Groundsel

This plant was seen on 13 August 2015, when I spent about three hours with three friends at Heritage Park in Calgary. One of them is a volunteer at the Park and she had very kindly invited us to visit.

The temperature got up to 33°C or 34°C for our visit!! We started our visit at 9:45 am, so it was still cooler than that, but as the heat increased in the afternoon, it became unbearable. Fortunately, I had a dentist appointment mid-afternoon, so I knew I would have maybe an hour and a half in air-conditioning before returning to my home that felt like an oven.

Our walk at Heritage Park was a combination of looking at the various old buildings and also checking on plants. There is a small native plant garden within the Hudson Bay Fort and we talked to a volunteer there, who I think may have learned a few new things from talking with us : )

www.heritagepark.ca/

www.heritagepark.ca/plan-your-visit/interactive-park-map....

We had been told before our visit that the Prohibited Noxious weed, Spotted Knapweed, had been seen at the Park, and we did find it, growing along a gravel road that led down by the Glenmore Reservoir. This species is a prolific seed producer and is very difficult to control. Along the edge of this road, we also saw this Groundsel plant, showing one tiny flower that had gone to seed. I think it is probably Common Groundsel / Senecio vulgaris, a common weed in Alberta. This small plant was introduced from Europe and grows in gardens, fields and waste areas. Apparently, the Pilgrims brought Common Groundsel to North America to treat the early stages of cholera.

Despite the heat, we had a very enjoyable visit. Heritage Park is a place I always intend to go to, but somehow I rarely make it. This was a treat, so thanks so much, Susan!