Vascular Plants of Richmond

VASCULAR PLANTS OF RICHMOND

To date, 530 species of vascular plants have been reported on the islands of Richmond in a variety of habitats. These includesalt and freshwater marsh, bog, wet meadows, forest and low sand dune/sandspit formations; 228 of these are native species while eleven are considered rare in British Columbia (e.g. Bidens amplissima).

Sandy shoreline habitats in Richmond, such as that at Iona Beach Regional Park, are home to populations of the large-headed sedge (Carex macrocephala), sea rocket (Cakile edentula) and numerous other sand dune species.

Bog Laurel (Kalmia microphylla ssp. occidentalis),

photo by Brian Klinkeberg

Remnant bogs , such as the Lulu Island Bog, provide good habitat for numerous heath species, including Labrador tea (Rhododendron [Ledum] groenlandicum), bog rosemary (Kalmia microphylla spp. occidentalis), and wild cranberry (Oxycoccus oxycoccus ), as well as several species of Sphagnum and numerous sedges (e.g. Eriophorum chamissonis, and Rhynchospora alba).

The birch forests that occur throughout the municipality support a variety of plant species, including sword fern (Polystichum munitum), red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), serviceberry or saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and salal (Gaultheria shallon), and, in some spots, young stands of western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla).

Ponds, marshes and ditches on the islands support many wetland species, including common cattail (Typha latifolia), yellow pond lily (Nuphar polysepala), and several species of sedges and rushes (e.g. Carex lyngbyei and Carex stipata).

The highly fragrant white rein orchid or tall northern white bog orchid (Platanthera dilatata) is found in shoreline meadows along the Fraser River.