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.

Bunchberry

Bunchberry ©Brian Popelier

Dogwoods are a genus of plant that are so plentiful along the Trail that they are often a bane of trail maintenance as the shrubs form a tangle of stems. This little fella is in the same genus  but is the only member which is a perennial herb and not a shrub.Cornus canadensis is normally associated with the BTCs more northern properties but I found a nice patch on a property just west of Georgetown, Ontario.

Bog Buckbean

Bog Buckbean ©Brian Popelier

Menyanthes trifoliata lets you know you have found an uncommon wetland habitat of a  Fen or Bog.

Bluet

Bluet ©Brian Popelier

This delicate damselfly is a common visitor in wet areas. There are several species that all look similar and are difficult to identify down to separate species.

Blue Phlox

Blue Phlox ©Brian Popelier

Rich open woodlands are where you will find this Phlox species which is protected on BTC properties as it is susceptible to habitat disturbance.

Bloodroot

 

Bloodroot ©Brian Popelier

This plant is in the Poppy family and gets its name from the orange red sap that it exudes when the stem is broken. It blooms in the early Spring with showy white flowers and once the blooms end the unique large leaves persist into Summer.

Birdsfoot Trefoil

Birdsfoot Trefoil ©Brian Popelier

Lotus corniculatus is a non native wildflower that populates roadsides and fields. It is sometimes used as a haycrop with other plants and it can be found in almost every meadow along the Trail.

Birdseye Speedwell

Birdseye Speedwell ©Brian Popelier

This is one of the larger Veronica species and it can be found in open areas with partial or full exposure to the sun.

Belted Whiteface

Belted Whiteface - ©Brian Popelier

Marshy areas, fens and bogs are where you will find this attractive dragonfly which perches on vegetation and watches for passing insects to launch itself at and catch for dinner. And yes it does have a white coloured face.

Banded Hairstreak

Banded Hairstreak - ©Brian Popelier

Common Milkweed is the preferred nectar source for this little butterfly and it is a regular visitor to the meadows and fields on the Trail. It lays its eggs on Oaks, Hickories and Walnut trees.