Monograph |
Corresponding author: Jeffery M. Saarela ( jsaarela@mus-nature.ca ) Academic editor: Doug Soltis
© 2020 Jeffery M. Saarela, Paul C. Sokoloff, Lynn J. Gillespie, Roger D. Bull, Bruce A. Bennett, Serguei Ponomarenko.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Citation:
Saarela JM, Sokoloff PC, Gillespie LJ, Bull RD, Bennett BA, Ponomarenko S (2020) Vascular plants of Victoria Island (Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Canada): a specimen-based study of an Arctic flora. PhytoKeys 141: 1-330. https://doi.org/10.3897/phytokeys.141.48810
|
Victoria Island in Canada’s western Arctic is the eighth largest island in the world and the second largest in Canada. Here, we report the results of a floristic study of vascular plant diversity of Victoria Island. The study is based on a specimen-based dataset comprising 7031 unique collections from the island, including some 2870 new collections gathered between 2008 and 2019 by the authors and nearly 1000 specimens variously gathered by N. Polunin (in 1947), M. Oldenburg (1940s–1950s) and S. Edlund (1980s) that, until recently, were part of the unprocessed backlog of the National Herbarium of Canada and unavailable to researchers. Results are presented in an annotated checklist, including keys and distribution maps for all taxa, citation of specimens, comments on taxonomy, distribution and the history of documentation of taxa across the island, and photographs for a subset of taxa. The vascular plant flora of Victoria Island comprises 38 families, 108 genera, 272 species, and 17 additional taxa. Of the 289 taxa known on the island, 237 are recorded from the Northwest Territories portion of the island and 277 from the Nunavut part. Thirty-nine taxa are known on the island from a single collection, seven from two collections and three from three collections. Twenty-one taxa in eight families are newly recorded for the flora of Victoria Island: Artemisia tilesii, Senecio lugens, Taraxacum scopulorum (Asteraceae); Crucihimalaya bursifolia, Draba fladnizensis, D. juvenilis, D. pilosa, D. simmonsii (Brassicaceae); Carex bigelowii subsp. bigelowii, Eriophorum russeolum subsp. albidum (Cyperaceae); Anthoxanthum monticola subsp. monticola, Bromus pumpellianus, Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. cespitosa, D. sukatschewii, Festuca rubra subsp. rubra, Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis subsp. pratensis (Poaceae); Stuckenia filiformis (Potamogetonaceae); Potentilla × prostrata (Rosaceae); Galium aparine (Rubiaceae); and Salix ovalifolia var. ovalifolia (Salicaceae). Eight of these are new to the flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago: Senecio lugens, Draba juvenilis, D. pilosa, Anthoxanthum monticola subsp. monticola, Bromus pumpellianus, Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. cespitosa, Poa pratensis subsp. pratensis and Salix ovalifolia var. ovalifolia. One of these, Galium aparine, is newly recorded for the flora of Nunavut. Four first records for Victoria Island are introduced plants discovered in Cambridge Bay in 2017: three grasses (Festuca rubra subsp. rubra, Lolium perenne, and Poa pratensis subsp. pratensis) and Galium aparine. One taxon, Juncus arcticus subsp. arcticus, is newly recorded from the Northwest Territories. Of the general areas on Victoria Island that have been botanically explored the most, the greatest diversity of vascular plants is recorded in Ulukhaktok (194 taxa) and the next most diverse area is Cambridge Bay (183 taxa). The floristic data presented here represent a new baseline on which continued exploration of the vascular flora of Victoria Island – particularly the numerous areas of the island that remain unexplored or poorly explored botanically – will build.
biodiversity, Canadian Arctic Archipelago, checklist, floristics, herbarium, natural history collections, range extension, taxonomy
The Canadian Arctic Archipelago is a large group of islands occupying the northern third of Canada and comprising 94 islands greater than 130 km2 and 36,469 smaller islands (
The flora of an area (whether local, regional, national, continental or global) refers to all plant species and taxa at other ranks occurring in the area; it is a principal measure of biodiversity. Exploration and documentation of the vascular plant flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago has been ongoing since the earliest expeditions in search of the Northwest Passage, nearly 200 years ago, during which crew members obtained new scientific information on the natural history of the lands being explored, including collections of plants. Vascular plant specimens have accumulated from across the Archipelago through the decades, variously collected opportunistically or as part of botanical studies by both botanists and non-botanists alike. Many floristic studies of areas of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago have been published, ranging from simple lists of plants to more detailed accounts of plant biodiversity, including information about taxonomy, nomenclature, distribution and ecology (
In contrast to the flora of an area, which is based on presence or absence of species regardless of abundance, vegetation refers to assemblage(s) of plant species, often focused on or characterized by the subset of species that are dominant in ecological communities. Arctic vegetation is responding rapidly to the changing Arctic climate, which is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the planet (
Many regions of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago remain underexplored or unexplored botanically, given the massive size of the region, the short window of opportunity for making field collections during Arctic summer, the small number of taxonomically trained and oriented Arctic botanists conducting field research, and the great logistical challenges and costs associated with accessing remote Arctic areas (
Here, we report the results of a collections-based floristic study of Victoria Island in the western Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Our study synthesizes existing published and unpublished information on the flora of the island, including new results from five field seasons (2008, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2016) of botanical collecting at sites across the island. A small subset of collections from our 2008 and 2010 trips, representing first records of the following species for Victoria Island (or first records with confirmed vouchers), were reported in
Victoria Island (217, 291 km2), about 3.8% larger than Great Britain, is the eighth largest island in the world and the second largest (after Baffin Island, 507,451 km2) in Canada. It is located in the western Canadian Arctic Archipelago (Fig.
