Botanical Treasures in McClelland

In support of the campaign to halt the mining project within the McClelland Lake watershed, we have curated a collection of rare plant species, presented through a series of #FloraFriday posts by the Alberta Native Plant Council, in a heightened effort to create awareness among the communities across Alberta and beyond regarding the ecological significance of the McClelland Lake watershed. Through this we attempt to explain the irreplaceable role played by the delicate eco systems that are now under risk of mining disturbance.

Dragon's mouth is one of over 20 provincially rare plant species. It is an S1 species in Alberta, indicating there are fewer than 5 known occurrences in the province. It flowers in the summer, producing one bright pink flower with a whitish pink labellum marked with magenta spots and a yellow center. After flowering, it produces a solitary grass-like leaf. It is typically found in acidic, boggy conditions, especially favoring a bed of sphagnum mosses.

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Another S1 provincially rare plant species is large white ground-cherry, with fewer than 5 known occurrences in the province.

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Pygmy water-lily, is another provincially rare plant ranked S2 in Alberta, indicating there are 20 or fewer known occurrences in the province.

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Another provincially rare plant species is white water-lily. This species is ranked S2 in Alberta, indicating there are 20 or fewer known occurrences in the province.

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Another rare plant ranked as an S2 species is the truly beautiful Loesel's twayblade. There are less than 20 known occurrences within the province of Alberta.

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Few seeded sedge is a rare sedge species, ranked as an S3 species, meaning there are fewer than 100 known occurrences in the region, or it is otherwise vulnerable due to other factors.

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Featured above is a truly breathtaking rare orchid species, the stemless lady's slipper. This is also an S3 species, meaning there are fewer than 100 known occurrences within the province of Alberta, or it is otherwise vulnerable due to other factors.

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Last but not least, featured above are 6 of the over 14 rare bryophyte species. Many of these species are currently unranked (SU) in Alberta due to limited information about their distribution and extent.

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Unfortunately, the rarity of the plants featured here, along with various other provincially rare plants, fungi, and invertebrates are not sufficient to be prioritized over mining projects.

To read further about the McClelland Lake Wetland Complex, please visit Nature Alberta’s conservation blog Don’t Mine McClelland.