Challenge - Rediscover historical/extirpated species in Ontario!

Some of my most exciting iNat moments have been the discovery of new species, new populations of rare species or the rediscovery of populations that haven't been reported in decades. With so many excellent botanists participating in the Big Year, I thought that an exciting challenge would be to rediscover a species with no recent occurrences in Ontario. Examples include:

Midwestern Ninebark (Physocarpus intermedius):
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/631600-Physocarpus-intermedius
Looks like P. opulifolius but with distinctly hairy carpels. To be looked for on drier sites than P. opulifolius with sandy or limestone substrate in SW and NW Ontario.

Illinois Tick-trefoil (Desmodium illinoense):
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/161737-Desmodium-illinoense
Believed to be extirpated from Ontario, this species historically occurred in Komoka and Thamesville. To be looked for in prairie remnants in SW Ontario.

Twisted Sedge (Carex torta):
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/160131-Carex-torta
To be looked for along rocky shorelines of the Thames River and its tributaries.

Large Whorled Pogonia (Isotria verticillata):
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/62184-Isotria-verticillata
Listed as Endangered in Ontario and possibly extirpated. Hasn't been seen in some time but its phenology is poorly understood and it could reappear at locations where it hasn't been reported in years. To be looked for in lowland woods and swamp margins in the Carolinian zone.

Erect Knotweed (Polygonum erectum):
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/167240-Polygonum-erectum
Look for it in open disturbed areas in SW Ontario, such as gravel pits, railways and bluffs.

Smooth Forked Nailwort (Paronychia canadensis):
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/136368-Paronychia-canadensis
To be looked for in Essex County woods (looking at @tom15 and @marknenadov).

Round-leaved Yellow Violet (Viola rotundifolia):
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/126864-Viola-rotundifolia
To be looked for in rich deciduous woods in the Niagara and Frotenac Axis areas.

Hairy Angelica (Angelica venenosa):
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/158382-Angelica-venenosa
Used to occur in Windsor-area prairies but not reported in some time (another one for @tom15 and @marknenadov)

Hairy-jointed Meadow-parsnip (Thaspium barbinode):
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/169669-Thaspium-barbinode
To be looked for in the Niagara region.

And many others! See Rare Vascular Plants of Ontario (Oldham & Brinker, 2009) for more info.

Posted on February 4, 2018 05:57 PM by wdvanhem