Marsh Elder and other plants of Kingsport Marsh – Sept. 7

Posted on August 1, 2025 by Bob Kennedy

Allison MacNeil is being supported by the NSWFS in her research of the Marsh Elder – Iva frutescens. She has offered to host a field trip to see this rare plant in its native habitat at Kingsport Marsh on Sunday Sept. 7. We expect to find many other plants of interest in the marsh as well. Details to follow.

Posted in events | Leave a comment

Trip to see Atlantic Coastal Plains Flora Aug. 22-25

Posted on August 1, 2025 by Bob Kennedy

 

Rose Coreopsis and Plymouth Gentian from Wilson’s Lake. Photos Bob Kennedy

The trip to view the unique Atlantic Coastal Plains Flora in SW Nova Scotia is scheduled from Friday Aug. 22 to Monday Aug 25. We will meet for dinner in Yarmouth on Friday. On Saturday, events include a visit to a coastal marsh near Pleasant Lake, the various lakeshore flora of Wilson’s Lake and Sloane Lake. On Sunday we will visit the shore of Gilfillan Lake then onto Swain’s Bog near Barrington to see the Thread-leaved Sundew. We will stay in Liverpool Sunday night than head up to Mudflat Lake to see Sweet Pepperbush then on to Keji to hike a new trail.

If you are interested in some or all of this trip and you have not yet registered, please email bob@grimsey.ca

Posted in events | Leave a comment

Trip from Tusket to see Lyonia ligustrina (Maleberry) in bloom – July 19

Posted on July 1, 2025 by Bob Kennedy

Photo: Jennifer Clifford – iNaturalist

Lyonia ligustrina is commonly known as Maleberry or, on iNaturalist as He-Huckleberry. It is related to blueberries and huckleberries, but is extremely rare in Canada. In fact there is only one known site which is about 40 minutes outside Yarmouth. Several members have been to see the plant, but not when it has been in bloom – so this is a field trip to the known site to try to find it in bloom.

It is a bit tricky to find the road entrance to the Maleberry, so Peter and Charles have suggested we all meet at the Petro-Can in Tusket at 10:00AM on Saturday July 19 and head off together from there. Exit Highway 103 at exit 33 and head south on highway 308 for a short distance to the Petro-Can on the left.

It is suggested that people travelling a distance stay overnight at the Comfort Inn in Yarmouth on July 18 (or another place of your choosing). For those staying overnight in Yarmouth on Friday or living nearby, we will organize a dinner together.

If you have not already registered, please contact us at novascotiawildflora@gmail.com. Let us know if you will be staying over on Friday and if you will be joining us for dinner.

 

 

Posted in walks | Leave a comment

West Head Trip moved to Sunday June 29

Posted on June 26, 2025 by Bob Kennedy

Due to the light rain forecast throughout the day on Saturday and the better conditions on Sunday, Jeremy has agreed to move the hike to West Head to Sunday June 29. We will meet at the trail-head at the end of West Head Rd, running south from Lockport at 10:30. Car pooling will be from the Museum of Natural History and the Keshen Goodman Public Library (Clayton Park), leaving at 8:00AM. If you are planning to carpool, but have not let us know, please do so. Jeremy’s car, leaving from the museum, is now full.

Peter Steiner will also be on the hike. He has a new job at Coastal Action, focused on helping manage the vegetation surveys at the Pemsɨk site (also known as Jones Harbour). They’re working on behalf of some Indigenous groups, including Melissa Labrador. He is inviting whoever is interested for a saltmarsh wander at  nearby Pemsɨk  after the West Head hike.

If at any time you need to contact me, my cell is 902 719-8456 – Bob Kennedy

 

Posted in walks | Leave a comment

Orchids in bloom

Posted on June 24, 2025 by Bob Kennedy

Showy Lady’s Slipper – Cypripedium reginae                                 Tuberous Grasspink – Calopogon tuberosus

Some of our showiest orchids can now be seen in bloom across the province. According to Charlie, “Showy lady slippers in bloom now at Smiley’s Park. ( access only from hwy 14; bridges still out).
Arethusa ( dragons mouth orchid.) None at Herring Cove bog past 2 years. Calopogon now in Bloom at same location.
Arethusa in full bloom at Chebucto Reserve; large patches scattered around the barrens. (no calopogons seen there yet).”

There’s only a few closely guarded sites for the Lady’s Slipper, but the others can be seen in many of the bogs across the province.

Dragon’s Mouth – Arethusa bulbosa                                                                   Rose Pogonia – Pogonia ophioglossoides
Posted in What's in Bloom | Leave a comment

Hike to See the Barrens Vegetation of West Head June 28 – 10:30AM

Posted on June 11, 2025 by Bob Kennedy

Photo François Rochette

Jeremy Lundholm will be leading a nature hike to West Head on Saturday June 28. We will meet at the parking lot at the end of Western Head road at 10:30AM. Location on Google Maps is 43.662407, -65.128822.