Victoria Island was part of British Arctic territory from the 16th century to 1880, the year the British Arctic Territories were claimed by Canada and became part of the Northwest Territories. It remained wholly part of that territory until creation of the territory of Nunavut in 1999. Victoria Island now spans the two territories. The territorial border corresponds to the boundary of the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, which includes much of the western third of the island. The Northwest Territories portion of the island comprises the northern half of the western tip of Wollaston Peninsula, land north of the 70th parallel north except for a southern protrusion around most of Quunnqug Lake, and land east of the 110th meridian west. The Northwest Territories portion of the island is part of the Inuvik Region, and the Nunavut portion is part of the Kitikmeot Region. Victoria Island has been inhabited since approximately 4500 BP (
Victoria Island is fully within the Canadian Arctic ecozone, and of the three major Arctic regions recognized in Canada, it is part of the Northern Arctic, as is most of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago (
The Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Map–an international effort to develop a unified terminology for describing global Arctic vegetation–divides the circumpolar Arctic into five bioclimate zones (
Ecological zones recognized on Victoria Island. A Locations of bioclimate subzones C and D according to the Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Map (
The two communities on Victoria Island are located within bioclimate subzone D. Cambridge Bay has a mean annual air temperature of -13.9 °C for the climate normal period of 1981–2010 and the mean annual temperature in July is 8.9 °C and in February is -32.5 °C for the same period (
The Northwest Territories
With the establishment of the Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS; Polar Knowledge Canada) in Cambridge Bay in 2015, new ecological research has been initiated on Victoria Island and the adjacent mainland, including long-term, experiment-based monitoring of the terrestrial ecosystem (
Detailed accounts of the glaciation, geomorphology and surficial geology of Victoria Island are given by
Victoria Island was overlain by the Laurentide ice sheet during the Wisconsin glaciation, and the post-glacial landscape of the lowlands is characterized by numerous glacial landforms, including drumlins, drumlinoid ridges, till plain, moraines, esker complexes, kame hills, abandoned river valleys and meltwater channels, and glacio-lacustrine deposits (clay and silts). Marine strand lines marking former post-glacial marine limits are conspicuous on the island; nearly half the island was, at one point, submerged. Other marine features in inland areas include marine shells, raised deltas, raised beach ridges, abandoned strand lines and marine sediments. Coastal parts of western Victoria Island are characterized by having large morainal belts that often reach heights of 30 m or higher. Morainal topography is particularly varied on Wollaston Peninsula, attaining maximum height at the summit of Mt. Bumpus. Morainal belts of eastern Victoria Island are much smaller. The island is further characterized by its abundant lakes and rivers, floodplain deposits, alluvial fans and deltas. Pingos are present on southeastern Victoria Island, particularly on Wollaston Peninsula.
Ovayok Territorial Park, the only protected area on Victoria Island and one of three territorial parks in the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut, is located 15 km east of the community of Cambridge Bay (Fig.
The earliest botanical collections on Victoria Island were gathered during a four-year (1850–1854), two-ship (Enterprise and Investigator), British expedition in search of Sir John Franklin’s missing ships Erebus and Terror, and by John Rae in 1851. These collections are housed at the Royal Botanic Gardens Kew (K; herbarium acronyms follow
John Rae made collections along the “south shore” of Victoria Island in 1851 while exploring and mapping the area (
A substantial amount of information on the flora of Victoria Island accumulated in the 20th century. The herbaria in which the collections described below are housed are listed in the Annotated Checklist, unless otherwise indicated. Diamond Jenness, anthropologist, made collections on “Wollaston Land” (Wollaston Peninsula) in 1915, during the Canadian Arctic Expedition, 1913–1918. These were reported in
Considerable plant exploration of Victoria Island occurred in the 1940s, when many plant collections were made at fur trading posts on the eastern shore of Walker Bay (Fort Collinson), at Holman and Cambridge Bay, and on Read Island just off the south coast of the Wollaston Peninsula. Father Arthème Dutilly, associated with the Catholic University of America, collected in 1940 at Holman, at a site referred to on his collection labels as “Willows Patch” [Boot Inlet; see comments under Salix alaxensis about the location of this site], at Kookyoak River [=Kuujjua R.] and at Cambridge Bay (
Botanist A. Erling Porsild, with the National Museum of Canada, collected on Victoria Island in 1949 at several sites, spending no more than two days at each: Read Island (27 July), the interior of the Wollaston Peninsula (27 July), the head of Prince Albert Sound (4 August), Holman Island (Ulukhaktok; 8 August), “Jackpot Lake” (an unnamed lake east of the head of Minto Inlet; 16 August), Walker Bay (at Fort Collinson; 25 August), the head of Minto Inlet (2–3 August), Cambridge Bay (5 August), an unnamed lake ca. 60 miles north of Cambridge Bay (6 August), Tahoe Lake and Washburn Lake (4 August), and a few other places inland. Those collections reportedly doubled the number of species known from the island, bringing the then-known flora to 201 species (
Margaret Oldenburg, an amateur botanist from Grand Marais, Minnesota, travelled and botanized extensively across Victoria Island in the 1940s and 1950s. She travelled primarily by chartered aircraft, typically collecting during brief stops. In 1943, she made collections at Holman Island (=Ulukhaktok; 1 August) and Read Island (23–24, 31 August, 2–3 September). In 1944, she collected at Cambridge Bay (14–15 August) and again at Read Island (20 August). In 1945, she collected at Ulukhaktok (12 August), Walker Bay (12 August) and “Oldenburg Lake” (11 August), an unnamed lake on northwestern Victoria Island west of Peel Point. We determined the location of “Oldenburg Lake” (73.11750, -114.58) based on information in
Botanical documentation of the Victoria Island flora continued through the 1950s. Entomologists E. Smith and D.K. Sweatman, Department of Agriculture, Ottawa, collected in 1950 at Holman Island (Ulukhaktok). In 1952, entomologists D.P. Gray and B. Gibbard, also with the Dept. of Agriculture, made collections at Holman Island (Ulukhaktok). In 1959 and 1960, W.D. Stretton, Army Survey Establishment, made collections at Cambridge Bay and at numerous sites in interior Victoria Island, during defence mapping operations. Areas where Stretton collected include the north side and head of Prince Albert Sound, Berkeley Point, Burns Lake, Freshwater Bay, Gordon Point, Kuujjua River, Murray Point, Richard Collinson Inlet, Storkerson Peninsula, Ulukhaktok and the west end of the Diamond Jenness Peninsula. Botanists J.A. Calder, D.B.O. Savile and I. Kukkonen collected at Cambridge Bay on 12 August 1959.
