) 7:30 p.m. NL time

Speaker:  Sue Meades

" Flora of the Churchill River Valley pre-hydro development"

The Zoom link will be sent to members by email before the meeting.

Should you be unfamiliar with zoom, or wish to socialize a bit, you can join the meeting after 7:15 pm. 

Please join the meeting a few minutes before 7:30, to enable us to start the meeting on time.

Aerial Images of the Churchill River Valley from Sue Meades

Notice of April Wildflower Society Zoom Meeting

April 12th, 2022 (Tuesday) 7:30 p.m. NL time

Guest Speakers:  Anne Marceau & Michael Burzynski

" Exploring the Wildflowers, Landscape, and Ecology of Greece"

The Zoom link will be sent to members by email before the meeting.

Should you be unfamiliar with zoom, or wish to socialize a bit, you can join the meeting after 7:15 pm. 

Please join the meeting a few minutes before 7:30, to enable us to start the meeting on time.

Notice March Wildflower Society Zoom Meeting

March 8th (Tuesday) Wildflower Society Zoom Meeting

        Start time: 7:30 p.m.

Guest Speaker: Claudia Hanel

"In Dire Straits? Wildflowers in a little corner of the Big Land".

Claudia's talk will be about the area from the Quebec Labrador Border to just past Red Bay, including Belle Isle and around the Point Amour Lighthouse.

The Zoom link will be sent to members by email before the meeting.

Should you be unfamiliar with zoom, or wish to socialize a bit, you can join the meeting after 7:15 pm. 

Please join the meeting a few minutes before 7:30, to enable us to start the meeting on time.





NOTICE OF FEBRUARY WILDFLOWER ZOOM MEETING 

Date: February 8th (Tuesday), 7:30 p.m.

Topic: "Landscapes and Wildflowers of Northern Labrador"

Speakers: Michael Burzynski & Anne Marceau

The Zoom link will be sent to members by email before the meeting.

Should you be unfamiliar with zoom, or wish to socialize a bit, you can join the meeting after 7:15 pm. 

Please join the meeting before 7:30, to enable us to start the meeting on time.

















Wildflower Society of Newfoundland and Labrador - January 2022 Meeting:

Date: January 18th, 2022 (Tuesday) at 7:30 P.M. Nfld. Time on Zoom

Leader: John Maunder    Title: Year-End Slide Show






Photo above was taken by John Maunder   "A small fly on a Nuphar at Berry Hill Pond, GMNP, August 18, 2017."

Our annual compilation of members’ botanical photos will be presented by John, via Zoom on the date and time indicated above.

A Zoom link will be sent out to members a few days before the meeting. Please mark Jan. 18th on your 2022 calendars.

It would be helpful if those members who submitted photos, and who might be interested in adding "live commentary", could be present on the Zoom meeting.  

After the presentation, a download link to the Slide Show will be sent out to everyone, in both PowerPoint and .pdf file formats. 
 
If you have any questions or concerns about the meeting, please contact Karen Herzberg,  Zoom host at karenherzberg@warp.nfld.net







Notice of December 2021 Wildflower Zoom Meeting

Date: December 14th, 2021 (Tuesday) at 7:30 p.m. (NF Time)

Speaker: Sue Meades

Topic: "Flora of the Kaipokok Bay area, south of Postville, Labrador




MicMac Hill (alpine area)






A string fen from SW of Jacques Lake


The Zoom link will be sent to members by email before the meeting.

Should you be unfamiliar still with zoom, or wish to socialize a bit, you can join the meeting anytime after 7:15 pm. 

Karen Herzberg will be your Zoom host again.


Notice of November 2021 Wildflower Zoom Meeting

Tuesday, November 16th, 2021 at 7:30 p.m. (NF Time)

Speaker: Luise Hermanutz

Topic: "What's happening on the Limestone Barrens? An update on the braya goings on"

The Zoom link will be sent to members by email before the meeting.

Should you be unfamiliar still with zoom, or wish to socialize a bit, you can join the meeting anytime after 7:15 pm. 

Karen Herzberg will be your Zoom host again.







NOTICE OF OCTOBER 2021 WILDFLOWER ZOOM MEETING

Date: Tuesday, October 12th, 2021, 7: 30 p.m.

Speaker: Todd Boland

Topic: "Georgia on my mind.....the country that is!"

The Zoom link will be sent to members by email before the meeting


Primula algida


Upcoming fall lectures and other business

Attention Wildflower NL members:

I am sure most members were able to enjoy our wonderful spring and summer weather wildflowering and picture- taking and which continues now into the fall.  Unfortunately, we don't seem to be out of the woods yet in terms of Covid, and for safety concerns our Society will not be able to avail of the Botanical Gardens lecture room for our fall/winter meetings.

Fall Lecture Series: However, we are delighted to be able to offer members several interesting zoom lectures.  We will be starting off with Todd Boland presenting a talk "Wildflowers of Georgia" on October 12th, at 7:30 p.m.  For November and December months, Luise Hermanutz and Sue Meades, will be each giving us a talk on their research in Labrador, which is a topic we have not explored in depth, and which makes these lectures especially exciting.

Karen Herzberg has kindly offered to share her zoom program so that we can partake in on-line lectures. In the coming weeks, Karen will be sending out an e-mail with instructions on how to connect on the evening of Todd's lecture, October 12th.  Through Karen's zoom program and her guidance our executive has already had several meetings via zoom and it was not in any way a complicated or intimidating process.  So, we do hope all members will be able to participate and enjoy our topics.

Membership Fee:  Unfortunately, as we were regrettably not able to offer any wildflower walks this past summer and with no upcoming meetings at the Botanical Gardens, the executive has decided to forgo membership fee for 2021/2022.

End of the year slide images:  John Maunder has kindly agreed to put together our end -of-the-season slide show, which he hopes to send out in January.  The deadline for picture submission will be November 1st and John will be sending out an e-mail with the rules for submission.  This notice gives members time to start going through their images and submitting as early as possible.  If you have any questions John can be reached at: jem@nl.rogers.com

Sarracenia: After many years as editor of the Sarracenia, Howard Clase, has decided to step down and John Maunder has kindly offered to become our new editor. We wish to thank Howard for his many years as our hard-working editor pulling together so many great issues. We feel certain that Howard will continue to provide valuable information for future Sarracenias.  Howard's final issue as editor will be coming out soon.

So for now, watch for Karen's e-mail for instruction on connecting to zoom, and reminder of Todd's talk on October 12th at 7:30 "Wildflowers of Georgia".

Stay Safe!

Carmel Conway
& all Executive members



The 2021 Annual Financial Statement is now available on the Annual Financial Reports Page







The 2020 Annual Financial Statement is now available on the Annual Financial Reports Page



Small purple-fringed orchid (Platanthera psycodes)
Starlite Trail, July 18, 2020











Attention all Wildflower Members:  Dealing with COVID-19 Restrictions and Cancellation of Walks until further notice 


Despite the restrictions still in place due to COVID-19, we do hope members have had the opportunity to get out on our trails and enjoy our lovely array of wildflowers.  It seems to be a very encouraging season with many plants blooming earlier than expected. 

Unfortunately, despite easing of COVID-19 restrictions, we will not be scheduling any formalized wildflower walks for the next while.  We prefer to lean on the side of caution for everyone’s safety. Perhaps by the middle or end of July, we might be back to some semblance of normal and will notify members of our short-notice “pop-up walks”. 
In the meantime, we encourage members to get out on their own to explore as our season flies by so fast.  Perhaps you might be interested in posting an image or two on the Wildflowers of Newfoundland Facebook page.  If you are not on Facebook and you see something really exciting and would like to share your finding, please contact any of our executive by e-mail or phone. 
Enjoy!  Be safe! 
Carmel Conway                                                                        

Howard, our editor, is putting together material for our the latest edition of Sarracenia, which you should receive in the coming days. Howard has a request of members, please see below. 
 

1. I've set up a Citizen Science Project on the Facebook page “Wildflowers of Newfoundland” to try to find out about the distribution of Wild Chervil, Anthriscus sylvaticus, on the Island, and would welcome any reports with pictures from outside the St John's area – details on Facebook. (I must have good pictures as there are several other similar plants – the very first ones I received were of a different plant.) This is largely experimental to see how useful collecting data this way would be.
2. Have any of our members used one or more of the plant identification apps that are available for smart phones? If so I'd be interested in a review for Sarracenia - how easy are they to use and how accurate is their identification for example. (send to sarracenia@nl.rogers.com)

Kalmia procumbens





Diapensia laponica


There is new link on the Links Page to a series of Outdoor Guides written by Henry Mann for the Pasadena Ski and Nature Park.





Notice of March Wildflower Meeting
March 10th, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
MUN Botanical Gardens
 
Speaker:  Todd Boland
 
Topic: Adaptations of Newfoundland Artic-Alpine Flowers


Purple Saxifrage (Saxifraga oppositifolia)

February Wildflower Meeting
 
February 11th, 2020 (Tuesday evening)
MUN Botanical Gardens, Mt. Scio Road
Meeting time: 7:30 p.m.
 
Guest Speaker:   Sara Jenkins, Vice-President of Nature NL & Editor of Omphalina
 
Topic:  “Fabulous Fungi and Friends”
 
 

• Hope to see you there -

• Hope to see you there!

Just a note to remind members that our Christmas Party will be held on Tuesday, January 14th, 2020. 
Like last year, we moved our get-together to the New Year, so as not to interfere with the “Merry & Bright” Festival.   A reminder of our get-together and “slideshow” will be sent early in the New Year.
 
On behalf of the executive, I would like to wish all  members a joyful and relaxing  holiday season!
 
Carmel Conway
Wildflower Society of NL

November Wildflower Society Meeting

 
November 12th, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.
MUN Botanical Gardens
 
Speaker: NL Nature Photographer, Brian Bursey
 
Topic:  “Eclectic Observations from travels through Newfoundland and Labrador”
 
 
Reminders: Deadline for submission of images for our end -of- the year party is
November 12th, 2019.
You can either submit your pics to John Maunder at our upcoming meeting or forward by e-mail to: jem@nl.rogers.com








Notice of October Wildflower Meeting
 
October 8th (Tuesday) 7:30 p.m.
MUN Botanical Gardens
 
Speaker:  Clyde Thornhill
 
Topic:   “Wildflowers, Landscapes and Critters”
 
Hope to see you there!

