Wild Flowers

I love walking the trails at Buffalo Lake at this time of the year and observing the many tiny different types of wild flowers that shyly peer out of the long grasses.  They are easy to miss unless you take the time to look for them.

Unknown

I'm not sure what theses tiny white flowers are. The closest looking ones in the Alberta Wayside Wildflower been are the Canada anemone, but I am certain these are too tiny. They are similar to wild strawberries, and grow very low to the ground...

Solomon Seal

Solomon's Seal (Similacina stella) has tiny 6 pointed white star flowers.  Medicinally the roots are used in teas to reduce coughs. They may also be applied to burns as poultices. It gets berries which taste sweet but can cause vomiting. Solomon's Seal is growing all along our path to the lake.

Solomon's Seal

Wild Strawberry flower

You can make tea from the leaves of the wild strawberry plant, which is rich in vitamin C and minerals. The strawberry fruit is small but packs a lot of flavor.

Field Mouse ear Chickweed

This little one, the Field Mouse Ear Chickweed (latin name: Cerastium Arvenses) is distinguished by its 5 double-lobed white petals.  "Alberta Wayside Wildflowers" book says that it is edible. It is native across Canada and the world.

Early Blue violets

Early Blue Violets can be various colors from blue to violet. Violets are a low wildflower, only 2 - 8 cm tall. They are among the most fragrant wildflowers but a substance called ionine dulls the smell for you after a few minutes. The fragrance will reappear a few minutes later, only to disappear again, off and on like a light switch. 

Bird Vetch

These Bird Vetches (vicia cracca) were quite short, but the Alberta Wayside Wildflower Book says that they can grow up to 1 meter tall. They are rich in nectar and both birds and butterflies love them. They can be blue to lavender in color and bloom from June to August.

Prickly wild rose

Wild Alberta Rose also known as the prickly rose is the floral emblem of Alberta. The petals are edible, although I personally have not tried them. :) 

 The wild rose flowers are popping out all along our lake trail and they look so delicate and beautiful.

Potentilla cinquefoil

This cinquefoil is growing on the beach along the lake shore

I planted a perennial ciquefoil in one  of my flower beds last summer, but although it did grow, it failed to bloom. I am hoping that it will bloom this summer. I think the flowers on it are supposed to be red, though...

Last but not least known is the common dandelion, (Taraxacum officinale).  Most of us are very familiar with this 'wild flower'. Since ancient times it has been planted for food an medicine. The young leaves are rich in vitamins and minerals and are good in salads and as cooked greens. I guess we should stop trying to eradicate them and start harvesting their leaves instead! :)

Common Dandelion

Also saw some common three-flowered avens yesterday and some tiny little blue eyed grass on top of Picnic Hill. Will have to take my camera up there and get a photo.