Lake Erie North Shore Inventory – 2011 (Part 3)

Toward the end of September the group visited Rock Point Provincial Park. Albert had obtained permission from Ontario Parks to conduct an inventory here.

The beach[pavement], clay bluffs and sand dunes here contained a diverse variety of plants.

Three of the plants found here Small Skullcap (Scutellaria parvula), Sweetflag (Acorus americanus) and Water Hemp (Amaranthus tubertulatus) are relatively rare.

Other plants of note were Bur Cucumber(Sicyos angulatus), Blue Stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) and Starry False Solomon's Seal (Smilacina stellata).

One shrub of particular interest was found on the beach what we feel is Pin Cherry (Prunus pensylvanica) however confirmation from other experts will be required. Silky Dogwood appeared to be the dominant Dogwood along the shoreline while there were examples of Red Osier Dogwood.

Bulrush(Bolboschoenus fluviatilis), Witch Grass (Panicum capillare) and Baltic Rush( Juncus balticus) were among the graminoids of note.

The last Tuesday in September saw the group at Reeb's Bay once again but moving toward the east this time.

A couple of interesting aquatic plants were found along the water edge. One was Eel Grass sp. (Vallisneria sp.), and the other Coontail(Ceratophyllum dmersum). Other grasses noted were three different Panic grasses namely Fall Panic Grass, Witch Grass and the ever present Switch Grass.

Among the vascular plants two types of Skullcap were observed–Mad Dog Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), and Marsh Skullcap(Scutellaria galericulata). Toward the east end of the bay a plant rare in the region was found, Long-spined Sandbur(Cenchrus longispinus).

On one of the dunes we found Lopseed(Phyrma leptostachya), Wild Cucumber and Virginia Waterleaf.

Another point of interest was specimens of Canada (S. canadensis) and Tall (S. altissima) Goldenrod growing within inches [80mm] of each other.

As usual and as hoped three of the remnant plants populated this beach.

Later this same week Small Skullcap (Scutellaria parvula) was found in the Sugarloaf Point area. Apparently this is the first sighting of this rare plant on the Lake Erie coast in the Niagara Region for many years.

During the first week in October two locations were visited. The initial one was to Moulton bay west of Long Beach C.A. The cobble beach did not have many plants, a few Asters, some Rushes and spike rushes in some cracks.

On the sand beach to the east of the point on the C.A property three remnant plants were found namely Amer. Beach Grass, Seaside Spurge and Sea Rocket while on a sand dune inland from the point three Hop Trees and sapling were observed. This is the furthest west a Hop Tree has been observed in the Niagara Region.

Later this same week we did a tour of the swamp areas behind the dunes and the dunes themselves at the west end of Rock Point Provincial Park.

These areas produced interesting graminoids such as Torrey's Rush(Juncus torreyii) and large patch of Wheat Sedge (Carex atherodes) a relatively rare sedge. An example of Spike Rush (Eleocharis sp.) was also seen hopefully it can be confirmed as E. obtusa plus another sedge whose identity has to be confirmed.

A water plant of particular interest was Watermeal ( Wolffia columbiana), the visible part of this plant is less than an eighth of an inch long and much less in width.

Other vascular plants of note were Nodding Ladies' Tresses (Spiranthes cernua), Small Beggarticks (Bidens discoidea), Arrow-leaved Tearthumb (Persicaria sagittata) and Rough-stemmed Goldenrod (S. rugosa).

There was also a wide variety of trees and shrubs among them were Winterberry (Ilex verticillata), Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) and Red Maple. In addition we also found a Bebb's Willow (Salix bebbiana) or was it Salix atrocinera an invasive from Europe that was about 250 mm in diameter at the base.

During the following week Mohawk Point was visited. The beach here was mainly small cobble with some sand but behind the beach there were clay bluffs. The only remnant plant seen was Seaside Spurge while there were some Trailing Wild Bean and Beach Clotbur. The lack of graminoids was evident here.

On and above the bluffs there were many Asters such as Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum), Heart-leaved Aster (S. cordifolium), New England Aster (S. novae-angliae) and Hairy (Frost) Aster. Goldenrods were also plentiful.

Among the trees and shrubs on the bluffs were Red Elm (Ulmus rubra), two Hickories, Shagbark (Carya ovata) and Bitternut (C. cordiformis) plus American Basswood (Tilia americana) and Eastern Cottonwood. A couple of raspberries were found namely Wild Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and Black Raspberry (R. occidentalis).

Later that same week a short visit was made to Jams N. Allan Prov. Park located a few kilometres west of the mouth of the Grand River.

Interestingly Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans) was observed along with Low Calamint.

A subsequent visit was made to James N. Allan Provincial Park the following week where we found American Beach Grass, Switch Grass, Big and Little Bluestem and Baltic Rush.

Among the vascular plants observed were Seaside Spurge, Trailing Wild Bean and Frost [Hairy] Aster (Symphyotricum pilosum var. pilosum).

Surprisingly in the tree and shrub category we found a Downy Hawthorn (Crataegus mollis) on the beach. Others were Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago), American Basswood (Tillia americana) along with Sandbar Willow and Heart-leaved Willow (S. eriocephela).

The beach in this park is relatively undisturbed while behind the rather low bluffs are swamps that appear to have many interesting water plants and graminoids. Since we are now late in October these areas will be investigated in another year.

The penultimate visitation for this year was to the high bluffs along Mohawk Bay this being the high point of land between the Niagara Peninsula watershed and the Grand River watershed.

At an eroded bowl along the bluff there were some interesting plants including a plethora of Variegated Scouring Rush (Equisetum variegatum). Vascular plants in abundance were Grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia glauca) and Fringed Gentian (Gentiana crinata). Another plant of note was Small Flowered Gerardia (Agalinis paupercula).

Our last visitation for the year was once again to Jame N. Allan Provincial Park.

The beach area was checked once more find little that was not observed previously however a specimen of Wood Germander (Teucrium canadense) was found not in flower but in seed.

The rocky shore toward Low Point was investigated where much of interest was seen. There was Limestone Calamint in abundance plus many shrubs, trees and gramanoids growing in the fissures. Note this area is what may be termed a Tombolo [see page #7]

The Graminoids included Baltic Rush, Dudley's Rush and Poverty Oat Grass ( Danthonia spicata).

A rather old Eastern White Cedar( Thuja occidentalis) was observed plus American Elm(Ulmus americana), Peach-leaved Willow( Salix amygdaloides) and Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago).

Also noted in the rocky area was what we feel was Rough Daisy Fleabane(Erigeron strigosus).

Rick Young