Wild Flora and Habitat in Nova Scotia
The Nova Scotia Wild Flora Society is dedicated to the appreciation and conservation of wild flora and habitat, especially in Nova Scotia. A non-profit organization and an affiliate of the North American Native Plant Society, the society welcomes all people who are interested in native flora. Members meet regularly on a social basis to host speakers, plan recreational field trips, and organize other events.
This web site serves to create awareness about the Nova Scotia Wild Flora Society, and to be a source of information for topics of interest to all wildflower enthusiasts.
Please read the President's Welcome.
Issues, Events, Workshops
Our New Candidate Wilderness Area by Land and Water, Feb. 17, 2010 At WRWEO's AGM, biologist David Patriquin and canoeist Dusan Sudek will provide a conceptual and pictoral tour of Five Bridge Lakes Wilderness Area, designated a Candidate Wilderness Area on Oct. 19th, 2009. Meeting is 7-9 pm at Tantallon Public Library. Read more
Field meeting in Massachussetts, June 20-24, 2010 We received an invitation to join this meeting. Field trips will include Mt. Greylock, the highest mountain in Massachusetts with its own unique sub-alpine boreal forest and rare plants, and Bartholomew's Cobble, National Natural Landmark, where "you'll find one of North America's greatest diversity of fern species". Details: PDF RTF
Avon Peninsula NSWFS endorsed the citation of the Avon Peninsula as the Lady Slipper Capital of the Maritimes, but a major challenge looms: Fundy Gypsum's plans to construct a strip mine in the forested "watershed commons" at the centre of the Peninsula. A decision is now due by Feb. 4, 2010. Read more
Recent Additions
- Fragaria virginiana ssp. virginiana (Virginia strawberry)
- Pyrola americana (American wintergreen)
- Medeola virginiana (Indian cucumber-root)
- Primula laurentiana (bird's-eye primula, cowslip)
- Pinus banksiana (jack pine)
Now and in the Future
By knowing our wildflowers we can better preserve them for ourselves and for the future.
Wildflowers are often abundant, but they are not indestructible - many of our loveliest ones are in danger of extinction by our carelessness. This need not happen if we observe the following rules of courtesy:
- Do not pick the wildflowers. Enjoy them and leave them for someone else to enjoy. They are perishable and have a very short "indoor" life; also, with many of them, roots as well as seeds are killed when the flowers are picked.
- Do not try to transplant them into your garden. Almost without exception, they do not tolerate root disturbance. Your chances of success in raising them domestically are far greater if you begin with seed. Even so, many of them need soil, temperature, and other conditions not available outside of their immediate environment.
- Be respectful of them in their natural environment. Do not injure them with fire, tramping, or other thoughtless acts.
The text above is an excerpt from a book published in 1914. Even then, naturalists were concerned for the conservation of the wild flora! Source: Berniece Anderson & Arthur H Holmgren. 1914. Mountain Plants of Northeastern Utah. Logan: Utah State University. A revised edition is available online.