List of Plants 1 to 26
(1) Arbutus (Arbutus menziesii) In the Heath family, this broad-leafed evergreen with the smooth red-orange bark and distinctive profile is found in Canada only in BC. Its presence is indicative of dry sites.
(2) Big-leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) a member of the Maple family, is a tall (35 meters) and rapidly growing tree. The huge leaves turn yellow gold in the fall and make excellent compost.
(3) Bitter cherry (Prunus emarginata) in the Rose family is a shrub or small tree that often acts as a pioneer species on disturbed areas. It blooms early in the spring and provides a large crop of small bright red cherries.
(4) Black hawthorn (Crataegus douglasii) a small tree in the Rose family produces dark "little apples" loved by birds.
(5) Blackcap (Rubus leucodermis) in the Rose family is actually a black raspberry; the fleshy fruit ncomes off the receptacle leaving the core exposed. The shrub canes have an attractive blueish bloom.
(6) Blue eiderberry (Sambucus caerulea), a member of the Honeysuckle family.is one of two elderberries found on the island. It grows in drier coditions than the red elderberry and has a flat topped mass of white flowers which produce plate blue fruits.
(7) Buffalo-berry(Sherpherdia canadensis){no link for pictures at present} is in the Oleaster family as is the well known European plant, Russion olive. Buffalo-berry is found in the drier woodlands of the south end of the island.
(8) Cascara (Frangula purshiana) a member of the Buckthorn family is a small attractive shade tolerant tree whose laxative value was well known to early people. The tree is easily recongnized by the distinctive oval leaves which are prominently veined.
(9) Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana var. demissa) is a member of the Rose family. It is relatively uncommon on Gabriola though much more widespead furthur east. Flowers and dark purple fruit hang in long clusters. A few bushes may be found in Drumbeg Park on the west-side trail.
(10)Common hawthorn * (Crataegus monogyne) is a member of the Rose family. introduced from Europe, and while not as widespead on Gabriola as in Nanaimo area, there are examples here.
(11)Common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) in the Honeysuckle family is a common understory shrub that tolerates wide ranging conditions. The abundant snowy white berries display on itsbare branches in the winter/
(12)Donglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) a member of the Pine family, differs botanically from thr true firs. Growing up to 90 meters tall and lives for a thousand years.
(13)Douglas maple (Acer glabrum var. douglasii) is in the Maple family. This small tree is not common on Gabriola though it is widespread on Vancouver Island. Its wood was sometimes used for snowshoe frames.
(14)Dull Oregon-grape (Mahonia nervosa) is a small shrub in the Barberry family which is completely at home in shady woods. It has attractive yellow flowers in the spring and edible blue berries.
(15)Evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum) in the Heath family is one of our loveliest native shrubs. The dark evergreen saw-toothed leaves are oval shaped.
(16)Evergreen blackberry * (Rubus laciniatus) in the Rose family in one of the thorned invaders of the island. The leaf is nearly evergreen in this climate and cut into fine toothed segments which distinguishes this backberry from the other.
(17)Falsebox (Paxistima myrsinites) is a member of the Staff-tree family and is related to the popular Burning Bush used in landscaping. This shrub is evergreen howerver and less than a meter tall. It has small reddish flowers which bloom very earily in the spring and are easy to miss.
(18)Garry oak (Quercus garryana) in the Oak family is one of our most beatiful and important trees and is found mostly on the southwest part of Gabriola.
(19)Grand fir (Abies grandis) is in the Pine family. This stately tree with flat dark green needles is found growing in shady moist woods along with Western red cedar and Douglas fir.
(20)Gummy gooseberry (Ribes lobbii) in the Rose family has one of the most beautiful flowers among the gooseberry and currents. It looks more like a fuscia than a gooseberry and is a favorite of hummingbirds.
(21)Hairy manzanita (Arctostaphylos Columbiane) in the Heath family, is one of Gabriola's rarer shrubs.It perfers dry rocky outcrops and is mostly found on the south side of the island. The grey-green foliage and mahogany coloured bark make this an attractive shrub.
(22)Hardhack (Spirea douglasii ssp.Douglasii) in the Rose family is found in dense stands in wet areas. The masses of pink flowers make a lovely show.
(23)Himalayan blackberry * (Rubus discolor) in the Rose family is one of the most delicious and useful fruits on the island.
(24)Indian plum (Oemleria cerasiformis) in the Rose family is one of the earliest shrubs to bloom on Gabriola. The greenish-white flowers have a distinctive scent and male and female flowers are found on separate plants.
(25)Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) or Bearberry as it is also called, in the Heath family and is a widespread ground cover across Canada often growing in slope-covered mats along highways.It has dark evergreen leaves, small pink bell-like flowers and red berries.
(26)Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum) in the Heath family is a plant of acid wetlands and bogs. Showy white flowers with long stamens contrast with the glossy dark evergeen leaves in the spring and early summer.
Link to the Plants (27 to 53)