Collections in the 1960s were focused on southeastern Victoria Island and in the 1970s in the Ulukhaktok area. Homer A. “Steve” Stephens (and his associate George M. Sutton) made extensive collections in 1962 in the vicinities of Cambridge Bay and Mount Pelly, in association with research on the White-rumped Sandpiper at Cambridge Bay. Stephens also made collections on Jenny Lind Island immediately southeast of Victoria Island in Queen Maud Gulf (
In the 1980s, Sylvia A. Edlund, Geological Survey of Canada, made substantial contributions to knowledge of the flora of Victoria Island, associated with research characterizing the relationships between surficial geology and plant communities. She made more than 1800 collections at numerous sites across the island, including many from sites where no other collections have been made. Sites visited and collected by Edlund in 1982 include Armstrong Point, Boot Inlet, Cape Baring, Cape Wollaston, Kugaluk River, Kuujjua River, the head of Minto Inlet, Mt. Bumpus, Murray Point, Natkusiak Peninsula, Peel Point, the north side and head of Prince Albert Sound, Richard Collinson Inlet, Sangraun Hills, Shaler Mountains near Richard Collinson Inlet, Tahiryuaq (a large lake north of the head of Prince Albert Sound), Ulukhaktok and southwestern Wollaston Peninsula (
Botanical exploration of Victoria Island continued in the 1990s. William T. Dushenko made collections at Byron Bay in 1992, in association with research on environmental contaminants (
Over three decades, ecologist Dietbert Thannheiser, University of Hamburg, Germany, conducted phytosociological research at sites on Victoria Island, including Cambridge Bay (1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1998), Holman (Ulukhaktok; 1986, 1973), the head of Minto Inlet (1986), Mt. Pelly (1984), Wellington Bay (1983), Hadley Bay (1986), Surrey Lake, Richardson Islands and Johansen Bay (
Despite over a century of exploration and documentation of the vascular flora of Victoria Island, only a small subset of the collection data has been published in detail. Material gathered on the island during the Canadian Arctic Expedition was published by
2008, 2010 and 2017
In July 2008, our team, comprising L.J. Gillespie, J.M. Saarela, L.L. Consaul and R.D. Bull (Canadian Museum of Nature), explored and collected plants along southern Victoria Island, Nunavut. Research was carried out under Nunavut Research Institute Scientific Research Licence 0401308N-A, Nunavut Wildlife Research Permit No. WL 2008-1039, Nunavut Water Board Permit No. 3BC-AFP0813 and Polar Continental Shelf Program (PCSP) Project Number 515-08. We established three base camps: (1) at a site ca. 13 km north of Oterkvik Point and 10 km north of the coast at Coronation Gulf (68°36'50"N, 112°34'21"W; 3–11 July); (2) 8 km east-northeast of Johansen Bay airstrip along the Nakoyoktok River at its outflow from a large unnamed lake (68°39'25"N, 110°42'30"W; 12–21 July); and (3) Sinclair Creek North Warning System site (abandoned DEW-line site) (68°45'5"N, 109°06'20"W; 22–24 July). In each area, we explored as many habitats as possible, by foot, at each camp, and made collections as we encountered taxa. Our aim was to document all of the vascular plant species in the vicinity of each of our three camps with at least one voucher specimen. We also explored several remote sites accessed by helicopter. Staging from Oterkvik Point, we visited five sites via helicopter on 7 July: two sites along a bay on Coronation Gulf east of Oterkvik Point (68°30'46"N, 112°33'60"W; 68°29'17"N, 112°40'13"W); an esker ca. 21 km north of the coast at Coronation Gulf and 24 km north-northeast of Oterkvik Point (68°41'59"N, 112°26'23"W); a low rocky ridge between two lakes near the previous locality (68°42'48"N, 112°30'08"W); low rocky hills at the coast in the vicinity of Oterkvik Point (68°31'32"N, 111°59'58"W; longitude coordinates recorded on specimen labels for this site as 112°59'58"W are erroneous). Collections made while exploring the Oterkvik Point area on foot and during the five helicopter stops noted above are recorded in the annotated checklist as being from Oterkvik Pt. Staging from Oterkvik Point, we also visited two more distant sites via helicopter on 8 July: the eastern-most slopes of the Colville Mountains (69°32'45"N, 112°41'27"W) and the vicinity of a river flowing into Clouston Bay, 3–4 km from the river mouth (69°02'39"N, 113°25'15"W). These are treated as separate sites in the annotated checklist. Staging from Johansen Bay we visited five sites via helicopter on 20 July: a flat-topped steep-sided hill, 11 km northeast of the Johansen Bay airstrip (68°39'12"N, 110°54'47"W); a pingo 23 km west of the Johansen Bay airstrip (68°26'23"N, 111°40'22"W); the Johansen Bay airstrip (68°35'50"N, 111°6'59"W); the west end of Johansen Bay at the mouth of Mackenzie Creek (68°36'4"N, 111°21'7"W); and Mackenzie Creek, about 1 km from its mouth at the west end of Johansen Bay, along a river canyon above a waterfall and rapids (68°36'28"N, 111°22'10"W). Collections made while exploring the Johansen Bay area on foot and during the five helicopter stops noted above are recorded in the annotated checklist as being from Johansen Bay. Staging from Sinclair Cr., we visited one site via helicopter on 21 July: Murray Point on the west side of Wilbank Bay (68°35'33.5"N, 110°18'24"W). Murray Point is treated as a separate site in the annotated checklist. In total we made 1091 collections (numbers) of vascular plants, one of lichens and 27 of bryophytes.
In July 2010, we conducted fieldwork on northwestern Victoria Island, Northwest Territories, again aiming to document all species present at each site visited. Our team comprised L.J. Gillespie, J.M. Saarela, Jennifer Doubt, R.D. Bull and P.C. Sokoloff (Canadian Museum of Nature). Research was carried out under Aurora Research Institute Licence No. 14733, Inuvialuit Land Administration Licence No. ILA10HN004, and PCSP Project Number 509-10. We established three base camps: (1) at a site ca. 8 km inland from the head of Minto Inlet adjacent to a Geo-Mapping for Energy and Minerals (GEM) program, Natural Resources Canada, camp (71°37'10"N, 115°26'22"W; 7–8, 19–26 July); (2) at a site on the northeast side of a small round unnamed lake (ca. 1 km diameter) ca. 4 km north of Boot Inlet on the north side of Minto Inlet (71°30'35"N, 117°20'35"W; 9–12 July); and (3) at a site on the southeast side of “Fish Lake” on the lower Kuujjua River between two small lakes, on the south side of Minto Inlet (71°12'28"N, 116°22'46"W; 12–18 July). Collections were also made in Ulukhaktok by J.M. Saarela and R.D. Bull (5–6 July; Saarela nos. 1410–1508). Staging from the Kuujjua River camp we visited three sites by helicopter on 17 July: the base of north-facing cliffs 68 km east-northeast of Ulukhaktok (71°2'60"N, 116°9'48"W); the sandy banks of the Kuujjua River south of “Fish Lake”, ca. 17 km southeast of the head of Minto Inlet (71°6'43"N, 116°6'21"W); the shore of the Kuujjua River delta at Minto Inlet (71°15'23"N, 116°49'35"W). Staging from the Minto Inlet camp we visited three sites via helicopter on 25 July: a deep canyon on an escarpment south of the head of Minto Inlet in the vicinity of large waterfall (71°25'30"N, 115°12'2"W), a coastal saline flat along the end of the eastern most inlet (north arm) at the head of Minto Inlet (71°31'7"N, 115°6'30"W), and an esker on a plain 3 km south of the head of Minto Inlet (71°27'10"N, 115°17'3"W). We made 1048 collections (numbers) of vascular plants, one of lichens, five of bryophytes and 14 of fungi. Jennifer Doubt made extensive collections of bryophytes during this expedition, which are not considered here.
In 2017, 20 collections were made in Cambridge Bay by J.M. Saarela (nos. 5296–5301) during the Canada C3 expedition (https://canadac3.ca/en/homepage/).
