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The Hidden Treasures of

Carolinian Canada

Credit Valley Horticultural Society

Nina Barabas, PhD

November 9, 2011

Outline

Overview of Carolinian Canada

Species at risk: why? & what can we do?

Carolinian woodland species

What is a Carolinian Ecosystem?

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Carolinian zone –a unique ecosystem

2,200 herbaceous species, including 64 ferns, 110 grasses, 130 sedges

At least 100 endemic 70 species of trees Over 125 species

declared at risk Over 400 other species

considered rare 2/3 of Ontario plants

species grow here

http://www.carolinian.org

GoldensealHydrastis canadensisButtercup/Ranunculacea

Shady, open deciduous woods, 75-80% shade; in Canada ONLY in S Ontario; Threatened species priority 1 (highest) for protection!

Goldenseal Alkaloids (hydrastine, berberine) from

the rhizome, collected in the fall Used by indigenous NA peoples as

antimicrobial for eye infections, skin diseases, ulcers, cancer

1800s-inflamation of mucous tissues; for digestive disorders, general tonic

Today- some anti-tumour & antibiotic properties (bacteria, protozoan, fungi)

Traveler’s diarrhoea, food poisoning, giardia, cholera. Component of hundreds of commercial formulations; in demand for chronic diseases, AIDS

Present in ~40 over the counter drugs

Goldenseal Perennial, 20-50 cm,

blooms April-May It takes 2-3 year to

mature Difficult to start from

seeds Propagation by rootlets is

more reliable than propagation by seed

Divide rhizomes when plant is dormant, in early spring or in fall

Mulch in summer to conserve moisture

Companions: American ginseng, Bloodroot, Wild ginger (Asarum canadense), Canada violet (Viola

canadense), Wild columbine (Aquilegia

canadensis)

American/Canadian GinsengPanax quinquefoliusAralia/Araliaceae

Shady, open deciduous woods, 75-80% shade Contributes $100 million to the Canadian economy

Threatened in Canada (1988 COSEWIC)

Ginseng World’s most used medicine; elixir of life,

source of happiness, symbol of strength and long life, the fountain of youth

5,000 years of use in Asian medicine Used by indigenous NA peoples as a tonic

to increase mental powers, for female infertility, cough, rheumatism

Today- Aphrodisiac, healing, increase energy, retards the aging process, for neurological disorders, speeds recovery

Male tonic, fatigue, poor sex drive, poor sexual performance, lack of endurance; for over 40 years only due to estrogenic effect

Stimulating, tonic effect; used as preventative medicine. Adaptogen

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American Ginseng

Long lived perennial, 20-70 cm, blooms in midsummer

Reproduction entirely by seeds Sow seeds anytime from

September until the ground freezes, to 1-3 cm depth

Cold stratification needed Some seeds will remain

dormant for 1-3 years! It takes 3-6 year to mature

Mulch in summer to conserve moisture

American ginseng contributes $100 million to the Canadian economy

$125 to $500 per dried pound for wild roots

Companions: Goldenseal, Bloodroot, Wild ginger, Canada violet, Wild columbine

Bowman’s Root Gillenia trifoliata (Porteranthus trifoliatus)Rose/Rosaceae

Open sandy woods and edges, partial to full shade, 60-120 cm, blooms mid- late summer

Bowman’s Root Dried and pulverized root is

expectorant, emetic and ‘blood purifier’

Used for digestive disorders, as laxative and emetic

BloodrootSanguinaria canadensisPoppy/Papaveraceae

Moist woody areas, March-May, p.15

Bloodroot

Antimicrobial properties; alkaloids like sanguinarine, which inhibits root rot fungi

Used in more than a dozen preparations in Canada: cough syrups, expectorants, tinctures, anti-plaque oral rinses

Black Cohosh (Black Snakeroot, Fairy Candle)Actea racemosa or Cimicifuga racemosaButtercup/Ranunculaceae

Woodland habitat, late spring-early summer, 1-2.6 m

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Black Cohosh Rhizome boiled in water used

by First Nations for female complaints, rheumatism

Early settles extracted it in whiskey for rheumatism

Europeans used it for cough, high blood pressure

Currently for depression, tinnitus, PMS, menopause, sedative and anti-inflammatory effects

Used in 29 Canadian products Remifemin – formulation used

in Europe and Australia Rich shady woods, April-June, p.1

White TrilliumTrillium grandiflorumBunchflower/Melanthiaceae

Red TrilliumTrillium erectumBunchflower/Melanthiaceae

Deciduous forests, April-May, p.72

Yellow Trout-lily/Adder’s TongueErythronium americanumLily/Liliaceae

Deciduous forests, April-May, p.2

White Trout-lilyErythronium albidumLily/Liliaceae

Mixed forests, moist meadows & valleys; March-May, p.52

Virginia Spring BeautyClaytonia virginicaPurslane/Portulacaceae

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Jack-in-the-PulpitArisaema triphyllumArum/Araceae

Moist areas in the woods, April-June, p.113

Rich woods and meadows, blooms in spring

Virginia BluebellsMertensia virginicaBorage/Boraginaceae

Open woods, blooms in spring

Rue AnemoneAnemonella thalictroidesButtercup/Ranunculaceae

Dry open woods; Lilac-purple flowers bloom in early spring

Bird’s foot VioletViola pedataViolet/Violaceae

Woods; Blue, pink or white flowers bloom in early spring

Round-lobed HepaticaHepatica americanaButtercup/Ranunculaceae

Rich woods and tickets, April-June

Large-flowered BellwortUvularia grandifloraButcher’s-broom/Ruscaceae

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Resources: Books

Index to Native Wildflowers A Day in the Spring, Summer

and Fall wildflower charts Plant Families accompanied by a

short description Index to Common English &

French, and Latin scientific names

The Riverwood Conservancy, 2008, www.theriverwoodconservancy.org

150 wildflowers from 50 families; more than half are native.

Resources: Books

Edited by Lorrain Johnson, The Carolinian Canada Coalition, 2007

100 Easy to Grow Native Plants for Canadian Gardens, 1999

Resources: Books

1931http://botanical.com

2000

1931

Resources: Books

National Research Council of Canada, 1999

By Joerg Gruenwald, Medical Economics, 2000

Resources: Websites Carolinian Coalition of Canada, www.carolinian.org

Royal Ontario Museum, www.rom.on.ca

Royal Botanical Gardens , www.rbg.ca

Toronto Botanical Garden, www.torontobotanicalgarden.ca

Natural Heritage Information Centre, http://nhic.mnr.gov.on.ca

University of Toronto Library, www.utoronto.ca

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, www.cosewic.gc.ca

The Database of Canadian Vascular Plants, http://data.canadensys.net/vascan/search

USDA Plant Database, http://plants.usda.gov

Species at Risk Public Registry, Gov. of Canada, http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca

Resources: Native Plants Nurseries Richters Herbs in Goodwood

Wildflower Farm in Coldwater

Sweet Grass Gardens, Six Nations of the Grand River

Lost Horizons in Acton Verbinnen's Nursery Ltd Grow Wild Van Den Nest Nursery Native Plant Source Connon Nurseries Aquaphyte Remediation Inc. Acorus Restorations North American Native Plant Society

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treas·ure/ˈtreZHәr/ Noun: A quantity of precious metals, gems, or other

valuable objects

Verb: Keep carefully (a valuable or valued item)

Synonyms: noun. jewel - hoard - gem – wealth verb. value - prize - cherish

Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Happy gardening!

Thank You!