There will be the opportunity to car pool from the Museum of Natural History parking lot, leaving at 8:00AM. Other people are also informally arranging rides. If you are able to offer a lift or need a lift, please let us know.

We will explore the barrens and shoreline plant communities at West Head, south of Lockeport, newly acquired by the Nature Conservancy. There are several types of shrubland barrens vegetation, as well as some dwarf heath (black crowberry), coastal meadow and cobble shoreline communities. We will conduct an inventory and see if we can add some species to the plant list. We are likely to see orchids in flower (no guarantees!), including Grass Pink, Rose Pogonia, Club Spur Orchid, Small Purple Fringed Orchid and Ragged Fringed Orchid. One of our members, Joanne Cormier, has mentioned that we shouldn’t be surprised to see Storm Petrel wing tips. Owls hang out there for a petrel party, when the Leach’s Storm Petrels are coming off the sea en route to Bon Portage.

It’s approximately a 1 km hike to the tip of the headland. Trail conditions are somewhat rugged and could be wet. Bring lunch and water, and be prepared for ticks!

Please contact us at novascotiawildflora@gmail.com if you plan to attend.

If anything comes up on the day, you can reach Bob on his cell at 902 719-8456

 

NCC West Head Plant List

Posted in walks | Leave a comment

Acadia University 2025 Native Plant Sale Sat. June 7th 9am – 12pm

Posted on May 21, 2025 by Bob Kennedy

Acadia’s annual Native Plant Sale will take place on the Formal Lawn of the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens at Acadia University in Wolfville. It’s the large lawn just to the South of the Walled Garden (enter main gates and turn left!).

This is one of the best sources of hard to find native plants in Nova Scotia. It is very popular, so get there early!

Posted in events | Leave a comment

Outdoor Member’s Meeting Monday May 26, 6:00pm – Kidston Lake

Posted on May 18, 2025 by Bob Kennedy

The next member’s meeting will include a hike at Kidston lake, near Spryfield. Please meet at 6:00pm so we get the maximum amount of daylight. The difficulty level should be easy.

From Herring Cove Road – take the Old Sambro road to the intersection; go straight onto Rockingstone road; go past Leiblin Drive on the right to an intersection; go straight still on Rockingstone (waterway on the right and large school on the left), continue to end. Rockingstone has a small parking area. Turn right onto Feldspar, go 4-5 carlengths and turn left onto Fieldstone. Follow Fieldstone to the end at a small parking area where you will see a gate. The Park is gated but the gates were still open on May 15 at 8:30 pm. If closed, park in the parking area.  If open, go through the gate and follow road to end at a small parking lot near the lake. We will meet at the parking lot inside the Park.

If the gate is closed Park outside the gate and walk into the Park and meet at the end of the road (in the parking area).

Posted in events, walks | Leave a comment

Help with NSWFS Booth at Nature Nova Scotia AGM

Posted on May 15, 2025 by Bob Kennedy

 

Nature Nova Scotia has its annual general meeting On May 23-25 in Debert. They have offered the Nova Scotia Wild Flora Society a booth to reach out to other people attending the event. Charlie Cron is available to set it up, but would like some assistance from any NSWFS members who might also be there. If you are planning to attend the AGM and are willing to spend a bit of time to help man the booth (it would not conflict with any other ongoing events), please contact novascotiawildflora@gmail.com

Posted in events | Leave a comment

Trips to Yarmouth to see blooming Lyonia ligustrina – July 18-19 and Coreopsis rosea moved to Aug 15-17

Posted on May 13, 2025 by Bob Kennedy

Lyonia ligustrina   Photo: Jennifer Clifford – iNaturalist

Coreopsis rosea    Photo: Bob Kennedy

Lyonia ligustrina is commonly known as Maleberry or, on iNaturalist as He-Huckleberry. It is related to blueberries and huckleberries, but is extremely rare in Canada. In fact there is only one know site which is about 40 minutes outside Yarmouth. Several members have been to see the plant, but not when it has been in bloom – so this is a field trip to the known site to try to find it in bloom. We will start the hike at 10:00am on Saturday July 19 at a location to be announced near the site. It is suggested that people travelling a distance stay overnight at the Comfort Inn in Yarmouth on July 18 (or another place of your choosing).

A second trip is also planned in August to Wilson’s Lake and other nearby sites to view some of the Coastal Plains Flora unique to southwest Nova Scotia. Many of these should be in full bloom – including the very rare Rose Coreopsis. Because of requests to do it on a weekend, it has been moved to Aug 15-17. If you wish to participate in either trip, please contact us at novascotiawildflora@gmail.com for more details

Posted in walks | Leave a comment