Commons Creeping Crown

Common Speedwell ©Brian Popelier

This species is definately common as you can find it in almost any deciduous forest found along the Trail but it actually is an introduced plant from Europe.

Common St. Johnswort ©Brian Popelier

Another species that lives up to its name as it thrives in open areas and fields. If you look closely at the petals and leaves there are little black dots outlining the edges.

Common Whitetail ©Brian Popelier

This dragonfly is often seen perched atop vegetation waiting to ambush other insects on which it feeds. The black and white pattern makes it easy to identify and gives it a striking appearance.

Creeping Bellflower ©Brian Popelier

You can find this introduced flower in grassy areas with partial shade  and its bright purple colour cannot be missed. Where soil is disturbed it can become invasive and take over the area outcompeting native species.

Crown Vetch ©Brian Popelier

Crown Vetch is a beautiful flower with delicate,pale coloured petals but it is another introduced species and can become invasive in the right conditions. It is often used to stabilize roadsides and banks after construction as it grows fast and thick and you can see massive violet and white patches along the 400 series highways on a summer drive.

Everything's Common but the Comb Tooth

Comb Tooth ©Brian Popelier

In the Fall months this white fungus can be found on dead hardwoods and conifers throughout the length of the Bruce Trail.

Common Blue Violet ©Brian Popelier

As the name implies this little blue violet can be found in many places from interior forests to your own backyard.

Common Mullien ©Brian Popelier

These plants are not native to Canada and can often be seen in disturbed areas or roadsides. They can grow up to 2 metres tall and their foliage is extremely fuzzy giving it a whitish appearence.

Common Ringlet ©Brian Popelier

The many open areas along the Trail including meadows and forest edges are home to this little butterfly. They lay their eggs on a variety of grasses which is what this little fella is resting on.

Common Chickweed ©Brian Popelier

Most Chickweeds are introduced species and this one is no exception. This plant grows in fields and lawns and often goes unnoticed as it is a low growing, unshowy flower. For some reason chickens love to eat it so its other common name is Chickenwort.

Collared Earthstar, Eastern Black Swallowtail, Wild Columbine, Dutchmans Breeches & Virgins Bower

Collared Earthstar ©Brian Popelier

Many species of mushrooms can be found all along the Trail and they come in all shapes and sizes. This one is aptly named and is often nestled in the leaf litter of hardwood forests. Dont try and eat it as it is inedible.

Eastern Black Swallowtail ©Brian Popelier

This is a common butterfly in Ontario that can be found feeding in meadows on thistles, coneflowers, clovers and milkweeds but they lay their eggs on Wild Carrot.

Wild Columbine ©Brian Popelier

Aquillegia canadensis loves to grow on the rocky slopes of the escarpment. The flowers are attractive and colourful and attract bumblebees and hummingbirds to pollinate them.

Dutchmans Breeches ©Brian Popelier

The white flowers of this plant actually look like upside down pants hence the common name. Forest floors and wooded slopes along the Bruce Trail are the preferred habitat of this uniquely flowered plant.

Virgins Bower ©Brian Popelier

This is a vine in the Buttercup family which produces a multitude of white flowers in late summer. The plant is toxic and was used by native americans to induce strange dreams.

Carolina Spring Beauty

Carolina Spring Beauty ©Brian Popelier

Claytonia carolina is a sure sign Spring has sprung as it can be found throughout mature deciduous forests that the Bruce Trail travels. It is very similar to another Spring ephemeral, Virginia Spring Beauty, but it has wider leaves.

Carex Pseudocyperus

Carex Pseudocyperus ©Brian Popelier

A wetland sedge found in the many marshes and swamps along the Trail.

Canada Violet

Canada Violet ©Brian Popelier

The distinctive purple shading on the backside of the flower lets you know you have found Viola canadensis (you can see this in the fuzzy flower in the background). This violet loves the high quality woodlands of the Niagara Escarpment and is found on Bruce Trail properties from Niagara to Tobermory.

Butter & Eggs Toadflax

Butter & Eggs ©Brian Popelier

This non native flower might sound delicious but I wouldnt try to eat it as the plant contains a chemical that is slightly toxic to cattle. Linaria vulgarus loves disturbed areas and can often be seen growing along roadsides.