All 2008, 2010 and 2017 collections were dried in the field in standard plant presses. For each collection we preserved a small sample of leaf tissue in silica gel for future molecular analyses. In most cases, we tagged the plant from which we obtained the sample. These tissue samples are preserved in the National Biodiversity Cryobank of Canada at the Canadian Museum of Nature. These collections were variously determined by L.J. Gillespie, J.M. Saarela and P.C. Sokoloff unless otherwise indicated (Suppl. material
2013, 2014
Fieldwork was conducted by B.A. Bennett in the vicinity of Cambridge Bay in 2013 and the Cambridge Bay and broader vicinity in 2014. The aim of this work was to document all species of vascular plants in the area to contribute to understanding of the ecology of the greater Canadian High Arctic Research Station (CHARS) (Polar Knowledge Canada) research area. In 2013, collections were made at numerous sites within the community, along the road to Mt. Pelly, within Ovayok Territorial Park, at the east end of Greiner Lake, and along the road west of the community, as far west as the hills above Long Point. In 2014, collections were made within the hamlet, across the bay from the hamlet, north of the DEW line site, at Long Point and at three sites more distant from the hamlet: “30-Mile Creek”, near the Ekalluk River and the west end of Ferguson Lake, and “Trunsky Lake”. Vouchers of material collected in 2014 has been distributed to
2016, 2018 and 2019
Botanical fieldwork was conducted by CHARS ecologist S. Ponomarenko during three field seasons. From 3–18 August 2016 a vegetation survey was carried out for the CHARS Intensive Monitoring Area (IMA), an area restricted to two small watersheds within the Greiner Lake watershed that drains to the northern shore of Greiner Lake approximately 20–30 km to the northeast of Cambridge Bay, an area measuring about 50 km2. This work was conducted as part of the high resolution vegetation mapping of the CHARS IMA project (
In the 2018 and 2019 field seasons, floristic collections were obtained during helicopters surveys of a broader area. In 2018, five days of helicopter surveys were undertaken within the Greiner Lake watershed, an area measuring approximately 1,500 km2. In 2019, eight days of helicopter surveys were undertaken north and east of Greiner Lake watershed along the border of bioclimatic subzones C and D. This survey covered an area of about 2,000 km2 north and east from the Greiner Lake watershed. This work constituted a part of the vegetation inventory and mapping project aiming to assemble baseline data for the CHARS ERA.
Vouchers collected during these three years of fieldwork are housed at CAN and CHARS. In total more than 700 specimens were collected, of which 394 collections were reviewed for this work. The remaining 300 collections, mainly collected in 2019, are not yet processed.
Herbarium research and data curation
In addition to accounting for our new collections, we attempted to locate and confirm or revise determinations of all unique collections of vascular plants from Victoria Island. To find specimens collected previously from the study area, we manually searched the collections at CAN,
As part of the current study, three batches of unprocessed material gathered on Victoria Island in the 1940s, 1940s–50s and 1980s that was stored in the backlog collection of the National Herbarium of Canada were organized, identified, mounted and inserted into the permanent collection. One batch comprised 134 sheets collected by Nicholas Polunin at Cambridge Bay in 1947. The second batch comprised 498 sheets collected by Margaret Oldenburg at various sites across the island (see Introduction). The third batch comprised 359 collections gathered by Sylvia Edlund at various sites across the island in 1982, 1986 and 1987 (see Introduction). In the course of processing this material, we discovered that 38 of these Edlund backlog collections from Victoria Island had previously been assigned CAN accession numbers and were recorded in the museum database (and thus mobilized online), but the material remained unmounted, until now. These 991 collections–of which some were gathered 70+ years ago – are now available to the scientific community and are published here. The backlog material from Victoria Island dealt with here is a subset of larger backlog batches of Arctic specimens at CAN gathered by Edlund, Oldenburg and Polunin.
During the course of this study, imaging of all vascular plant material housed at CAN from Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut was completed and all images were linked to the institutional database and mobilized via GBIF. GBIF tools were used to identify and fix putative data errors in Victoria Island records. The images also facilitated completion of data entry for CAN specimens from Victoria Island for which only “skeletal” records existed (i.e., taxon name and higher-level geographic provenance – country and province/territory) or for which data entry was otherwise incomplete.
We amalgamated all collection data obtained from different resources into a spreadsheet. Substantial manual cleaning of the complete dataset was undertaken to make the dataset useable, including standardizing names of collectors, date format and locality descriptions among specimens gathered by the same collector at the same site. We combined records of duplicate specimens housed in different collections into single records, maintaining information on the disposition(s) of the duplicate specimens.
We spent considerable time improving the georeferencing of records in our dataset. Most collections from Victoria Island were made long before the existence of the Global Positioning System and many before the existence of detailed topographical maps, or of maps, period. As such, many collections either lacked coordinates or included the following: (1) inaccurate or erroneous primary coordinates, (2) accurate or inaccurate secondary coordinates but no attribution or source information for the georeferenced coordinates, or (3) accurate but imprecise coordinates determined to the nearest minute, being within ca. one nautical mile of the site, assuming the coordinates are correct. Prior to the advent of digital mapping, this level of precision was generally sufficient for dot-based distribution maps presented at a fixed scale. For example, each dot in the maps in
Therefore, to improve accuracy of geographical coordinates, we secondarily georeferenced many sites following standard point-radius protocols, including determining estimates of coordinate uncertainty in metres, in cases where we were confident that existing location data could be improved upon. Georeferencing was done by J.M. Saarela and Paul Wise, Canadian Museum of Nature. Georeferencing data is included in Suppl. material
Distribution maps were generated in ArcMap 10.5.1. Additionally, using ArcMap 10.5.1, we generated maps showing the locations of all collecting sites on the island, maps showing the locations of collections made by S. Edlund, including for specimens previously accessioned into the CAN herbarium and for specimens that had been housed in backlog and were newly accessioned as part of this study, and collections made by A.E. Porsild, Gillespie et al., B. Bennett, S. Ponomarenko, and M. Oldenburg. A heat map showing the density of collections at sites on the island was generated using QGIS 3.4.
Annotated checklist
The vascular flora of Victoria Island is summarised in an annotated checklist. Classification of lycophytes and ferns follows
All species reported for the study area are documented by one or more voucher specimens, and only vouchered records are included and mapped. Observations of species noted by
To simplify publication of voucher information, we assigned each collection to a general area of the island. Where possible, we used general areas as described on specimen labels. In cases where no or vague site information is given on labels, however, we assigned specimens to a nearby named place. For example, collections by Edlund reported from south of Burns Lake were gathered in 1982 and 1987 at sites ca. 40–45 km south or south-southwest of the lake, but on the specimen labels the location is described only as “Geological Survey of Canada peat study location” along with the coordinates. In most cases, the toponyms we use are recognized by the Geographical Names Board of Canada. A few sites names, however, are not officially recognized. Examples include “Oldenburg Lake”, “Trunsky Lake” and “30-Mile Creek”, also known locally as “30 Mile River” and “Halovik River”. Locations of all general areas are shown in Fig.
