Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: Pine Creek Water Treatment Plant

The only known location where this rather inconspicuous, native plant, a member of the Carrot family, was growing wild in Calgary was Edworthy Park (Upper level). Recently, it has also been found growing along the path near the Pine Creek Water Treatment Plant in SE Calgary, where this photo was taken on 3 June 2014.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of these plants growing along the Bow River, in the Pine Creek Water Treatment Plant area. Seen on a walk in the area on 3 June 2014. "Sisymbrium loeselii is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family known by several common names, including small tumbleweed mustard, tall hedge mustard, and false London rocket. It is native to Eurasia, and it is known on other continents as an introduced species and in some areas a common roadside weed. It is an annual herb producing a hairy, erect stem which can exceed a meter in height. The leaf blades are divided into triangular, lance-shaped, and toothed linear lobes, and are borne on petioles. The top of the stem is occupied by a raceme of flowers with bright yellow petals each measuring just under a centimeter long. The fruit is a silique up to 3.5 centimeters in length containing tiny seeds. This plant is allelopathic against other species growing around it - it produces chemicals that inhibit the germination of seeds of other species." From Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisymbrium_loeselii

The only reason I'm posting this shot is so that I can add it to my Plants of Alberta album. Not a very easy plant to photograph, I find, as so often there are a number of dead flowers visible. Makes for a rather "messy" image. It was seen on 3 June 2014, growing near the path along the Bow River, in the Pine Creek Water Treatment Plant area in SE Calgary. Like the Early Yellow Locoweed that I posted yesterday, this species belongs to the Pea family (Fabaceae).

This photo shows two flower heads of Early Yellow Locoweed, growing near the path along the Bow River, in the Pine Creek Water Treatment Plant area. These pale yellow flowers grow in clusters at the end of a stem and are growing in so many places at this time of year. It blooms May to June on prairie grassland, dry hillsides and roadsides. It is a member of the Pea family. Taken on 3 June 2014, when I actually got as far as going on a botany walk. I've been missing almost all the walks, partly because of a very painful back, plus the inflammation of my rotator cuffs (shoulders), plus muscle relaxant pills to treat this, that have knocked me out recently, AND I just can't get motivated to get out, lol. This weekend, though, I must make the effort. This time last year, we had no idea that we were in for devastating flooding, with the Alberta Flood of the Century, around 22 June. Missed pretty well all the wildflowers last year, as almost all the parks and natural areas in the city were closed all summer. Likewise outside the city, too, out in the mountains.

I finally got out for a walk yesterday, after three days of being on the verge of falling asleep. I really do not like being on a muscle relaxant, to help the inflammation of the rotator cuffs in both shoulders! Even though I've decided to take only half the dose prescribed, it's still making me feel drowsy and lethargic, which is not good when it comes to getting out. The drive yesterday was only short, as was the walk, but it felt good to get out. The walk yesterday was along the Bow River near the Pine Creek Water Treatment Plant. The narrow strip along the edge of the path closest to the river had a number of native wildflowers, including this tiny Early Blue Violet, but unfortunately the side furthest away from the river was full of weeds. There was just enough breeze to make it difficult to get a really sharp photograph of this little Violet. "These fragrant, bluish-purple flowers are up to 2 cm across. "Medicinally, early blue violet was used as a poultice for bruises, and a violet syrup was made to relieve epilepsy, inflamed eyes, insomnia, jaundice, and sore throats. In modern times, violets have been used to colour and flavour medicines." www.naturewatch.ca/english/plantwatch/species_details.htm...