Wildflower Society Walk
Goose Pond, Shearstown
"True" Queen Anne's Lace, and other things

Leader: John Maunder
Saturday, September 7, 2019, meet at Goose Pond at 11:00 a.m. (sharp)

(if the weather is foul on Saturday, Sunday will potentially be the alternate date)




The "fancy bracts" below the flower head of the "true" Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota).

HOW TO GET THERE
Drive through Bay Roberts, going north.

After you pass the highschool (Ascension Collegiate), take the first significant road (Shearstown Road) to the left (if you pass a service station on the right, you have gone too far).
Drive about 1.55 km along Shearstown Road, then take a right turn onto New Hill Road.
After crossing a small bridge, take an immediate right onto North Side road, then, after 0.15 km (having ignored the immediate left onto Holmes Road), take a left onto Goose Pond Road.
After 0.5 km on Goose Pond Road, you will see a fork in the road; keep left until you reach the parking area at the pond.

ADDED BONUS

For those with enough energy left after the Goose Pond walk, we will have lunch at the picnic area just N of Spaniard's Bay beach, and then visit the Spaniard's Bay saltmarsh, at the NE end of Muddy Hole Road, to see the very tall Phragmites (Reed Grass) stands and other saltmarsh wonders.

MAPS

1. Main map (below)

2. Closeup of the tricky turns in Shearstown (below)

Here is a link to an article in the Evening Telegram about Bill and Sue Meades and the Flora of Newfoundland and Labrador website

https://www.thetelegram.com/news/local/botanists-flora-of-newfoundland-and-labrador-website-celebrates-provinces-plant-life-342234/



Sue and Bill Meades have created a very useful site about the flora of Newfoundland and Labrador.
I encourage you to visit and use the site.

https://newfoundland-labradorflora.ca/

Wildflower Society Walk
Little Soldiers Pond
Saturday, August 10
10:00 AM
Led by Gene and Karen Herzberg

We will meet at the access road to Little Soldiers Pond
Drive west on the TCH from St. John’s, go past the Foxtrap Access Road. Just beyond the truck weigh station you will see the power lines crossing the highway. Turn into the gravel access road. There is parking just up the road so you don’t need to park along the Highway.
We will walk down to the bog near the pond. There are a number of orchids and sundews as well as other interesting wildflowers along the path down to the bog.
If the weather is bad we will try for the same time and place on Sunday August 11. If unsure you can call Karen at 7275906. You can also check the Society Website, for any update. We will post a notice if the day of the walk is changed.

Map to location below








White fringed Orchid (Platanthera blephariglottis). Taken at Little Soldiers Pond bog, August 4

Wildflower Society Gallows Cove Trail Walk

Leader, Howard Clase 
 
Saturday, August 3rd, at 10:00 we will meet at Gallows Cove Road
 

Drive past Foodland in Torbay and turn onto Gallows Cove Road, the second turning to the right, there is space for several cars at the bottom of the road, and more on a vacant lot a little way back, and also by the roadside.
There are some muddy spots along the trail, but they are only very shallow
This used to be a favorite walk for the Society in the early days, but it seems to have changed a bit. We will be joined by Sue and Bill Meades.  Sue is our society's founder and first president.  Hope to see you there! Howard Clase. 753-6415 email hclase@mun.ca. or Saturday only 727-6410
If there is any uncertainty or doubt due to weather

Wildflower Society Field Trip
Voisey's Brook Park, Portugal Cove
Saturday, July 13, 2019
(weather permitting, watch your e-mail)

Meet at the "Jera Street trailhead" (see map, and further directions, below) at 10:30 am.

Please DO NOT meet at the "ball field entrance" on the Indian Meal Line

Few-flowered Sedge (Carex pauciflora) in "Arethusa bog", Voisey's Brook Trail, Portugal Cove, July 10, 2019.
(Measurements tip-to-tip across the greenish parts are about 8 mm) Photo - John Maunder.



Detailed directions (see map below)
From St. John's, either [1] drive out the Portugal Cove Road to just past the Indian Meal Line, then almost immediately turn right onto Bauline Line Extension, or, [2] drive out Torbay Road, then turn left onto the Indian Meal Line (just past the Torbay bridge), proceeding across the Indian Meal Line to Portugal Cove Road, then turn right and almost immediately turn right again onto Bauline Line Extension.
Then proceed on up Bauline Line Extension about 4.2 km, and turn right onto Chesley Van Heights [road] (the name is on the road sign but not on the map below - look for a yellow "Blind Hill" sign at the beginning of Chesley Van heights [road] - also, the house across the road is a sort of brick red colour). If you miss this first road, turn right on the very next road which is called Woodland Drive.
In either case, eventually turn right onto Jera Street, and watch for a gravel area with a trail leading straight off to the left (the trail is marked by an aluminum-framed sign with a map on the far(!) side of it).
Please park as far off the road as possible, all on one side.

Trail Map (see diagram below)
Note the complicated trail system. It would be useful to print off a copy of this diagram to put in your pocket. It's REALLY easy to get lost in this park!

Again, meet at the "Jera Street trailhead"

Wildflower Society
Chuckley Pear Walk
GEO Centre Trails, St. John's
"Our Traditional Welcome to Summer"

Meet at the GEO Centre Parking Lot, Signal Hill
Sunday afternoon, June 23, at 2:30 pm

Chuckley Pears on the Lower Trail, behind the GEO Centre
Photo taken June 20, 2019
John Maunder

Wildflower Society Field Trip
Hawke Hills, Avalon Peninsula.
Thursday, June 20, 2019

Meet at the summit near the communications towers at about 11 am (but, see note about the road up to the towers, later, below).

A set of directions and a map are appended.

Hawke Hills, Newfoundland. Alpine barrens. June 6, 2004. [Digital - John Maunder]
It has been really hard to judge the weather this Spring. Maybe we are doing this trip a wee bit later than we should be? But, hopefully there will still be some examples of the Alpine Azalea and the May-June-flowering form of Diapensia on the Hawke Hills.
Not to worry though, because there are plenty of other interesting plants in the area!
And, the weather forecast is supposed to be good.
Hope to see you there.
JOHN MAUNDER




Below is a set of directions to the Hawke Hills, for those approaching from St. John's.
After crossing the Witless Bay Line, you will soon pass the exit to Holyrood (Route 62). Stay on the TCH. After a short bit, as the highway starts to rise, you will see, on the OPPOSITE SIDE of the divided highway, a narrow dirt track exiting the TCH and immediately veering sharply to the right as it starts uphill to the communications towers on top of Hawke Hill. If the weather is clear, the towers will be plainly visible from some distance.
??
Because of the divided highway, you will actually have to pass the Hawke Hill and drive about 6 km or so further on, to the Salmonier Line (Route 90) overpass. At this point, use the overpass to switch directions and drive back towards St. John's on the other side of the divided TCH. Just after you have crested the highest point on the highway between the Salmonier Line overpass and the Hawke Hill, on the return trip, keep watching, on the right, up ahead, for the dirt track to the top of Hawke Hills ... It is hard to see on the approach and can be missed if you are not watching for it [as the construction people say: "Be Prepared to Stop"]. Proceed up the steep dirt track to the top at the towers IF your vehicle has decent ground clearance. It may take a bit of "guerilla driving" in places. Otherwise, leave your car at the bottom of the hill and walk up ... Be warned that it is a wee bit of a climb (and will take maybe half an hour), but there are interesting plants along the way.

May Wildflower Meeting
May 14th, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. (Tuesday)
MUN Botanical Gardens
 
Guest Speakers: Tegan Padgett & Travis Heckford
 
Topic:   “Flora of Oaxaca State, Southern Mexico”




Myrmecophila grandiflora, Botanical Gardens in Oaxaca City







April Wildflower Meeting
April 9th, (Tuesday), 7:30 p.m.

MUN Botanical Gardens
 
Speaker: Howard Clase
 
Topic:  “The Botanical Year Branscombe’s Pond”





Branscombe’s Pond     photo by H. Clase




Joe-Pye-Weed, Eutrochium maculatum   photo by H. Clase



Susan and Bill Meades have developed an invaluable website “Flora of Newfoundland” which presents information on all vascular plant species of Newfoundland and Labrador
 
Click on to explore: https://newfoundland-labradorflora.ca/






March Wildflower Meeting
March 12, 2019 (Tuesday) 7:30 p.m.
MUN Botanical Gardens
 
Topic:   “Spring Wildflowers of New Zealand....a whiter shade of pale”
 
Speaker: Todd Boland

Eglinton Valley




 
Ourisia calycina

February Wildflower Meeting
Tuesday, February  12th, 7:30 p.m.
MUN Botanical Gardens
 
Speaker:   Dr. Yolanda Wiersma
 
Topic:  “Lichens on the island of Newfoundland: What do we know, and what can we learn?”
 
Hope to see you there!

 

 
Sphaeropphorus globosus (coral lichen)
Photo by: Troy McMullin







Reminder That the Annual Wildflower Christmas Party and Members Slide Show will take place  January 8th, 2019,
 
                                                   Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

     
 









Recent Updates

Please note: The postponement of our "December Christmas get together and Slide Show" until January

The Wildflower Society "Christmas Slide Show".

This year, our annual "Christmas Slide Show" will take place in early January, NOT in early December.

Your photos are NEEDED!

The Rules:

1. We will be holding our annual Christmas "Slide Show" in early January this year.

2. This "Slide Show" is the yearly opportunity for our members to show, and talk about, the things they have been doing and seeing, botanically, during the past summer (or so).

3. Like last year, we WILL NOT be holding a SEPARATE "Photo Competition". ALL submitted photos will be incorporated into a single integrated Christmas "Slide Show".

4. Don't be shy! Rummage through your hard drives, and send us your best and/or most interesting images.

5. The rules for submission are: Up to FIFTEEN photos per person. No categories. No dates. No geographical restriction ... However, the subject of submitted photos should be botanically related.

6. Please note that by keeping the number of photos, per person, down to 15, we hope that the show will be less tiring, and much more enjoyable.