Some toponyms on Victoria Island have changed in recent years. Ferguson Lake, a large lake north of Cambridge Bay that flows into Wellington Bay via the Ekalluk River, is officially known as Tahiryuaq, the Inuinnaqtun name. We use the English name for the lake to avoid confusion with two other lakes on Victoria Island also officially named Tahiryuaq. Both of these are in Northwest Territories, one north of Prince Albert Sound (70°56'2"N, 112°15'7"W) where collections were made by Edlund and the other southeast of the head of Minto Inlet (71°27'2"N, 114°45'8"W). The esker formerly known as Ovayuk/Mount Pelly, where many collections have been made, was renamed Uvayuq, effective 21 September 2012. The esker northwest of Mount Pelly and north of Cambridge Bay formerly known as Mount Lady Pelly (69°15'28"N, 104°48'37"W), where collections were made in 1962, was renamed Amaaqtuq, effective 21 September 2012.
For each taxon recorded from Victoria Island we summarize previous reports of the species occurrence on the island by site and indicate sites for which a taxon is newly recorded here. “Previously recorded” at a site means a species occurrence was stated or mapped for a site in one or more earlier published works, which are cited in the text here, regardless of whether or not voucher information was published, and the earlier report is supported by one or more vouchers cited in the text here, unless otherwise indicated. In most cases, the vouchers cited here are the collections on which the earlier records were based. In many cases, new material has been gathered from sites at which a species was previously reported, particularly those areas that are best collected, like Cambridge Bay and Ulukhaktok. Although we do not, in most cases, comment on the accumulation of material of a species at a particular site, we do cite all the relevant material known to us from each site.
“Newly recorded” at a site means the current study is the first to publish an occurrence of a species at a particular site. Such new records reported here include collections made during our fieldwork from 2008 on, earlier collections that previous workers did not consider in their floristic treatments, earlier collections that were not processed and available for study until recently, and new identifications of material known to previous authors, either because previous determinations were incorrect or in light of revised taxon circumscriptions. In all cases we include explicit citation of one or more voucher specimens supporting new records.
Patterns of floristic diversity
To characterize patterns of floristic diversity on Victoria Island we scored, based on our dataset, the presence of species/taxa in the following regions: Nunavut and Northwest Territories, the six areas that we aimed to document comprehensively in 2008 and 2010, two additional well-collected areas (Cambridge Bay, Ulukhaktok), and Ovayok Territorial Park, the only protected area on the island (Table
We compiled a dataset of some 7031 unique collections of vascular plants from Victoria Island (Suppl. material
The vascular flora of Victoria Island comprises 38 families, 108 genera, 272 species, and 17 additional taxa (Table
Number of genera and species in each family of vascular plants recorded from Victoria Island. The higher level classification of angiosperms follows
Order | Family | Genera | Species/Taxa | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lycophytes | Lycopodiales | Lycopodiaceae | 1 | 1 | ||
Monilophytes | Equisetales | Equisetaceae | 1 | 3 | ||
Polypodiales | Cystopteridaceae | 1 | 1 | |||
Dryopteridaceae | 1 | 1 | ||||
Woodsiaceae | 1 | 1 | ||||
Monocots | Alismatales | Potamogetonaceae | 1 | 2 | ||
Tofieldiaceae | 1 | 2 | ||||
Asparagales | Orchidaceae | 1 | 1 | |||
Poales | Juncaceae | 2 | 7/8 | |||
Cyperaceae | 2 | 33/35 | ||||
Poaceae | 17 | 38/44 | ||||
Eudicots | Ranunculales | Ranunculaceae | 6 | 13 | ||
Papaveraceae | 1 | 4 | ||||
Superasterids | Caryophyllales | Plumbaginaceae | 1 | 1 | ||
Polygonaceae | 2 | 2 | ||||
Caryophyllaceae | 7 | 19/21 | ||||
Amaranthaceae | 1 | 1 | ||||
Montiaceae | 1 | 1 | ||||
Superasterids | Asterids | Ericales | Primulaceae | 2 | 3 | |
Ericaceae | 8 | 11 | ||||
Gentianales | Rubiaceae | 1 | 1 | |||
Gentianaceae | 2 | 2 | ||||
Boraginales | Boraginaceae | 1 | 2 | |||
Lamiales | Plantaginaceae | 2 | 2 | |||
Lentibulariaceae | 1 | 1 | ||||
Orobanchaceae | 2 | 8 | ||||
Asterales | Asteraceae | 13 | 25/26 | |||
Superrosids | Saxifragales | Saxifragaceae | 3 | 15 | ||
Haloragaceae | 1 | 1 | ||||
Rosids | Fabales | Fabaceae | 4 | 10 | ||
Rosales | Rosaceae | 3 | 13/15 | |||
Campanulaceae | 1 | 1 | ||||
Fagales | Betulaceae | 1 | 1 | |||
Celastrales | Celastraceae | 1 | 1 | |||
Malpighiales | Salicaceae | 1 | 10/11 | |||
Linaceae | 1 | 1 | ||||
Myrtales | Onagraceae | 2 | 2 | |||
Brassicales | Brassicaceae | 10 | 31/33 | |||
Total | 21 | 38 | 108 | 272/289 |
Three families are represented by more than ten genera: Asteraceae (13), Brassicaceae (10), and Poaceae (17). Of the remaining 35 families, 21 are represented by a single genus, eight by two genera, two by three, one by four, one by five, one by seven and one by eight (Table
The number of collections per taxon from Victoria Island ranges from 1 to 162 (mean 24 ± 23). Thirty-nine taxa are known on the island from a single collection: Eurybia sibirica, Senecio lugens (Asteraceae), Mertensia drummondii (Boraginaceae), Braya thorild-wulffii subsp. glabrata, Cardamine bellidifolia, Crucihimalaya bursifolia, Draba norvegica, D. pauciflora, Erysimum coarctatum, Parrya nudicaulis (Brassicaceae), Sabulina elegans, S. stricta, Sagina caespitosa (Caryophyllaceae), Eriophorum russeolum subsp. albidum (Cyperaceae), Andromeda polifolia (Ericaceae), Oxytropis deflexa var. foliolosa (Fabaceae), Luzula wahlenbergii (Juncaceae), Montia fontana (Montiaceae), Corallorhiza trifida (Orchidaceae), Castilleja pallida var. caudata, Pedicularis hirsuta (Orobanchaceae), Anthoxanthum nitens subsp. nitens, Bromus pumpellianus, Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. cespitosa, D. sukatschewii, Festuca rubra subsp. rubra, Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis subsp. pratensis (Poaceae), Stuckenia filiformis, S. vaginata (Potamogetonaceae), Pulsatilla nuttalliana (Ranunculaceae), Potentilla hyparctica subsp. hyparctica, P. × prostrata, P. vulcanicola, Rubus chamaemorus L. (Rosaceae), Galium aparine (Rubiaceae), Salix arctophila, S. ovalifolia var. ovalifolia, S. planifolia (Salicaceae). Seven taxa are known from two collections: Braya thorild-wulffii subsp. thorild-wulffii, Draba fladnizensis, D. oligosperma (Brassicaceae), Arenaria longipedunculata (Caryophyllaceae), Equisetum scirpoides (Equisetaceae), Anthoxanthum monticola subsp. monticola (Poaceae) and Ranunculus sulphureus (Ranunculaceae). Three taxa are known from three collections: Antennaria monocephala subsp. angustata, Artemisia tilesii (Asteraceae) and Carex bicolor (Cyperaceae). Of the remaining taxa, 26 are known from 4–5 collections, 31 from 6–10, 51 from 11–19, 41 from 21–30, 28 from 31–40, 27 from 41–50 and 16 from 51–59. Fifteen species are known from 61–91 collections: Parrya arctica (Brassicaceae), Sabulina rubella, Silene uralensis subsp. uralensis (Caryophyllaceae), Carex aquatilis subsp. stans, C. fuliginosa subsp. misandra, C. membranacea, C. scirpoidea subsp. scirpoidea (Cyperaceae), Pedicularis lanata (Orobanchaceae), Arctagrostis latifolia subsp. latifolia, Dupontia fisheri, Festuca baffinensis, Poa glauca subsp. glauca (Poaceae), Bistorta vivipara (Polygonaceae), Dryas integrifolia subsp. integrifolia (Rosaceae) and Salix richardsonii (Salicaceae). Three species are known from over 100 collections: Draba corymbosa (102), Salix arctica (162), Draba cinerea (114) and Stellaria longipes (113).
