Blue-flag
(Iris virginica)

Description: This native member of the Iris family grows at the edges of marshes and ponds, and in wet meadows. The striking flowers attract insects seeking nectar, even large ones such as bumblebees. By June the Blue Flag is flowering along the edges of marshes and in wet meadows in Ontario. The striking flowers attract insects seeking nectar, even large ones such as bumblebees, which can land on the wide, drooping sepals.

Fruit is a capsule containing seeds which are light brown. Strap-like smooth leaves typical of Iris.

Habitat: Wet areas, particularly wet meadows, marshes, along the edges of streams and ponds.

Height: 60 cm

Flowering: June

New England Aster
(Aster novae-angliae)

Description: Flowerhead is a composite of deep purple "ray" flowers and yellow "disk" flowers in the centre. Leaves are narrow and long, and alternate along the stem (not opposite one another). The leaf joins the stem at the base and there is no petiole.

Habitat: Open ground, meadows, but prefers moist areas.

Height: 1.5 m

Flowering: August - September

Spotted Joe-pye-weed
(Eupatorium maculatum)

Description: Perennial. Tall, erect plant with tough leaves that are rough to the touch. Stems are purple and can be spotted. Purple flowers in flat clusters.

Habitat: Moist sites, especially marshes, swamps, wet meadows.

Height: 1.75 m

Flowering: July - September

Purple Loosestrife
(Lythrum salicaria)

Description: Introduced as a garden ornamemtal, it escaped and invaded wetlands where it grew in dense clumps which excluded native plants. The introduction of four beetle predators has achieved remarkable control.

Habitat:

Height: 1 m

Flowering: July - August

Wild Lupine
(Lupinus perennis)

Description: Distinctive pale-blue flower spikes, composed of many pea-like flowers. Leaves are palm-like with 7 to 11 leaflets like fingers. Seedpods dry to black and split open in late summer. Lupins have been bred for a variety of colours and increased flower size and many varieties have escaped cultivation and persist in the wild.

Habitat: Open, sunny areas, particularly sandy soils.

Height: 1 m

Flowering: June - July

Ground Ivy
(Glechoma hederacea)

Description: Forms creeping mats on the ground (hence the alternative name "Creeping Charlie"). The leafs smell minty when crushed. The small, funnel-shaped flowers are blue to violet.

Habitat: Open, sunny areas such as old meadows, dry woodland, roadsides.

Height: 5 cm

Flowering: May - July