7. But, please note this additional proviso. If it is required, in order to streamline the presentation still further, the compiler will reserve the right to edit the total number of photos down to a still more manageable figure.

8. We request that all photo contributions be sent to our compiler, John Maunder, by, at the very latest, December 15. But, the earlier, the better.

9. Please send your contributions by e-mail to jem@nl.rogers.com [use attachments, or remote server links (i.e. Picassa, etc.)]; or by snail-mail (John Maunder, P. O. Box 250, Pouch Cove, NL A0A 3L0) (Please keep the total size of any single e-mail down to about 15 MB).

10. If you are able to, please submit photos with a size of 1024 x 768 pixels. Otherwise, please submit however you can ... John will adjust the photo size after the fact.

11. Like last year, during the course of producing the show, our compiler will note those photos that he considers to be "particularly noteworthy" [no set number; the selection will depend upon what is submitted to the Christmas Slide Show].

12. During the actual presentation of the show, these "noteworthy" photos will be acknowledged, and prizes, or at least copious praise, will be offered up on the spot.

SO. GET SORTING!

Thanks much. 

JOHN


Since the Botanical Gardens is having such great success with its Merry & Bright Holiday Light Festival, they have decided to run the event for a longer period. As a result the WIldflower Society "Christmas get together and Slide Show", originally scheduled for December 11th, 2018, will be postponed until January 8th, 2019 (Tuesday). The "silver lining" is that this postponement will give members extra time for Fall picture taking, and for selecting images for the slide show.  John has set a deadline of December 1, 2018 for photo submissions ... although the earlier you send your photos to him the better. Guidelines for submission of photos will follow soon, although the guidelines will be pretty much the same as they were last year.

November Wildflower Meeting
November 13th, 2018 (Tuesday)
7:30 p.m.
MUN Botanical Gardens
 
Speaker:  Wildflower Society member Clyde Thornhill
Topic:  "Wildflower Photo Album 2018"
 
Clyde travels extensively around the province capturing magnificent wildflower images you are sure to enjoy!
 
Hope to see you there!





Wildflower Society Field Trip
“The Trees of Bowring Park” 
City arborist, David Evans, will be leading us in a  Bowring Park Tree Walk on October  4th, 2018 (Thursday).
Time:  1:30 p.m.
Meeting place: At the conservatory
See you there!
 

Carmel Conway
Wildflower Society of NL 

October Wildflower Meeting
 October 9th, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.
MUN Botanical Gardens 
*Please note that our meeting for October month will be starting a half hour earlier, as Barry will be travelling from Carbonear.
 
 SPEAKER:  Dr. Barry Hicks, Bee Expert, College of the North Atlantic 
Title of Talk:  Flowers and insects: the buddy system
 
 Dr. Hicks will outline the close relationship of insects and flowering plants.  Bees are the most important pollination insects.  We will discover the different species of bees in Newfoundland and their importance to NL ecosystems.

 




Wildflower Society Walk

Sunday, September 9th, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. (sharp)

"Our Concrete Gardens"
The Sidewalks of St. John's
 
Leader:  John Maunder
 

Broadleaf Dock, Bitter Dock (Rumex obtusifolius) [NF] [i]

MEET AT the bottom of Sherwood Drive (it's actually a "Place").
This dead-end street is located just "west" of the "General Protestant Cemetery" on Waterford Bridge Road.
We will proceed "eastward", mostly on sidewalks (with some small detours), as far as "the big bridge to Shea Heights", and then return to the cars via a second, parallel, route.
Total distance is about 2 km (of mostly very easy walking).







Wildflower Society Walk
Upper Three Corner Pond, Torbay

"Toads, Perplexing Bur-reeds, and lots of Canada Yew"
 
Leader:  John Maunder

Saturday, August 18th, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. (sharp)
(if weather is foul on Saturday, Sunday will be alternate date)

[Yes. It does look a lot like Power's Pond in Mt. Pearl, but it's actually very different!]

HOW TO GET THERE
For those coming from St. John's, turn left onto the Bauline Line just past the Torbay post office ... (OR, turn left onto the Bauline Line from the Torbay By-pass Road).
Drive about 3.95 km towards Bauline, from the Torbay Highway ... (OR, about 2.05 km towards Bauline, from the Torbay By-pass Road)
On the left, just BEFORE a "very high net on poles" that prevents soccer balls kicked from a community soccer pitch from landing on the road, there is a very inconspicuous break in the trees that looks like a driveway entrance, until you come level with it ... It's actually a small parking area, big enough for about 5 cars. That's where the trail starts. There is NO SIGN!
If there are no other cars in that small parking spot, it is a good parking option. However, don't block anyone in!
You may want to go slightly past that small parking spot, and park somewhere within, or near, the above-mentioned soccer pitch area.
Wherever you park, PLEASE MEET at the small parking area described above.


See the 2 maps appended below.

general view



close-up view

Wildflower Society Field Trip
    Branscombe's Pond Tuesday August 7th at 10.00 a.m.

Leader Howard Clase

Branscombe's Pond has the best selection of waterside plants that I know of around St John's. So far I have a list of about 120 species, and it's different every time I visit.
There are two and a half ways to get to the meeting point, which is a group of four wooden benches on the boardwalk alongside the pond, one of which has a memorial plaque to Joanne Fifield, and, probably, a pink Teddy Bear fixed next to it. (There is another similar group of benches nearby without the plaque or the Teddy Bear).
Directions from St John's:

1. Proceed along Blackmarsh Rd from the ring road until you cross the unfinished extension to route 3, then turn immediately left onto Gadwall Place. The entrance to the trail around the pond is behind the mailbox at the bottom. Turn left along the trail until you reach the meeting point.
2. Proceed along Topsail Rd about 250 m past the entrance to the Cineplex Cinemas and turn right onto Goldeneye Place. There are two access paths to the pond.

1. One entrance path is between #s 19 & 21. There is a crosswalk at this location, don't block it. Turn right when you reach the trail to get to the meeting point.
2. If there are already a lot of cars parked at the lower entrance carry on until you come to two mailboxes on the left, there is a second entrance between #s 33 &35. In this case turn left when you get to the trail around the pond to get to the meeting place.

Wildflower Society Walk

Foxtrap Marina = Foxtrap Harbour

"Boats, Purple Loosestrife, and Giant Manna Grass"

Leader:  John Maunder
 

Saturday, August 4th, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. (sharp)
(if weather is foul on Saturday, Sunday will be alternate date)

MEET AT: Foxtrap Marina = Foxtrap Harbour.
WET off the trail, bring boots.

For those coming from St. John's, take the TCH, then turn down the Foxtrap Access Road.
At the intersection of the Foxtrap Access Road with the CBS Highway, take a quick jig to the right, then another quick jig to the left, onto Delaney's Road. There should be a small sign saying "Foxtrap Harbour".
Go down Delaney's Road to nearly the end. Park on the left, just before the first hauled-up boats. See red pin on the map.

PLEASE DO NOT BLOCK access to any boats or other things ... This is a working harbour.

Map: The yellow pins on the Trailway mark the ends of the primary field trip area, although, depending upon the enthusiasm of the group, we can go further in either direction.
The marsh is shown in lower central area.

Wildflower Walk
Ring Road Cloverleaf at Torbay Road, St. John's
 
Leader:  John Maunder

Saturday, July 21st, 2018  at 10:30 a.m. (sharp)
(if weather is foul on Saturday, Sunday will be alternate date)

There will be a short (1-2 hour) field trip on Saturday morning, July 21 ... primarily to observe the "vicious" and amazing "Marsh Thistle" (Cirsium palustre) (SEE PHOTOS below) ... an introduced species that has "gone mad" in the Ring Road Cloverleaf at Torbay Road, in St. John's. These plants can be 6 feet tall!

Of course, there are numerous other things to see at the same place.

Certainly worth a trip.

MEET AT: the north end of the commercial parking lot just south of the clover leaf on Torbay Road (just south of the Ring Road overpass) at 10:30 am.

WET, bring boots.

JOHN

GEO Centre Chuckly Pear Walk
Signal Hill
Thursday afternoon June 14 2:30 pm
Led by John Maunder

Dress warmly. It's only "June-uary"






The 2018 Financial Statement is available on the Annual Financial Reports page


May Wildflower Meeting
May 8th, 2018 Tuesday, at 7:30 p.m.
MUN Botanical Gardens
 
Speaker:   Todd Boland
 
Topic:   “Wildflowers from the Craters of the Moon”
 
It was an amazing place!  It is a US National Monument in Idaho where there were several lava flows between 15,000 and 2000 years ago.
There are over 600 square miles of lava.
It is very bleak but close inspection shows some lovely plants including several endemics.

April Wildflower Meeting
 
April 10th, 2018, 7:30 p.m. (Tuesday night)
MUN Botanical Gardens
 
Speaker: Gene Herzberg
 
Topic:  “Newfoundland Orchids”

 
 

Cypripedium acaule forma alba
Photo by Gene Herzberg 
 
To compliment our evening of orchids,
 
Ross Traverse has highly recommended a great CBC Radio program featured on the March 22nd, 2018 edition of Ideas by contributing editor, Marilyn Powell
 
“Suggestive, romantic, sexy orchids”
 
click on:
 
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/suggestive-romantic-sexy-orchids-1.4152316





March Wildflower Meeting
 
March 13th, (Tuesday), 7:30 p.m.
MUN Botanical Gardens
 
Speaker:  Alan Whittick
 
Topic:   “Wandering around southern Africa, Plants from  Deserts (Namibia), Wetlands (Botswana)  and Mountains (Lesotho).”

February Wildflower Meeting
Tuesday, February 13th, 2018, 7:30 p.m.
MUN Botanical Gardens
 
Title of Presentation:  Wildflowers of Western Australia
 
Presenter: Pat  Hill
 
Wahlenbergia capensis, taken by Pat-
 

 















December Wildflower Christmas Party and Slide Show
 
Tueday, December 12, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
MUN Botanical Gardens
 
Well it is that time of the year for wildflower members to get together for a glass of cheer and share memories of the past wildflower season.  Please bring along a savoury or sweet treat to share.  Wine, tea & coffee will be provided.