Twenty-one taxa in eight families are newly recorded for the flora of Victoria Island, namely Artemisia tilesii, Senecio lugens, Taraxacum scopulorum (Asteraceae), Crucihimalaya bursifolia, Draba fladnizensis, D. juvenilis, D. pilosa, D. simmonsii (Brassicaceae), Carex bigelowii subsp. bigelowii, Eriophorum russeolum subsp. albidum (Cyperaceae), Anthoxanthum monticola subsp. monticola, Bromus pumpellianus, Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. cespitosa, D. sukatschewii, Festuca rubra subsp. rubra, Lolium perenne, Poa pratensis subsp. pratensis (Poaceae), Stuckenia filiformis (Potamogetonaceae), Potentilla × prostrata (Rosaceae), Galium aparine (Rubiaceae) and Salix ovalifolia var. ovalifolia (Salicaceae). Eight of these are new to the flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago: Senecio lugens, Draba juvenilis, D. pilosa, Anthoxanthum monticola subsp. monticola, Bromus pumpellianus, Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. cespitosa, Poa pratensis subsp. pratensis, Salix ovalifolia var. ovalifolia. One of these, Galium aparine, is newly recorded for the flora of Nunavut. Four of these first records for Victoria Island are introduced plants discovered in Cambridge Bay in 2017: three grasses (Festuca rubra subsp. rubra, Lolium perenne, and Poa pratensis subsp. pratensis) and Galium aparine. One taxon, Juncus arcticus subsp. arcticus, is newly recorded from the Northwest Territories.
Considering diversity in the CAVM subzones present on the island, 157 taxa are recorded in subzone C, 283 in subzone D, and 149 taxa are recorded in both subzones (Suppl. material
Within the Northwest Territories, 125 taxa are recorded in the West Prince Albert Lowland Mid Arctic (MA) ecoregion, 37 in the West Prince Albert Upland MA ecoregion, six in the East Prince Albert Plain MA ecoregion, 51 in the Shaler Mountains MA ecoregion, 76 in the Tahiryuak Upland MA ecoregion, 29 in Wollaston Peninsula MA ecoregion and 231 in Prince Albert Coastlands Low Arctic-north ecoregion (Suppl. material
Of the eight general areas on Victoria Island that have been botanically explored the most, the greatest diversity of vascular plants is recorded in Ulukhaktok, where 194 taxa are known (Table
Species discovery curves for each of the six areas we aimed to document comprehensively in 2008 and 2010 each indicate a generally consistent increase in number of new species found with each additional day of exploration (Fig.
Vascular plants recorded from Victoria Island. The table records whether or not each taxon is recorded in Northwest Territories and Nunavut, eight sites on the island that have been explored comprehensively (NWT: Ulukhaktok, Boot Inlet, Kuujjua River, the head of Minto Inlet; NU: Oterkvik Point, Johansen Bay, Sinclair Creek, Cambridge Bay) as well as Ovayok Territorial Park, Nunavut, the only protected area on Victoria Island. Occurrences at other sites are recorded in the annotated checklist and on the distribution maps. Taxa are listed by major clade, and then alphabetically by family.
Family | Taxon | Ulukhaktok | Boot Inlet | Kuujjua River | Head of Minto Inlet | Northwest Territories | Oterkvik Point | Johansen Bay | Sinclair Creek | Cambridge Bay | Ovayok Territorial Park | Nunavut |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lycophytes | ||||||||||||
Lycopodiaceae | Huperzia arctica Sipliv. | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||||
Monilophytes | ||||||||||||
Cystopteridaceae | Cystopteris fragilis (L.) Bernh. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Dryopteridaceae | Dryopteris fragrans (L.) Schott | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||||
Equisetaceae | Equisetum arvense subsp. alpestre (Wahlenb.) Schönsw. & Elven | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Equisetum scirpoides Michx. | • | • | ▲ | |||||||||
Equisetum variegatum Schleich. ex F.Weber & D.Mohr subsp. variegatum | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Woodsiaceae | Woodsia glabella R.Br. | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Monocots | ||||||||||||
Cyperaceae | Carex aquatilis subsp. stans (Drejer) Hultén | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ |
Carex atrofusca Schkuhr | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Carex bicolor All. | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||||
Carex bigelowii subsp. lugens (Holm) T.V.Egorova | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Carex bigelowii subsp. bigelowii | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Carex borealipolaris S.R.Zhang | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Carex capillaris subsp. fuscidula (V.I.Krecz. ex T.V.Egorova) Á.Löve & D.Löve | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Carex chordorrhiza L.f. | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||||||
Carex fuliginosa subsp. misandra (R.Br.) Nyman | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Carex glacialis Mack. | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Carex glareosa subsp. glareosa | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||||
Carex krausei Boeckeler | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Carex marina Dewey | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Carex maritima Gunnerus | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Cyperaceae | Carex membranacea Hook. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ |
Carex microglochin Wahlenb. | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Carex myosuroides Vill. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Carex nardina Fr. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ▲ | ||||||
Carex petricosa subsp. petricosa | • | • | • | ▲ | ▲ | |||||||
Carex rariflora (Wahlenb.) Sm. | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Carex rupestris All. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Carex saxatilis L. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Carex scirpoidea subsp. scirpoidea | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Carex simpliciuscula subsp. subholarctica (T.V.Egorova) Saarela | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Carex subspathacea Wormsk. | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Carex ursina Dewey | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Carex vaginata Tausch | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Eriophorum angustifolium Honck. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Eriophorum brachyantherum Trautv. & C.A.Mey. | • | • | • | ▲ | ▲ | |||||||
Eriophorum callitrix C.A.Mey. | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Eriophorum russeolum subsp. albidum (F.Nyl.) Väre | ▲ | |||||||||||
Eriophorum scheuchzeri subsp. scheuchzeri | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Eriophorum scheuchzeri subsp. arcticum M.S.Novos. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Eriophorum triste (Th.Fr.) Hadač & Á.Löve | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Eriophorum vaginatum subsp. vaginatum | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Juncaceae | Juncus arcticus subsp. alaskanus Hultén | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Juncus arcticus subsp. arcticus | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||||
Juncus biglumis L. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Juncus leucochlamys V.J.Zinger ex V.I.Krecz. | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Juncus triglumis subsp. albescens (Lange) Hultén | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Luzula confusa Lindeb. | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Juncaceae | Luzula nivalis (Laest.) Spreng. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Luzula wahlenbergii Rupr. | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Poaceae | Alopecurus borealis Trin. | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Anthoxanthum arcticum Veldkamp | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Anthoxanthum monticola subsp. monticola | ▲ | |||||||||||
Anthoxanthum monticola subsp. alpinum (Sw. ex Willd.) Soreng | • | • | ▲ | |||||||||
Anthoxanthum nitens subsp. nitens | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Arctagrostis latifolia subsp. latifolia | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Arctophila fulva (Trin.) Andersson | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||||
