Plant Portraits

As spring progresses, with summer around the corner, whether in a home garden or a temperate rainforest,  floral diversity is abundant. Many plants are beginning to bloom with some early flowering plants producing their fruits, such as Salmonberry and  Blueberries. Many smaller plants may be overlooked, including Foamflower, (Tiarella trifoliata). Found on the edges of conifer forests, these plants in the Saxifrage family display small and precious white flowers that form an upright stalk. This plant exemplifies the many wonders of nature that can easily be overlooked. With increased floral resources available, female worker bees are now out in full force collecting nectar and pollen for their hive, or for many solitary bees, pollen for their larvae. British Columbia is home to roughly 600 species of bees, many solitary species. Solitary bees do not live in a social group, instead nesting in natural cavities or  underground burrows where they lay their eggs. The life cycle of these bees differs from the familiar honey and bumblebee. As summer approaches, keep your eye out for all the big and little creatures that surround you. You never know what you'll discover!

Sam