November Wildflower Meeting

MUN Botanical Garden

November 14 (Tuesday) at 7:30 p.m.
 
Speaker:  Todd Boland
 
Topic:   Buttlerflies & Orchids of Northern Greece
 
Todd will delight us with some 40 species of orchids and 40 species of butterflies!
 
-          A reminder- fall time is renewal of membership time  –

October Wildflower Meeting with Nature NL

Thursday, October 19th 2017, 7: 30 p.m. Science Building, Memorial University of NL
Room # SN 2025

 
We are delighted to be able to attend Nature NL October meeting!
 

Speaker:  Luise Hermanutz, MUN Biology Department, long-time Wildflower Member/Speaker

Topic:  Taking actions to stop extinctions - Restoring a biodiversity hotspot on the Island of Newfoundland
 
 
                                                                    There are 24 documented extirpations/extinctions in Canada, and based on some recent reports, we can expect more. We need to take action to stop and reverse the loss our wild species and habitats. But how? The  Limestone Barrens on the Northern Peninsula are a biodiversity hotspot with over 100 rare plants found on a thin, fragmented strip of coast on  the tip of the Northern Peninsula. However in the last 50 years much of the rare limestone barrens habitat has been lost or degraded due to human activities. The limestone barrens are home to 3 SARA listed species: Long’s braya (Braya longii), Fernald’s braya (B. fernaldii) and Barrens willow (Salix jejuna).  These plants are “true Newfoundlanders” as they are endemic and found nowhere else on earth! In order to reverse the trend and secure more habitat to stabilize populations of the rare plants, we have started to restore a quarry at Sandy Cove, adjacent to the Sandy Cove Ecological Reserve. This talk will give an overview of the how we are restoring the barrens and some of its rare plants.
 
Luise Hermanutz is a conservation ecologist and field biologist who studies rare plants, impacts of moose on forest regeneration, and how climate change is affecting the tundra in northern Labrador in partnership with the Nunasiabut government and Parks Canada. She is a professor in the Dept. of Biology at Memorial University in St. John’s.



The Aug. 19 trip for Clarke’s Beach to New Harbour Has been CANCELLED


The trip originally planned for Aug 26 at Bidgood’s Park, The Goulds was held earlier and there is no planned walk for August 26

WFS Field Trip

Bell Island, Conception Bay

August 12, 2017
Leader: John Maunder

 Vicia tetrasperma - Slender Vetch [Eurasian, introduced]

Very tiny! Also, very rare in eastern Newfoundland.

Photo: John Maunder. Bell Island, Conception Bay. Near ferry dock. Waste ground. August 5, 2009.


Try to get the 9:05 AM trip on the MV Legionnaire. [See the ferry schedule appended to bottom of this notice.]

You will need to take your car, or car pool!

Arrive early enough to line up, purchase tickets, etc.

Meet at: the Bell Island end of ferry trip, at about 9:30 am.

If you miss the 9:05 trip, note that we will be puttering about near the ferry terminal (on the Bell Island side),
for a bit, and then heading for the North End Lighthouse area for a while [see appended map, below.]

But note: the next ferry is not until 10:35 am.



Plants of primary interest:

Vicia tetrasperma - Slender Vetch [Eurasian, introduced]

 Vicia sativa var. angustifolia [= subsp. nigra] - Narrowleaf Vetch [Eurasian, introduced in eNfld.]
 Epilobium strictum - Downy Willowherb [only known Newfoundland locality]

Bell Island Ferry Schedule - Saturdays

Ferry Fee Schedule

WFS Field Trip - Shoe Cove Beach

Leader: Carmel Conway

Saturday, August 5, 2017 at 10:00 a.m.

Meeting Place:  Cape Town Convenience, Pouch Cove Highway (on left hand side of highway) - see map below

 
Amongst other things, we are hoping to see the Ragged Robin - if it is still flowering!

 Silene flos-cuculi subsp. flos-cuculi [= Lychnis flos-cuculi subsp. flos-cuculi]  [NF] [i]


Directions:

Just before reaching Cape Town Convenience, you will pass Satellite Road. [Watch for School Zone signs.]

After meeting at Cape Town Convenience we will head on to Shoe Cove Road (first turn off, on the right hand side of the road, past the end of Shoe Cove Pond.).
 

As the path to the beach can be rocky, please wear good hiking boots. Also, the path is uneven and a wee bit steep in places.

 
 
Any questions? Carmel can be reached at: abcrhynd@nl.rogers.com
or 722-0121

CANCELLED BECAUSE OF POOR WEATHER REPORT


WFS Field Trip to Cape Shore and Cape St. Mary's

Scheduled for July 29-30, 2017.


We seem to be jinxed when it comes to running this particular field trip! - It was cancelled last year, also because of the weather!

While it's always hard to judge the weather report more than a few hours ahead, here in Newfoundland! ... The weather report for the weekend DOES NOT look good!

According to the Weather Network:

For Saturday, while the report seems OK, on the surface, the winds [at St. John's] are supposed to be due southerly with gusts to 35+ km/h, with 88% humidity .... In the Cape St. Mary's area, that usually means one thing ... Thick onshore FOG! ... On this evening's NTV weather report, Eddie Sheerr agreed about the fog.

Sunday looks like a total washout, with up to 20 mm of rain, and SE winds with gusts to 50 km/h [that's at St. John's]

According to Environment Canada:

Saturday during the day: Cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers.

Saturday night: Periods of rain.

Sunday during the day: Periods of rain.


Maybe next year?!

If you have a hotel booked, please cancel ASAP.


JOHN MAUNDER

NOTE: CHANGE OF VENUE

WFS Field Trip

"Bidgood's Park", The Goulds


Saturday, July 22, 2017

Meet at 10:30 a.m.

Directions:

Going SOUTH from St. John's ...

Get onto the Ruby Line, in The Goulds.

Between the Goulds Main Road and The Goulds By-Pass Highway turn SOUTH onto the Back Line.

Proceed about 4.1 km south.

Watch for Power's Road, on the right (i.e. west) side of the road. It's easy to miss. However, there should be a sign announcing Bidgood's Park.

Turn right onto Power's Road. Proceed 0.6 km. Turn left onto a small parking area.

See you there.

John Maunder, 335-2462





The approaches to Bidgood's Park, The Goulds

Close-up of Bidgood's Park







Congratulations to Dr. Ross Traverse who was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree by Memorial University on Wednesday, May 31

Field Trips – Wildflower Society – 2017

[For some of the trips, the exact details will be forthcoming at a later date]


Long (2 day+):

Cape Shore (i.e. Cape St Mary’s) Loop: July 29-30. Leader: John Maunder. [Reserve soon; check hotel cancellation policy]

Meet at Placentia, across from the Three Sisters Pub and Restaurant near the south side of the lift bridge, by 10 am.

Stops at Point Verde, Ship Cove (just south side of bridge), and Gooseberry Cove.

Stay overnight at St. Brides.

Stops at Cape St. Mary’s, Point Lance Beach, and (if there is time) Branch River. On the trip home, we may make short stops at Collin’s Pond (“the floating hearts pond”) and Rocky River (both near Colinet).

[Within the two days specified, the exact order, and time, of stops may be jiggled a bit, if weather conditions at the Cape dictate]

Hotels:

Capeway Motel & Efficiency Units, St. Brides [ http://www.thecapeway.ca/ ] (709) 337-2163
Bird Island Resort, St. Brides [ http://www.birdislandresort.com/ ] (709) 337-2450 or 337-2505
Driftwood Cottage, Branch [B&B] [ http://www.driftwoodcottagebranch.com/ ]
[2 rooms]
The Cliffhouse at Red Point, Branch [phone: (709) 338-2055]


One Day (some may want to do a private overnight somewhere, before or after the fact?)

Bordeaux Trail, Arnold’s Cove: July 15. Leader: John Maunder. A 10km loop, fairly level. An ambitious, but fairly easy hike. Varied habitat. Wonderful scenery. This is a full day trip from St. John’s and return. Arrival in Arnold’s Cove should be by 10 am. A morning trip out to the end of the trail, a picnic break there, and an afternoon return. Entering Arnold’s Cove, turn right at school, then left on Monkstown Road. Follow the hiking trail signs.






Little Soldiers Pond: July 22. Leaders: Todd Boland?/John Maunder/Gene Herzberg?

Bell Island (Wabana). August 12. Leader: John Maunder. Take the “first ferry” (details later). [Highlights: Vicia sativa subsp. nigra - Narrowleaf Vetch; Vicia tetrasperma - Slender Vetch; and Epilobium strictum - Downy Willowherb]

Clarke’s Beach to New Harbour: August 19. Leader: John Maunder. Stops: beach NE of South River exit, ”the Horned Bladderwort Pond”, and New Harbour beach. [Will do trip only if pond levels are low]

Brigus and Bristol’s Hope: September 2 (or September 9, depending on flowering dates). Leader: Gene Herzberg? Howard Clase? [Knautia and other things].

Butter Pot Hill Trail, Butterpot Provincial Park: September 23. Leader: John Maunder. First part of trail, past Pegwood Pond is fairly level, the second rises to the lookout. Begins by campsite 58. (Pegwood Pond Trail, Butter Pot Provincial Park … is a shorter version of Butterpot Hill Trail) [Fall berries, etc.)


Short (2 hours + travel):

GEO Centre: Mid-late June (exact date depending on Chuckley Pear flowering date – you will be informed). Leader: Glen Ryan.

Branscombes Pond (off Topsail Road): July 1. Leader: John Maunder.
Powers Pond, Mt. Pearl - July 8. Leader: Clyde Thornhill.
Shoe Cove Beach: August 5. Leader: Carmel Conway.
Bidgood’s Park, The Goulds: Aug 26. Leader needed: John will not be available.

“Pop-up” Walks (short gatherings called on very short notice, by e-mail, in response to a “new discovery”, a rare sighting, or some other noteworthy event – the plant equivalent of a “rare bird alert” outing)

These events will be informal. There will be no set number. They may or may not even happen ... They are an experiment. Anyone can call a “pop-up” trip by quickly notifying Heather, John, Karen, or Carmel (who each have the WFS membership e-mail list).

