Torrance Barrens Botany

I made the trip to the Gravenhurst area on Saturday for a botany hike at the Torrance Barrens Dark-Sky Preserve. The Field Botanists of Ontario trip, lead by Tristan Knight and Tyler Miller offered a chance to explore a loop trail which took the group through a series of rock barren ridges and wetland areas.

Some of the wet pockets within the barrens contained interesting assemblages of sedges including Broom Sedge (Carex scoparia).

One of the panic grasses that occurs sporadically in the drier areas, Dichanthelium implicatum.

It was noted that we were near the southern limit of Three-toothed Cinquefoil (Sibbaldiopsis tridentata), a plant which thrives in the cracks of the bedrock.

Bristly Blackberry (Rubus setosus) can be found growing among Canada Bluejoint, Virginia Chain Fern and the ericaceous shrubs atop the peat mats which border Highland Pond.

Bush-honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera) in bloom.  One trip participant lamented planting this clonal-spreading shrub in her garden.  At one prairie site I help manage, Bush-honeysuckle flourished after a much-needed prescribed burn and now provides competition to a population of rarities including Smooth False Foxglove (Aureolaria flava).

The blue-purple flower of Pickerel-weed along the edge of the open water.

Early Goldenrod (Solidago juncea) among an assortment of Ticklegrass (Agrostis scabra), Hairgrass (Avenella flexulosa) - until recently belonging to the genus Deschampsia, and Panic grasses.

A few areas of Swamp Candles (Lysimachia terrestris) lit up the scenery.

Tonnes of White Beakrush (Rhynchospora alba).

The carnivirous sundews are always cool to examine up close.  These are Spatulate-leaved Sundew (Drosera intermedia).  There are 3 other species of sundew found in Ontario.

Snake in the grass?  Rattlesnake Grass (Glyceria canadensis).  There are Massasauga and Hog-nosed Snake in the area but our herping for the day was limited to a couple of Five-lined Skink.

The biennial Pink Corydalis (Capnoides semprevirens).

Some of the Bristly Sarsaparilla (Aralia hispida) were approaching 1.5m!

We were right on time for peak bloom of the Racemed-Milkwort (Polygala polygama).

I believe the group agreed upon Nodding Ladies' Tresses (Spiranthes cernua) versus Hooded (S. romanzoffiana) based upon an inspection of the sepal and colouration on the flower lip.  We likely have had both present as the second photo would suggest a different (albeit not-quite-blooming) species.  

Accumulating Sedge (Carex cumulata), of the dreaded ovales group.  This one was only easy to spot having been introduced to this species a few weeks back on Beausoleil Island.

Glades of Virginia Chain Fern (Woodwardia virginica) can be found throughout the peat mats.  

Stunted Sedge (Carex magellanica) is always a nice find in boggy habitats.

Nearby a tuft of Prickly Sedge (Carex echinata) was pointed out.

I was excited to see White-fringed Orchid (Platanthera blephariglottis).  What a beaut!  

Another orchid, and one that always grabs the attention of somebody hiking by, Grass Pink (Calopogon tuberosus).

An Aphrodite Fritillary greeted us upon returning to the parking lot.  "Guys you gotta try this rubber, sooo good!"

I think one of the coolest things from the trip would have been the pair of Common Nighthawk which our group startled as we rambled along checking out the veg.  A couple of quick pictures at a distance and we left this territorial bird be.

Overall an awesome trip!