Bromus pumpellianus Scribn. | ▲ | |||||||||||
Calamagrostis purpurascens R.Br. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Calamagrostis stricta subsp. groenlandica (Schrank) Á.Löve | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Deschampsia brevifolia R.Br. | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||||
Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. cespitosa | ▲ | |||||||||||
Deschampsia sukatschewii (Popl.) Roshev. | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Dupontia fisheri R.Br. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Elymus alaskanus subsp. alaskanus | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||
Elymus alaskanus subsp. hyperarcticus (Polunin) Á.Löve & D.Löve | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Festuca baffinensis Polunin | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Festuca brachyphylla subsp. brachyphylla | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Festuca hyperborea Holmen ex Fred. | • | ▲ | ▲ | |||||||||
Festuca rubra subsp. arctica (Hack.) Govor. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Festuca rubra subsp. rubra | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Poaceae | Leymus mollis subsp. villosissimus (Scribn.) Á.Löve & D.Löve | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Lolium perenne L. | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Phippsia algida (Sol.) R.Br. | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Pleuropogon sabinei R.Br. | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Poa abbreviata subsp. abbreviata | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||||
Poa arctica subsp. arctica | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Poa arctica subsp. caespitans Simmons ex Nannf. | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||||
Poa glauca subsp. glauca | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Poa hartzii subsp. hartzii | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Poa pratensis subsp. pratensis | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Poa pratensis subsp. alpigena (Lindm.) Hiitonen | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Poa pratensis subsp. colpodea (Th.Fr.) Tzvelev | ▲ | |||||||||||
Puccinellia andersonii Swallen | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Puccinellia angustata E.L.Rand & Redfield | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Puccinellia arctica (Hook.) Fernald & Weath. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Puccinellia banksiensis Consaul | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Puccinellia bruggemannii T.J.Sørensen | ▲ | |||||||||||
Puccinellia nuttalliana (Schult.) Hitchc. | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Puccinellia phryganodes subsp. neoarctica (Á.Löve & D.Löve) Elven | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Puccinellia tenella subsp. langeana (Berlin) Tzvelev | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Puccinellia vaginata (Lange) Fernald & Weath. | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||||
Puccinellia vahliana (Liebm.) Scribn. & Merr. | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Trisetum spicatum (L.) K.Richt. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Potamogetonaceae | Stuckenia vaginata (Turcz.) Holub | • | ▲ | |||||||||
Potamogetonaceae | Stuckenia filiformis (Pers.) Börner | ▲ | ||||||||||
Tofieldiaceae | Tofieldia coccinea Richardson | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | ||||
Tofieldia pusilla (Michx.) Pers. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Eudicots | ||||||||||||
Amaranthaceae | Suaeda calceoliformis (Hook.) Moq. | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Asteraceae | Antennaria friesiana subsp. friesiana | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Antennaria media subsp. compacta (Malte) Chmiel. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||
Antennaria monocephala subsp. angustata (Greene) Hultén | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Arnica angustifolia subsp. angustifolia | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Artemisia borealis subsp. borealis | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||||
Artemisia borealis subsp. richardsoniana (Besser) Korobkov | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Artemisia hyperborea Rydb. | • | • | • | ▲ | ▲ | |||||||
Artemisia tilesii Ledeb. | • | • | ▲ | |||||||||
Askellia pygmaea (Ledeb.) Sennikov | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||||
Erigeron compositus Pursh | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Erigeron eriocephalus J.Vahl | • | ▲ | ▲ | |||||||||
Erigeron humilis Graham | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||||||
Erigeron porsildii G.L.Nesom & D.F.Murray | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Eurybia sibirica (L.) G.L.Nesom | ▲ | |||||||||||
Hulteniella integrifolia (Richardson) Tzvelev | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Petasites frigidus subsp. frigidus | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||
Senecio lugens Richardson | ▲ | |||||||||||
Symphyotrichum pygmaeum (Lindl.) Brouillet & Selliah | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Taraxacum ceratophorum (Ledeb.) DC. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Taraxacum holmenianum Sahlin | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Asteraceae | Taraxacum hyparcticum Dahlst. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Taraxacum phymatocarpum J.Vahl | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Taraxacum scopulorum (A.Gray) Rydb. | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Tephroseris frigida (Richardson) Holub | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||
Tephroseris palustris subsp. congesta (R.Br.) Holub | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Tripleurospermum maritimum subsp. phaeocephalum (Rupr.) Hämet-Ahti | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Betulaceae | Betula glandulosa Michx. | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Boraginaceae | Mertensia drummondii (Lehm.) G.Don | ▲ | ||||||||||
Mertensia maritima subsp. tenella (Th.Fr.) Elven & Skarpaas | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Brassicaceae | Braya glabella subsp. glabella | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Braya glabella subsp. purpurascens (R.Br.) Cody | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||||
Braya humilis subsp. humilis | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Braya thorild-wulffii subsp. thorild-wulffii | • | ▲ | ▲ | |||||||||
Braya thorild-wulffii subsp. glabrata J.G. Harris | ▲ | |||||||||||
Cardamine bellidifolia L. | ▲ | |||||||||||
Cardamine digitata Richardson | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Cardamine polemonioides Rouy | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Cochlearia groenlandica L. | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Crucihimalaya bursifolia (DC.) D.A.German & A.L.Ebel | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Descurainia sophioides (Fisch. ex Hook.) O.E.Schulz | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Draba arctica J.Vahl | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Draba cinerea Adams | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Draba corymbosa R.Br. ex DC. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Draba fladnizensis Wulfen | • | ▲ | ▲ | |||||||||
Draba glabella Pursh | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Draba juvenilis Kom. | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||||
Brassicaceae | Draba lactea Adams | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Draba micropetala Hook. | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Draba nivalis Lilj. | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||||
Draba norvegica Gunn. | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Draba oblongata R.Br. ex DC. | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||||
Draba oligosperma Hook. | ▲ | |||||||||||
Draba pauciflora R.Br. | ▲ | |||||||||||