Calendar (all dates presuppose a rain day the following day, except for the Cape St. Mary’s Loop dates):

June 3 –

June 10 –

June 17 –

June 24 – GEO Centre (date flowering-dependent)

July 1 – Branscombe’s Pond

July 8 – Power’s Pond

July 15 – Bordeaux Trail, Arnold’s Cove

July 22 – Little Soldier’s Pond

July 29-30 – Cape Shore (i.e. Cape St. Mary’s) Loop) (2-day)

Aug. 5 – Shoe Cove Beach

Aug. 12 – Wabana

Aug. 19 – Clarke’s Beach to New Harbour

Aug 26 – Bidgood’s Park, The Goulds




Trips suggestions for NEXT year:

Truce Sound Coastal Trail, Sunnyside, Trinity Bay

The Mizzen Trail, Heart's Content

Seaview Trail, Norman's Cove

May Wildflower Meeting
 
Tuesday, May 9th, 2017 at 7:30 p.m.
 
MUN Botanical Gardens, Mount Scio
 
Speaker:    Eva Musseau
 
Topic: “ The Flora of Dominica”
 
(This is an informal presentation, as we hope to help Eva identify many of her pics)







April Wildflower Meeting
 
Tuesday, April 11th, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. MUN Botanical Gardens
 
Speaker:  Judy Blakeley
 
Topic:  “Floral Images of South Africa” (September 2016)





March Wildflower Society
 
MUN Botanical Gardens,
Mount Scio Road, St. John’s
 
Tuesday, March 14th, 2017
7:30 p.m.
 
Speaker:  Todd Boland
 
Topic: “Spring in Utah’s Mighty Five State Parks”.

The meeting for February 14th is cancelled due to the forecast snowstorm. Todd will give his talk at the March meeting.

FEBRUARY WILDFLOWER MEETING
 
February 14th, 2017 (Tuesday), 7:30 p.m.
MUN Botanical Gardens
 
Speaker:   Todd  Boland
 
Topic:  “Spring in Utah’s Mighty Five State Parks”

Wildflower Society Christmas Party and Slide Show
 
January 10th, 2017, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. MUN Botanical Garden
 
Let’s hope that the weather is favourable!
 
 
We kindly ask members to bring a small sweet/savory to share, with wine, tea/coffee to be served.
 
  
 
Carmel Conway,
Wildflower Society of NL

DUE TO FORECAST OF INCLEMENT WEATHER -  PARTY AND SLIDESHOW POSTPONED - HOPEFULLY CAN CELEBRATE IN MID JANUARY 2017 NEW YEAR - ENJOY YOUR CHRISTMAS

Wildflower Society Christmas Party and Slide Show Postponed due to Storm Forecast
 
December 13th, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. MUN Botanical Garden
 
With our early snowfall, it seems the Christmas season is fast upon us, and time to get together to celebrate a year full of wonderful wildflowering and friendship.  John Maunder has compiled a slide show of many of those memories.
 
We kindly ask members to bring a small sweet to share, with wine, tea/coffee to be served.
 
A reminder to members that our next wildflower meeting will be February 14th, 2017 (no meeting in January).





November Wildflower Meeting,
 
Tuesday, November 8th, 7:30 p.m.
 
MUN Botanical Gardens, Mount Scio
 
Speaker: Alan Whittick
 
Topic:  “Flowers, and some birds from Western Australia”




October Wildflower Society Meeting
 
Tuesday, October 11th, 7:30 p.m.
 
MUN Botanical Garden, Mt. Scio Road
 
 
Topic:   “How are plants responding to climate change? Stories from the boreal forest and the subartic.”
 
Speaker:  Dr. Carissa Brown,
Department of Geography (Memorial University)
 
 
 
[a reminder to members that it is membership renewal time]

 
Also:

Todd Boland with the Rock Garden Society has extended an invitation to any members of our Society who might be interested in attending the next Rock Garden Society meeting, scheduled for September 28th, 7:30 p.m. at the Garden.
This month’s topic will be an overview of the Denver Botanical Gardens and Yampas Botanic Park in Steamboat, Colorado. Several members of the Rock Garden Society, including Todd, were invited to visit these gardens during the NARGS Conference last June. According to Todd, the gardens are quite inspiring.
There will also be a few plants for sale, including a few dwarf ferns.  Also, if any member has anything that they would like to bring along for the sale, please feel free to do so.





The Bristol’s Hope Baldelia Trip has been Postponed to Sunday, September 11 because of the rain forecast for Saturday.


Bristol's Hope – "The Baldellia is in Bloom" - Field Trip: Saturday September 10 [or 11 - rain day).

Leader: Gene Herzberg - cell # 699-5012


Pauline Penney who lives in Bristol’s Hope emailed Karen Herzberg on September 2 to say that the Baldellia was in bloom.
 
For those interested in seeing the Baldellia, Gene and Karen Herzberg will be at the head of the pond at 10:00 on September 10. We (Gene and Karen ) will be there until about noon when we have to leave to check on the renovations at our daughter’s house in Lower Island Cove.
 
Meet where Pondside Road meets the pond at 10 AM.  See: map below.
 
Duration is to be determined by attendees.  You may want to bring a picnic lunch or be prepared to eat at a local restaurant as desired.
 
Species of special interest:
 
Lesser Water-plantain (Baldellia ranunculoides) [only known North American occurrence!]
 
Include your rubber boots in the car because they might be needed in order to take good photos.  Other plants found there, and noted in John’s Digital Flora, are listed at the bottom of this notice.
 
For directions to Bristol's Hope see map below, plus the following directions:
 
Follow Highway 75 to the intersection with highway 70 just beyond Harbour Grace. Turn right onto Highway 70 (Cathedral St.) and take the second turn to the left after about 1 km onto Saddle Hill, after another 500 m turn right onto Main Road, then turn left onto Pondside Road at the intersection.

If Saturday's weather is poor, the trip will take place on Sunday. If in doubt about the weather on Saturday, phone Gene Herzberg at cell # 699-5012.  


 
Baldellia


For those interested in further exploring the edge of the pond and the barachois Gene Herzberg searched John Maunder’s Digital Flora for plants identified as being seen at Bristol’s Hope. Below is a list of those plants. Obviously not a complete list of plants but does identify plants we might see.
 
Baldellia ranunculoides - Lesser Water-plantain
 
Atriplex cf. prostrata  [Final identification pending] - Prostrate Orache
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Between beach and barasway.
 
Callitriche heterophylla - Larger Waterstarwort
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Inner shores of barachois pond. Entangled with charophytes (Nitella sp.).
 
Sparganium angustifolium - Narrowleaf Bur-reed
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Pond behind beach.
 
Polygonum aviculare cf. subsp. rurivagum  [Final identification pending] - Narrow-leaved Knotweed
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Shingle behind [saltwater] barachois beach.
 
Lysimachia terrestris - Swamp Candles
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. In water at edge of barachois
 
Potamogeton pusillus - Berchtold’s Pondweed, Slender Pondweed
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Barachois Pond, inner portion. Freshwater.
 
Galium tinctorium - Dyer’s Bedstraw -
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Near barachois pond. Damp weeds and shrubbery.
 
Ruppia maritima - Ditchgrass, Beaked Tasselweed -
Bristol's Hope. Seaward side of barachois. Brackish.
 
Juncus articulatus - Jointed Rush
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Edge of barachois, near beach roadway. Wet.
 
Scutellaria galericulata var. pubescens - Marsh Skullcap
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Rocky shore of barachois
 
Oenothera parviflora - Northern Evening Primrose
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Gravelly area on barachois bar
 
Carex cf. scoparia var. scoparia - Pointed Broom Sedge
Bristol's Hope, Conception Bay, Newfoundland. Base of cutbank, above beach.






WFS Field Trip
Seal Cove River, and general area
Saturday, August 13, 2016

["half-day" trip]
Trip Leader: Howard Clase (assisted by John Maunder).

Screwstem (Bartonia paniculata subsp. iodandra)  -  (Whole plant, in bud.) Seal Cove River. Cracks in bedrock within river flood area. August 8, 2008. Photo: John Maunder

Meet in front of the College of the North Atlantic (Seal Cove Campus) parking lot, Seal Cove, Conception Bay Highway, at 10:00 am.
Park at an appropriate spot near the highway. We will drive to the Seal Cove River from there.

PLEASE NOTE:
The Seal Cove River site is quite bouldery and uneven, underfoot. Please wear appropriate footwear.
Further to this:
Please also understand that, as is the case for all WFS field-trips, this field trip is completely AT THE PARTICIPANT'S OWN RISK.

DIRECTIONS FROM ST. JOHN'S
Three principal routes:
[1] Drive "west" on the TCH. Turn right onto Holyrood Access Road (Rte. 62). At the junction with the Conception Bay Highway (Rte. 6), turn right and proceed to the College of the North Atlantic Campus at Seal Cove.
[2] Drive "west" on the TCH. Turn right onto the Manuels Access Highway (Rte. 2). Exit to the right, to Manuels, and then go left on the Conception Bay Highway (Rte. 6) to the College of the North Atlantic Campus at Seal Cove.
[3] Drive "west" on the TCH. Turn right onto the Manuels Access Highway (Rte. 2), then stay on Rte. 2 all the way to its end, and then go another 0.5 km. (approx.) on the Conception Bay Highway, to the College of the North Atlantic Campus at Seal Cove.

[Approximate time required to drive to the CONA Seal Cove Campus, from the "Donovan's Overpass", just "west" of St. John's:

[1] VIA THE TCH, the Holyrood Access Road, and the Conception Bay Highway, is about 35 minutes [but note that the TCH is undergoing extensive repaving this week]

[2] VIA the TCH, Manuels Access Road, and the Conception Bay shore highway, is about 30 minutes.
[3] VIA the TCH, Manuels Access Road, and the Conception Bay South Bypass Highway, is only about 15 minutes!]

[See MAP, below]

The Cape Shore Loop trip has been cancelled because of anticipated inclement weather.

WFS Field Trip
Cape Shore Loop
Saturday, August 6, 2016 and Sunday August 7, 2016

[two-day trip]

Nymphoides cordata (Floatingheart) at Collins Pond, just W of Colinet, August 9, 2008 - Photo: John Maunder

Meet at Placentia at 10:00 am on Day 1.

