A FIELD trip with Kallum McDonald to meet Kallum’s plant Kin
Two ERVCC members reached out to Kallum McDonald (MSc in Plant Biology) after learning about patches of prairie he has revealed in the central river valley. On June 18th, Kallum generously took us on a tour near Kennedale Ravine to show us his discoveries.
Patches of PRAIRIE time capsules
Nowhere have I seen so many native species in the city limits. Some plants like Needle and Thread grass I have only seen at Grasslands National Park! Knowing such richness is here in the central river valley makes me appreciate Edmonton’s roots more palpably. Kallum’s tour helped us appreciate how wonderfully special Edmonton’s river valley is as a biodiversity hotspot. The trip elevated my desire to ensure this wonderful valley is protected for our ancestors.
Kallum explained how he discovered these biodiversity hotspots by using satellite imagery and ground-truthing sites that appeared similar to known prairie.
Rock with lichen and a Scarlet Gaura in bloom. Likely Rosa arkansana to the right
Two types of native sage, Artemisia ludoviciana (on the left) and Artemisia frigida (on the right)
We followed the rainbow
And found incredible riches. We also made a new four legged friend.
Photos left to right, top to bottom: (to the best of my growing knowledge thanks to Kallum)
1) Our Co-investigator 2) Green Needle Grass 3) Scarlet Guara 4) Comandra
5) Rhombic-leaved Sunflower 6) Stiff Goldenrod 7) Oval-leaf Milkweed 8) Flexible Milkvetch
9) Wolf Willow (smells so good) 10) Western Snowberry leaves with Scarlet Guara blossoms 11) Artemisia frigida12) a new grass to me, plains Muhly! (stem and seed from last season).
A total of 6 native grass species have been found in the Kennedale prairie hillsides.
The Scarlet Beeblossom (Scarlet Gaura) population at Kennedale is the 1st detection of the species in the area in over 40 years in the Edmonton area and given urban and industrial development since the previous occurrences, Kennedale may be the northmost living population of the species in North America (the previous known northmost population was around Fort Saskatchewan-Scotford and may no longer exist).
Kennedale is one of the only places in the Edmonton region where Rosa arkansana (Prairie Rose) can be found; of Alberta's 3 native rose species, this one is only found in native grasslands and is locally uncommon.
Provincially vulnerable species include: Purple Prairie Clover, Oval-leaved Milkweed, and Rhombic-leaved Sunflower (not yet blooming).