Plants of Lanark County
This data was collected by biologist and life science consultant David J. White beginning in 1975.
The current edition contains 1309 taxa.
David received some funding to work on the checklist in 1998 from the Ministry of Natural Resources. A number of the environmental impact studies and natural area inventories David conducted during his career were in Lanark County so the fieldwork for those studies contributed to the list. Otherwise, the project was a hobby of exploring the county when time permitted.
David acknowledges the help and support of the many friends and colleagues who made many significant contributions to the project.
This abridged version of David's final edition of the report omits the data table displayed below. It includes an overview of significant flora areas in the county and a comprehensive bibliography.
Rare plant photos
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LEGEND
Common
Seen often in its preferred habitat which itself is common.
Uncommon
Not seen often or only in small numbers in its preferred habitat which itself may not be common. Generally more than 12 records known. Some species formerly considered sparse have been found in enough new locations to be moved into the uncommon category. Such species with less than 20 records will have the number of records in parentheses after “Uncommon” to highlight the fact that although now considered uncommon, they are still very infrequently encountered.
Sparse
Sporadic in its distribution and often restricted to a specialized habitat. Between six and 12 records are known.
Rare
Very sporadic in its distribution; often restricted to a very specialized and limited habitat or to a very small portion of the County. Five records or less are known.
#S3
Denotes a native species that is regarded as provincially significant (rare in Ontario) by the Natural Heritage Information Centre (NHIC, 2010). The numbers or letter that follow the letter “S”, refer to the provincial rank or status of the plant within Ontario as a whole. The provincial ranks are as follows: SH=Possibly Extirpated (Historical)—previously known from the province but not recorded in the last 20 years or more; S1=Critically Imperiled (usually 5 or fewer occurrences known); S2=Imperiled (usually 5 to 20 occurrences known); S3=Vulnerable (usually 20 to 80 occurrences known). A question mark (?) following a rank indicates some degree of uncertainty.