DIRECTIONS FROM ST. JOHN'S

Drive "west" on the TCH. Turn left onto the Argentia Access Road (Rte. 100), just past Whitbourne, and proceed to Placentia.
Cross the big "lift bridge", and then, almost immediately, veer to the left.
 

Park across the road from the front of the "Three Sisters Pub and Restaurant".

[The drive to Placentia, from the "Donovan's Overpass", just "west" of St. John's, is about  1.5 hours

(Note: the last bit, through Dunville, etc., is a residential "slow zone" - watch for "speed traps"!)]

AGENDA
DAY 1:
Point Verde
Gooseberry Cove [Lunch at Gooseberry Cove Beach (pack a lunch)]
St. Brides (brief check-in opportunity)
Cape St. Mary's

Proceed to accommodations

DAY 2:

Meet at the Capeway Motel & Efficiency Units, in St. Brides, at 9:30 am
Point Lance Beach (park at the end of the road by the beach)
Branch (Estuary) (park by the "boat basin")
[Lunch at Branch (pack a lunch, OR, there is a recommended restaurant here,

at Careen's Gas Bar, called "The Loft" - http://tinyurl.com/zkjqu9p ]

North Harbour (short stop along south-end beach)
Collins Pond just W of Colinet (see photo above)

Return home




WFS Field Trip
Baccalieu Trail
Saturday, July 23, 2016 and Sunday July 24, 2016

[two-day trip]

Honckenya peploides (Seabeach Sandwort) and Leymus mollis (Strand Wheat) on Salmon Cove Beach. September 2009. Photo: Susan Maunder

Meet at Fong's Hotel in Carbonear, at 10:00 am on Day 1.
[The drive to Carbonear, from the "Donovan's Overpass", just "west" of St. John's, is about 1.5 hours, or a wee bit less.]

DIRECTIONS FROM ST. JOHN'S

Drive "west" on the TCH. Turn off the TCH at the "Roaches Line Overpass". Stay on Rte. 75 all the way to the outskirts of Carbonear.
Go straight through the lights, and proceed along "fast-food strip". On the left, at the end of the "fast-food strip", is Fong's Hotel.

AGENDA

DAY 1:

Western Bay Point Job's Cove Trail A brief stop just NE of Old Perlican, for Scottish Heather (it may still be just in bud)
Lunch at Grates Cove

There will be the option of lunch at the Grates Cove Studio Restaurant in Grates Cove - http://www.gratescovestudios.com/dining/grates-cove-studios-restaurant/.
NOTE: The food (see the above website link) is a cut above what is available at most places,
but it is apparently well worth the price (which is actually not too bad ... entrees are $14-$21). 
For those who may want a table at the Grates Cove Studio Restaurant, PLEASE RESERVE for 1:30 pm by calling 1 (709) 587-3880.
Please identify yourselves as members of the WFS.

For those who prefer to pack a lunch, there are picnic tables adjacent/across the road.
Grates Cove (Red Head Cove Trail)
Grates Cove (Grates Cove Trail)
Return to accommodations

DAY 2:
Meet at Fong's Hotel in Carbonear, at 9:30 am

Bristol's Hope

(not for Baldellia [too early] but lots of other good stuff there)

Carbonear "town pond trail", by the train, along main town road [park by the Princess Sheila NaGeira Theatre/Carbonear Community Centre]
Salmon Cove [Please note that there is a $5.00/carload fee for this wonderful municipal park]
Lunch at Salmon Cove  Bring packed lunch. Picnic tables, toilets.
Optional stop, upon homeward trip - Harbour Grace (Riverhead), (along shore and saltmarsh near the DC-3 airplane)

[BRING BOOTS - on our last visit most people couldn't get across the small brook!]

Return home

WFS Field Trip
Bellevue Beach
Saturday, July 9, 2016 ("rain day" Sunday, July 10, 2016)

[A full-day trip]

Meet at the "day-use" beach parking lot, at 11:30 am.
[The drive to Bellevue Beach, from the "Donovan's Overpass", west of St. John's, is little under an hour and a half (i.e. 90 minutes)]

DIRECTIONS FROM ST. JOHN'S

Drive "west" on the TCH, PAST the Long Harbour junction. Drive another 14-15 km (approx).
Turn right off the TCH onto Rte. 201 (to Bellevue). Drive about 1.2 km, generally downhill, to a T-junction.
Turn left, and drive about  2 km along "the shore road".
Turn right into the Bellevue Beach camping park. You will be required to pay a nominal "day-use fee"
Proceed to the "day use" beach parking area. (Stay up on "the beach ridge". Don't go down to the formal "swimming beach")
[See MAP below]

AGENDA

We will be exploring the "long beach ridge" (plus the wider areas near its eastern tip), as well as the interesting upper beaches on both sides of the "ridge".
The formal part of the walk will be a slow, wandering affair, of about 2 hours.
So, with lunch thrown in, it should run until ABOUT 2:30 pm. However, depending upon the enthusiasm of the group, it could well run a wee bit longer.
[NOTE: NO HILLS!]

Bring a packed lunch.  
BOOTS

The beach ridge itself is pretty dry, but there are a few wettish spots lower down.
Also, the beach is "beach-rocky", so boots may provide needed ankle support.
Boots are thus at their owner's discretion.

WFS Field Trip
Cupids and Brigus
Saturday, June 25, 2016 ("rain day" Sunday, June 26, 2016)
[A full-day trip]

Meet at the Cupids Heritage Centre http://www.cupidslegacycentre.ca/, 368 Seaforest Drive (the waterfront road), at 10:30 am.
[The drive to Cupids, from the "Donovan's Overpass", is about an hour, or a wee bit more.]

DIRECTIONS FROM ST. JOHN'S
Drive "west" towards the "Roaches Line Overpass". Turn off the TCH onto Rte. 75, then, quite soon after, veer right onto the Roaches Line (Rte. 70).
Nearing South River-Clarkes Beach, turn right onto Rte 60. Then turn left towards Cupids. Proceed to the waterfront. Then continue on to the Cupids Heritage Centre.

AGENDA
We will first visit the excellent "Burnt Head Trails" at the far end of Cupids.
The network of circular seacoast and forest trails takes you by vestiges of long-gone communities and includes a view of an impressive sea arch.
The walk will be an relatively easy couple of hours.
There will be the option of lunch at the Cupids Haven B&B - http://www.cupidshaven.ca/tearoom.html.

Then, for those who are not too tired out, there will be the added option of a short ramble around the lovely neighbouring town of Brigus, after lunch,
with the further option of ending the day with a dish of the famous "Blueberry Cobbler" (="Blueberry Crisp") at the Country Corner Restaurant.


Common Juniper (Juniperus communis), female "cones", Cupids, Burnt Head Trail,
Sept. 25, 2005 - John Maunder

Branscombe's Pond
Wildflower Society Field Trip
Sunday, June 19, 2016, 2:30 p.m.

Photo taken at Branscombe's Pond, about a month ago, on May 14, 2014 - John Maunder

We will try again to visit this wonderful, but generally unknown, "botanical oasis" hiding between Topsail Road and Blackmarsh Road, in the St. John's/Mount Pearl area.

Let's hope that the weather holds. Looks good now.

The Downtown Sidewalks Walk originally scheduled for this weekend will be moved ahead. Stay tuned for that.

Please note that the Branscombe's Pond Walk will be on SUNDAY, not Saturday, so that it isn't too close to
Nature NL's "Annual Charlie Horwood Memorial Pink Lady Slipper Orchid Walk", scheduled for Saturday morning at 10:00 pm.

Also please note that the time on SUNDAY is 2:30 pm in the afternoon, so as not to clash with any morning church services.

Almost all of the trail is either boardwalk or hard gravel. And virtually level. An easy ramble. The walk will be less than 2 hours.

DIRECTIONS:

From St. John's, go out Topsail Road. Drive past "Dodge City" car sales (on the left), and the old mall that still has the "Cineplex Cinemas" in it (on the right).

On your left you will soon find "Mary Queen of the World" church and school.

DIRECTLY across the road from the big parking lot at the church/school is "Goldeneye Place. Turn up Goldeneye Place.

Proceed a short way. The road will soon veer gently to the right.

Look for a break between the houses on the left, that has tallish conifer trees in it. There is a cross-walk there.

In this break between the houses (on the left) there is a wide path to Branscombe's Pond. It is bordered on one side by a brook.

Park on Goldeneye Place.

Map

GEO Centre Chuckly Pear Walk
Signal Hill

SUNDAY afternoon
Led by John Maunder

2:30 pm

Dress warmly. It's only "June-uary"

(The walk will take only an hour or so)


May Wildflower Meeting
 
Tuesday, May 10th, 7:30 p.m. MUN Botanical Gardens
 
Speaker:   Clyde Thornhill
 
Topic:  A Wild Flower Collection & Other Things


 
Please note this meeting will be our last indoor meeting for the season.  The executive will be meeting in the coming weeks to draft a schedule of summer walks.  If you have a suggestion for possible walk, please contact any of our executive members.

Photo of a very early blooming black crowberry by Glen Ryan in the 2016 photos




WILDFLOWER SOCIETY MEETING

Tuesday, April 12th, 2016, 2016 - 7:30 p.m.
Botanical Gardens
Presenter: Todd Boland
Topic: The Flora and Fauna of the Brazilian Cerrado and Pantanal



March Wildflower Meeting
 
MUN Botanical Garden
 
Tuesday, March 8th, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
 
Guest Speaker: Michael Collins
 
Topic:  "Identifying winter twigs- (and what's been eating them!)". 
 
Members can bring as many twigs as they like since we will be using keys etc. to try and identify them. 
 

Important Note:   Members should only bring samples from the wild - not from gardens.
 

The February Meeting is Cancelled Because of the Blizzard Forecast

FEBRUARY WILDFLOWER MEETING
                                                                                                                       
Tuesday, February 9, 2016  -   7:30 p.m.
MUN Botanical Garden
 
Presenter:  Todd Boland
Topic:  The Flora and Fauna of the Brazilian Cerrado and Pantanal

Note that there will be no meeting in January. The next meeting will be Tuesday February 9, 2016

WILDFLOWER SOCIETY CHRISTMAS PARTY!
 
