Precious & Pretty

Extreme and unusual habitats make for strange and remarkable plant life in Bruce County. Escarpment cliffs, alvars, dolostone bedrock shores, marl fens and sand dunes are just some of the environments that challenge plants and promote diversity. Not only does the county boast a kaleidoscope of nearly 1500 plant species, it has one of the highest concentrations of wild, native orchids on the continent with 42 species. Fern diversity is also impressive with approximately 50 species. On top of this are wildflowers galore, flourishing in late-May and early-June, including Lakeside Daisy and Dwarf Lake Iris, which are endemic to the Great Lakes region. To assist in the search and identification of orchids and ferns, two locally produced guidebooks are readily available.

Bruce Peninsula Orchid Festival

Be amongst keeners – join orchid tours, guided walks and orchid photography workshops at the annual Bruce Peninsula Orchid Festival. Held annually around the last weekend of May, the festival is based out the Parks Canada Visitor Centre in Tobermory.

 Wonderland

•    Westside Fens of Oliphant Fen, Red Bay and Petrel Point – On the shore of Lake Huron near the base of the Bruce Peninsula, low sandy areas flooded for most of the year are host to several fens. These grassy wetlands feature carnivorous plants and orchids. In late-June look for Showy Lady’s Slipper orchids; their pink and white booty-shape flowers stand out above the crowd of sedges and grasses. Oliphant Fen welcomes visitors with a boardwalk and interpretive signs.

•    Dorcas Bay (Singing Sands) – The variety of habitats is what makes Dorcas Bay a hot spot for plants and led to the site’s protection in 1962. Among a profusion of wildflowers are orchids including Ram's Head Lady Slipper. In late-June the fen is alive with Rose Pogonias interspersed with the insect-eating Linear-leaved Sundews and Pitcher Plants.

•    Lake Huron Alvars – Natural pavements of limestone, alvars are at their best when the Lakeside Daisies are in bloom in early-June. Lakeside Daisy is one of the rarest flowers in Ontario, though it is common on certain alvars in the Tobermory area. The big cracks that run through alvars also hold many treasures including the cute Maidenhair Spleenwort. Globally rare habitat, alvars are extremely sensitive; please stay on trails. One excellent site lies at the end of Singing Sands Trail in Bruce Peninsula National Park.

•    Escarpment Cliffs – On the cliffs of the Niagara Escarpment, running up the east coast of the Bruce Peninsula, gnarled eastern white cedars, often hanging upside down, are amongst the oldest trees in North America – some over 1000 years old. Good places to see them are at the Lion's Head Nature Reserve or in Bruce Peninsula National Park. Look too for ferns like the Smooth Cliffbrake growing in crevices at the base of the cliffs.

•    Flowerpot Island – Five kilometers offshore of Tobermory in Fathom Five National Marine Park, Flowerpot Island is best known among floral enthusiasts for its small population of Round-leaved Orchids. Many other orchid species including Large Round Leaved Orchid and Heart Leaved Twayblade can be found here. Flowerpot is also renowned for its ferns, notably the Wall Rue, Ostrich and Northern Holly.

Word of Caution

Stay on trails and don’t tramp around plants.

View orchids with binoculars or photograph with long lenses.

Never pick or dig up wildflowers.