Plants – Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists

Spring Ephemerals Are Here to Enjoy!

Spring has arrived early this year, and the ephemerals are out (showing off)!

So far, Denis has seen Hepaticas, Carolina Spring Beauty, and Dutchman’s Breeches in bloom. Yellow Trout Lilies, Trilliums, and others are sprouting all over and will soon be blooming!

Remember, it’s a short season for the ephemerals, so this is the time to get out and enjoy the show. Don’t forget to bring your cell phone or camera to capture their beauty. The photos can be posted to MVFN’s Biodiversity in Lanark project on iNaturalist either in the field from your cell phone or once you get home with either your cell phone or camera.

Remember you don’t have to be an expert. iNaturalist will make suggestions. If you need help getting started check out the instructions on our website. Or, complete this form if you are interested in an zoom tutorial.

Local wild rice beds? Citizen scientists help requested

Plenty Canada, a non-profit Indigenous-based charity in Lanark County are starting a World Wildlife Federation funded field project to study wild rice in the surrounding area. The organizers have heard there could be beds of wild rice in Clayton Lake and contacted MVFN asking for local information on these, or possible locations.

Spring paddle, Clayton Lake, 2015. photo Howard Robinson

If you are aware of any wild rice beds in any Lanark County lakes please get in touch with Shannon Farmer directly at or (705)740-5874.

Local Plant Species

A complete list of all the plants which might be found in our local Lanark county area is of course an extensive one. Unlike, for example, the list of snakes, which contains only nine.

The are a number of sources with lists of many plants in unique rare habitats within the region.

local expert and botanist David White has created a website Plants of Lanark County at http://www.lanarkflora.com/.
MVFN BioBlitz on the Bell Bushlot in Mississippi Mills. See the the report.
common Spring Ephemerals (Spring Ephemerals, Lanark County dg0.2 )compiled from iNaturalist.