Tuesday, December 8th, 7:30 p.m. (MUN Botanical Gardens).
 
 

It will soon be time to get together for our Christmas Party and end of the year slide show!
 

We ask members to bring along a small treat to share, either sweet or savory, wine, coffee/tea will be provided.
 

See you there!

Members may be interested in two other sources of information about Newfoundland Wildflowers.

There is a facebook group “Wildflowers of Newfoundland” https://www.facebook.com/groups/newfoundland.wildflowers

There is also a “Google Group” nf.wildfowers at  https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/nfwildflowers

There are also two new download links on the Downloads Page: one to the updated Newfoundland and Labrador Flora Annotated Checklist updated July, 2015 by Sue Meades, the other is to the New Edition of Nova Scotia Plants by Munro, Newell and Hill published in 2014

November Wildflower Meeting
 
Tuesday, November 10th, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. MUN Botanical Gardens, Mt. Scio Rd.
 
Speaker: John Maunder
 
Topic:  The "Berries" of Newfoundland: variations of a juicy theme!
 
A quote from the presentation: “What is a berry? The question sounds very simple … but it isn’t!” 









NOTICE OF OCTOBER WILDFLOWER MEETING
 
(Tuesday) October 20th, at 7:30 p.m.
 
MUN Botanical Gardens

Speaker:  Gene Herzberg
 
Topic:   "The Northern Peninsula and a bit more".

 
 

Important notice:  We have decided, at the recommendation of many members, to move our Wildflower Meetings to the second Tuesday of every month and the Gardens has kindly accomodated us in this request.  As the Gardens had a previously arranged workshop planned for October 13th (second Tuesday of October month), they have provided us the alternate date of October 20th, 2015.  However, commencing in November, all future Wildflower Meetings will be held the second Tuesday of every month.
 

 

-a few reminders-
 

Karen Herzberg, our Treasurer, reminds us once again that it is membership renewal time, so please bring your monies along at our next meeting.
 
Howard Clase, Editor of Sarracenia, is eager to receive submissions for our next Sarracenia.
 
John Maunder will be soon requesting submission of images for our Christmas Party, so please start thinking about the images you wish to submit.

The WFS TRIP to Shea Heights is POSTPONED until SUNDAY (October 4). Same time, same place.

WFS Field Trip – Shea Heights (Southside Hills)
 
Saturday, October 3, 2015 [or “rain day” – Sunday, October 4; check your e-mail; or phone if necessary]
 
Meet at 10:30 a.m.
 
 
Leader: John Maunder (jem@nl.rogers.com, and 335-2462)
 
 
Trip Goals:
 
Our primary goal is to examine the berry phase of the several crowberry species growing on the Southside Hills, to complement our Spring trip to the top of Nagles Hill.
 
In particular, we will be looking at the peculiar “red-berried” pink crowberries [!] that seem to be unique to the place, and which have puzzled "the experts", to date.
 
For comparison, black and purple crowberries also occur on the Hill.
 
However, the flora of the Southside Hills is interesting for many other reasons. We won’t be looking at just crowberries. Besides, the view is fabulous!
 
 
Directions:
 
From Water Street West, cross the big bridge over the Waterford River.
Proceed uphill towards Shea Heights.
 
Keep LEFT. Stay on the “long loop” route. DO NOT take the “switchback” route marked “Linegar Avenue”.
 
Go past the senior’s home (which is on the left).
 
Eventually, the road will begin to curve to the right.
Pass the crosswalk with the overhead light signals.
 
Keep turning to the right, but stay on the main road.
 
Eventually, the road will crest. Watch for a reddish-orange, iron swing-gate on the left.
 
Pull off the road and park EITHER on the wide shoulder area to the right, opposite the iron gate, or, on EITHER SIDE OF the swing gate on the other side of the road.
 
PLEASE, do not block the swing gate, or, any cars that may be parked on the wide shoulder behind the houses, or any obvious associated property access. Please respect the needs of the residents.
 
 
Footwear and Clothing:
 
The weekend weather is supposed to be significantly cooler than it has been these past few days. Please dress sensibly. Note that the top of the hill is quite barren and exposed.
 
Rain is expected on Friday, so the ground may be quite wet in places. Also, the trail is rather rocky. Please wear appropriate footwear.
 
 
Difficulty:
 
We will be proceeding UPHILL to the area of the communications towers. A few parts of the trail may involve a bit of huffing and puffing, but WE WILL BE TAKING IT VERY SLOWLY. There should be no problem at all for most.

Mundy Pond Trail Wildflower Stroll. 
Please note the change in day.
 
                                   SUNDAY  -  September 13, 2015  (subject to weather)  Time: 10.30 a.m.   
 
Leader:  Glen Ryan

 
Meet: Parking lot across the road from Mews Centre on Mundy Pond Road.
If weather is in doubt, please contact Glen Ryan directly at:  (Cell – 709-728-9027) before you venture out.
Email may not be possible for notification if weather is inclement.
 
Species of interest:
Goldenrod ( 3 species, maybe Brenda's Goldenrod??)
A rare Vetch, Vicia sepium
A big Soft Rush, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani
Burnet Saxifrage, Pimpinella saxifraga
Marsh Woundwort, Stachys palustris
 


Bristol's Hope Field Trip
 
Saturday September 5 [or 6 - rain day)
 
Leaders: Howard Clase/Gene and Karen Herzberg
 
Meet at the south end of the Bristol's Hope barachois at 10 AM.
 
Duration is to be determined by attendees.  Please bring a picnic lunch or be prepared to eat at a local restaurant as desired.
 
Species of special interest:
 
Lesser Water-plantain (Baldellia ranunculoides) [only known North American occurrence!]
 
Include your rubber boots in the car because they might be needed in order to take good photos.  Other plants found there, and noted in John’s Digital Flora, are listed at the bottom of this notice.
 
For directions to Bristol's Hope see attached maps plus the following directions:
 
Follow Highway 75 to the intersection with highway 70 just beyond Harbour Grace. Turn right onto Highway 70 (Cathedral St) and take the second turning to the left after about 1 km onto Saddle Hill, after another 500 m turn right onto Main Rd and follow straight down to the barrachoix - the last bit is called Rocky Lane.  N.B Beach Road across the barachois is not suitable for cars! See maps below.
 
We could also explore the water system farther up to Lady Lake, to see if John's suggestion that the plant might have come over on a float plane in the early years.  Apparently they often "landed" on Lady Lake.
Allow at least 1 1/2 hours to drive from St. John's. Karen's cell is 727-5906.
 
If Saturday's weather is poor, the trip will take place on Sunday.   
 
…………………………………….
 
Gene Herzberg searched John Maunder’s Digital Flora for plants identified as being seen at Bristol’s Hope. Below is a list of those plants. Obviously not a complete list of plants but does identify plants we might see.
 
Baldellia ranunculoides (Linnaeus) Parl - Lesser Water-plantain
 
Atriplex cf. prostrata Boucher ex DC. in Lam. & DC. [Final identification pending]  Prostrate Orache
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Between beach and barasway.
 
Callitriche heterophylla Pursh subsp. heterophylla - Larger Waterstarwort
 Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Inner shores of barachois pond. Entangled with charophytes (Nitella sp.).
 
Sparganium angustifolium Michaux - Narrowleaf Bur-reed
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Pond behind beach.
 
Polygonum aviculare cf. subsp. rurivagum (Jordan ex Boreau) E.-L. Berher [Final identification pending] - Narrow-leaved Knotweed - 
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Shingle behind [saltwater] barachois beach.
 
Lysimachia terrestris (L.) B. S. P. - Swamp Candles 
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. In water at edge of barachois
 
Potamogeton pusillus Berchtold’s Pondweed, Slender Pondweed
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Barachois Pond, inner portion. Freshwater.
 
Galium tinctorium Linnaeus - Dyer’s Bedstraw -
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Near barachois pond. Damp weeds and shrubbery.
 
Ruppia maritima Linnaeus - Ditchgrass, Beaked Tasselweed -
Bristol's Hope. Seaward side of barachois. Brackish.
 
Juncus articulatus Linnaeus - Jointed Rush
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Edge of barachois, near beach roadway. Wet.
 
Scutellaria galericulata Linnaeus var. pubescens Bentham - Marsh Skullcap
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Rocky shore of barachois
 
Oenothera parviflora Linnaeus  -  Northern Evening Primrose
Bristol's Hope, Newfoundland. Gravelly area on barachois bar
 
Carex cf. scoparia Schkuhr ex Willdenow var. scoparia - Pointed Broom Sedge 
Bristol's Hope, Conception Bay, Newfoundland. Base of cutbank, above beach.
 
 
 
 
 
Baldellia

 


Baldellia


 
 
Bristol's Hope
 
 
 
 Bristol's Hope
 



August 30 Harricott , The Tickles, Collin’s Pond (CP) [full day]
Leaders: John Maunder/Howard Clase (H's cell 727-6410)

Meet at east side of Colinet Bridge, near Angelica occurrence, time 11.00.a.m. 
This is at the junction of Highways 91 & 93 and about 90 km (90 min) from St John's.  Drive down the Salmonier Line, follow it through Mt Carmel to Colinet, turn left onto #93 and wait by the roadside.  The Angelica sylvestris is just over the barrier on the river bank. (You can see it in Google Streetsview!)

We will go on to Harricott Bay to look at the estuary area and also some seaside beaches before we pause for lunch (there are no premises providing lunch in the area so you will have to bring your own).

Then we shall walk out to the Tickles (about 3 km) to see if the old house still stands, and try to find the white Horned Gentian.

N.B The trail has been much used by young men on their destructive machines, it will always have wet sections, but since it hasn't been too rainy lately it may not be too bad, however waterproof foot-ware will be essential.

Full Day Field Trip This Saturday August 22

To Whitbourne [and, participants willing, on to Rocky River, Collins Pond, and Cataracts Provincial Park]

Date: August 22 ["rain day" = August 23] 

Leader: John Maunder

Meet, at 10: am, at Monty's Restaurant (and gar bar) parking lot, on the TCH, just as you reach the Whitbourne area from the east

Some species of special interest:

• Mass blooming of Scottish Heather (Calluna vulgaris) [spectacular]
• Black Dogberry (Sorbaronia sp.) in berry
• Black Alder, European Alder (Alnus glutinosa)
• Water Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile) massive beds
• Whorled Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum verticillatum)
• Acadian Quillwort (Isoëtes acadiensis)
• Tuckerman’s Quillwort (Isoëtes tuckermanii)
• Floating Hearts (Nymphoides cordata) [Collins Pond]

The Haricot Field Trip, originally scheduled for this coming Sunday, July 26,, will be re-scheduled, because the flowering season has been SO SLOW!

The new date will probably be sometime in late August.

                                               July 5th, 2015 Sunday, Downtown Wildflower Walk

__________________________________________________________________________________________.

We will meet at 10:00 am at the top of the courthouse steps, Duckworth St. We will then proceed to the "west", by various sidewalk routes. (Last year's walk covered the area to the "east" of the courthouse steps.)

Walk duration: about 2 hours. A slow ramble.

In case of bad weather, watch your e-mail, or call John Maunder at 335-2462.
 

Japanese Pearlwort - Sagina japonica. Water Street. Courthouse parking area. In cracks between cobblestones. Very rare introduction.

Hope to see you on the 5th!
John

ALSO

Booking Accommodation for our July 18-July 19 Field Trip to the Bay Roberts Area (1 night only)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Meeting Time and Place: Powell's Supermarket parking lot (by the main traffic lights in Bay Roberts by 9:30 am on July 18th, 2015. We will botanize all day July 18th, and until sometime after lunch on July 19th, 2015.
 
Please bring boots, rain-gear, magnifying glass, field guide, and lunch time snack.
 

Please book accommation as soon as possible. There is only a few remaining rooms at Bay Roberts Hotel and Scrunchions Restaurant (formerly the Klondyke Hotel)
 

Booking Options: See below, there are also several B&B's in the area (NL Tourism Guide).
 
 
1. Bay Roberts Hotel, 72-76 Water Street, Bay Roberts, phone: 709- 786-4700, fax- 709 786-4747, toll free #: 1-800-786-4703, or email: Reservations@bayrobertshotel.ca
 
 
 
2. Silverwood Inn, Bay Roberts (389-399 Conception Bay Highway) phone: 709 -786-4466, toll free #: 1-800-663-4450, fax- 709 786-1313, or email: silverwoodinn@eastlink.ca
(I have not been there recently, so I cannot vouch for the hotel's quality- John).

 
 
3. Fong's Motel and Restaurant, 143 Columbus Drive, Carbonear, phone- 709-596-5114 or email: contact@fongsmotel.com
 
 
 

Note: On checking price range for both Bay Roberts Hotel and Silverwood Inn, the cost is between $124-$149 plus tax. Double rooms have either two double beds or two queens bed which allows for shared accomodation.
 

On checking with Fong's Motel and Restaurant the cost is approximately $80 plus tax for single room and $84 for double room (two double beds).
 
 
Bay Roberts Hotel and the Silverwood Inn both have restaurants, but neither is open until noon time brunch. However, there are several earteries in close proximity to the hotels. Bay Roberts Hotel is willing to make a breakfast (extra charge).
 
 
 

Further information: please call:
 John Maunder, Leader - phone:335-2462 or jem@nl.rogers.com
OR
Carmel Conway Wildflower Society of NL, phone: 722-0121 or abcrhynd@nl.rogers.com

 
NOTICE OF GEO CENTRE WILDFLOWER WALK
 
Monday, June 8th, 2015 starting at: 6:00 p.m.

Leader: Glen Ryan
________________________________________________________________________
 
 
"Spring Shrubs Blooming"
 
Meet:  parking lot, Geo Centre
 
It might be helpful to bring along "Shrubs of Newfoundland" by Glen Ryan, or "Trees and Shrubs of Newfoundland" by Todd Boland
 
-in case of inclement weather, please contact Glen before heading out for walk: call 739-6146 or cell- 728-9027
 
 
Species of special interest:
 
Chuckley Pear (Amelanchier spp.)!
Rhodora (Rhododendron canadense)
Mountain Holly (Ilex (= Nemopanthus) mucronata)
Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica)

Sunday May 24 WFS Field Trip to See the Three Types of Crowberry on the Top of Nagles Hill, St. John's


Date: Sunday, May 24

Time: 10:30 am

Place: The top of Nagles Hill Road ... Go PAST the entrance to the golf course, all the way to the end of the road.

Parking: At the wide area at the end of the road, from where people walk up to the Three Pond Barrens [note: we will NOT be going up the main Three Pond Barrens path!].

Boots: YES

Hand lens: YES

Crowberries expected:

   E. nigrum nigrum (Common Black Crowberry - male and female flowers on different plants)

   Empetrum nigrum hermaphroditum (Hermaphroditic Black Crowberry - male and female flowers on same plants)

   Empetrum atropurpureum (Purple Crowberry)


For photos of crowberries, see the Crowberry Page on the "Digital Flora" ... http://www.digitalnaturalhistory.com/flora_empetraceae_index.htm


Wildflower Society of Newfoundland and Labrador
Field Trip Schedule, Avalon Peninsula – 2015

Please note that there will be NO week-long field trip this year.

It is acknowledged that all field trips listed below will be held on the Avalon Peninsula. West coast, and other, members are encouraged to organize field trips in their local areas. Please let us know if you do.

All field trip dates are subject to change if the weather is too foul! Dates in square brackets are the first backup dates. All dates, including first backup dates, are either Saturdays or Sundays.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..


May 23 [24] [2 hours] (date is subject to change, depending on eventual flowering dates, stay tuned):

Crowberry (Empetrum) Blooming,
Nagle’s Hill, St. John’s.
Leader: John Maunder

Three “species” of special interest:

Common Black Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum)
Hermaphroditic Black Crowberry (Empetrum nigrum ssp. hermaphroditum)
Purple Crowberry (Empetrum atropurpureum)


June 13 [14] [2 hours] (date subject to change, depending on eventual flowering dates, stay tuned):

Spring Shrubs Blooming (a tradition).
GEO Centre, St. John’s.
Leader: Glen Ryan.

Species” of special interest:

Chuckley Pear (Amelanchier spp.)!
Rhodora (Rhododendron canadense)
Mountain Holly (Ilex (= Nemopanthus) mucronata)
Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica)


July 5 [2 hours] (Sunday morning, because of parking):

Downtown Sidewalks
“west” of the old Museum, St. John’s.
Leader: John Maunder

Current checklist = 156 species!


July 11 [12] [1/2 day]:

Manuels River Trail.
Manuels River, Conception Bay South
Leader: John Maunder

Some species of special interest:

Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum)
Fragile Fern (Cystopteris fragilis)
One-flowered Broom-rape (Orobanche uniflora)
Lake Quillwort (Isoëtes lacustris)
Tuckerman’s Quillwort (Isoëtes tuckermanii)
Harvey’s Hybrid Quillwort (Isoëtes ×harveyi)
Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera)


July 18-19 [two days] [Stay over at Bay Roberts, or Carbonear, or similar.]:

Bay Roberts and General Vicinity.
Leader: John Maunder

Some species of special interest:

Numerous!


July 26 [25] [Note the reverse day-preference because of tide] [full day] [low tide at nearby St. Mary’s is at 10:23 am Sunday July 26 (0.81 m)] [Meet at east side of Colinet Bridge, near Angelica occurrence, at 10:00 am]

Haricot, The Tickles, Collin’s Pond
Leader: John Maunder/Howard Clase

Some species of special interest:

Floating Hearts (Nymphoides cordata) in bloom (Collin’s Pond)
Wild Angelica (Angelica sylvestris) (Colinet Junction)
Virginia Glasswort (Salicornia depressa) (Haricot)
Maritime (= Rich’s) Seablite (Suaeda maritima) (Haricot)
Northern Sandspurry (Spergularia canadensis) (Haricot)
Ditchgrass (Ruppia maritima) (Haricot)
Common Trailing Cinquefoil (Potentilla simplex) (Haricot)
Horned Gentian (Halenia deflexa) (The Tickles)


August 22 [23] [full day]

Whitbourne [option of continuing on to Cataracts Provincial Park, and the Rocky River?]
Leader: John Maunder
Some species of special interest:

Mass blooming of Scottish Heather (Calluna vulgaris) [spectacular]
Black Dogberry (Sorbaronia sp.) in berry
Black Alder, European Alder (Alnus glutinosa)
Water Horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile) massive beds
Whorled Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum verticillatum)
Acadian Quillwort (Isoëtes acadiensis)
Tuckerman’s Quillwort (Isoëtes tuckermanii)


September 5 [6] [full day]

Bristol’s Hope
Leader: Howard Clase/Gene and Karen Herzberg

Species of special interest:

Lesser Water-plantain (Baldellia ranunculoides) [only know North American occurrence!]


September 12 [13] [2 hours]

Mundy Pond, St. John’s
Leader: Glen Ryan

Species of special interest:

Brenda’s Goldenrod (Solidago brendiae)?


September 26 [27] [1/2 day]

Shea Heights (Southside Hills) Communication Towers
Leader: John Maunder

Species of special interest:

Pink Crowberry (Empetrum eamsii), plus the interesting “red-berried variant”

MAY WILDFLOWER MEETING
 
Wednesday, May 6th, 2015, 7:30 p.m.
MUN Botanical Gardens, Mt. Scio
 
Speaker:  Judy Blakeley
 
Topic:    Southern Africa (2014) Part 2: Some Fauna and Flora of South Africa




APRIL WILDFLOWER MEETING
 
April 1st, (Wednesday), 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

MUN Botanial Gardens
Mt. Scio Road
 
Topic:   "Feast of Flowers of Picos de Europa"
(peaks of Europe)
- range of mountains in Northern Coast of Spain-
 
with presenter:  Pat Hill
 
In addition to its fabulous flora, The Picos of Europa contain many of the world's deepest caves and  support a dwindling group of shepherds who move up from the valleys in the summertime with their sheep, goats, cows.  The area is also famed for its piquat blue cheeses.



March Wildflower Meeting

The March Meeting has been rescheduled to March 11