Draba pilosa Adams ex DC. | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Draba simmonsii Elven & Al-Shehbaz | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Draba subcapitata Simmons | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||||
Erysimum coarctatum Fernald | ▲ | |||||||||||
Erysimum pallasii (Pursh) Fernald | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Eutrema edwardsii R.Br. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Parrya arctica R.Br. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Parrya nudicaulis (L.) Regel | ▲ | |||||||||||
Physaria arctica (Wormsk. ex Hornem.) O’Kane & Al-Shehbaz | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Campanulaceae | Campanula uniflora L. | • | • | • | ▲ | ▲ | ||||||
Caryophyllaceae | Arenaria humifusa Wahlenb. | • | ▲ | |||||||||
Arenaria longipedunculata Hultén | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Cerastium arcticum Lange | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||
Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schltdl. | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Cerastium regelii Ostenf. | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||||
Honckenya peploides subsp. diffusa (Hornem.) Hultén | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Sabulina elegans (Cham. & Schltdl.) Dillenb. & Kadereit | • | • | • | ▲ | ▲ | |||||||
Sabulina rossii (R.Br. ex Richardson) Dillenb. & Kadereit | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Sabulina rubella (Wahlenb.) Dillenb. & Kadereit | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Sabulina stricta (Sw.) Rchb. | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Sagina caespitosa Lange | ▲ | |||||||||||
Sagina nivalis Fr. | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Caryophyllaceae | Silene acaulis (L.) Jacq. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Silene involucrata subsp. involucrata | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Silene involucrata subsp. tenella (Tolm.) Bocquet | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||||
Silene ostenfeldii (A.E.Porsild) J.K.Morton | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||||
Silene uralensis subsp. uralensis | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Silene uralensis subsp. arctica (Th.Fr.) Bocquet | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Stellaria crassifolia Ehrh. | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||||
Stellaria humifusa Rottb. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Stellaria longipes Goldie | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Celastraceae | Parnassia kotzebuei Cham. ex Spreng. | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||||
Ericaceae | Andromeda polifolia L. | • | ▲ | |||||||||
Arctous alpina (L.) Nied. | • | • | ▲ | |||||||||
Arctous rubra (Rehder & E.H.Wilson) Nakai | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Cassiope tetragona subsp. tetragona | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Empetrum nigrum L. | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Rhododendron lapponicum (L.) Wahlenb. | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||||
Orthilia secunda subsp. obtusata (Turcz.) Böcher | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||||
Pyrola grandiflora subsp. grandiflora | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Vaccinium vitis-idaea subsp. minus (Lodd., G. Lodd. & W. Lodd.) Hultén | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Fabaceae | Astragalus alpinus L. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Astragalus richardsonii E.Sheld. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Hedysarum americanum (Michx.) Britton | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Hedysarum boreale subsp. mackenziei (Richardson) S.L.Welsh | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Lupinus arcticus subsp. arcticus | ▲ | |||||||||||
Oxytropis arctica var. arctica | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Oxytropis arctobia Bunge | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Oxytropis deflexa var. foliolosa (Hook.) Barneby | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Fabaceae | Oxytropis maydelliana Trautv. | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Oxytropis varians (Rydb.) K.Schum. | • | ▲ | ▲ | |||||||||
Gentianaceae | Gentianella propinqua subsp. propinqua | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ▲ | |||||
Lomatogonium rotatum subsp. rotatum | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||
Haloragaceae | Myriophyllum sibiricum Kom. | • | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Lentibulariaceae | Pinguicula vulgaris L. | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||||
Linaceae | Linum lewisii subsp. lewisii | • | • | • | ▲ | ▲ | ||||||
Montiaceae | Montia fontana L. | • | ▲ | ▲ | ||||||||
Onagraceae | Chamaenerion latifolium (L.) Sweet | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ |
Epilobium arcticum Sam. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Orchidaceae | Corallorhiza trifida Châtel. | • | ▲ | |||||||||
Orobanchaceae | Castilleja elegans Malte | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Castilleja pallida var. caudata (Pennell) B.Boivin | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Pedicularis albolabiata (Hultén) Kozhevn | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Pedicularis arctoeuropaea (Hultén) Molau & D.F.Murray | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Pedicularis capitata Adams | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Pedicularis hirsuta L. | ▲ | |||||||||||
Pedicularis lanata Willd. ex Cham. & Schltdl. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Pedicularis langsdorffii subsp. arctica (R.Br.) Pennell ex Hultén | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Papaveraceae | Papaver cornwallisense D.Löve | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Papaver dahlianum Nordh. | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Papaver hultenii Knaben | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Papaver lapponicum (Tolm.) Nordh. | • | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | ||||||
Plantaginaceae | Hippuris lanceolata Retz. | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Plantago canescens Adams | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Plumbaginaceae | Armeria scabra Pall. ex Roem. & Schult. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Polygonaceae | Bistorta vivipara (L.) Delarbre | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Oxyria digyna (L.) Hill | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Primulaceae | Androsace chamaejasme subsp. andersonii (Hultén) Hultén | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Androsace septentrionalis L. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Primula stricta Hornem. | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||||
Ranunculaceae | Anemone parviflora Michx. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ |
Caltha palustris subsp. radicans (T.F.Forst.) Hook. | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Halerpestes cymbalaria (Pursh) Greene | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||||
Pulsatilla nuttalliana (DC.) Spreng. | ▲ | |||||||||||
Ranunculus arcticus Richardson | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Ranunculus codyanus B.Boivin | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Ranunculus gmelinii subsp. gmelinii | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Ranunculus hyperboreus subsp. hyperboreus | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||||
Ranunculus nivalis L. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||
Ranunculus pygmaeus Wahlenb. | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||||
Ranunculus sabinei R.Br. | ▲ | ▲ | ||||||||||
Ranunculus sulphureus Sol. | ▲ | |||||||||||
Rosaceae | Dryas integrifolia subsp. integrifolia | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Potentilla anserina subsp. groenlandica Tratt. | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Potentilla arenosa subsp. arenosa | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Potentilla arenosa subsp. chamissonis (Hultén) Elven & D.F.Murray | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||||
Potentilla hyparctica subsp. hyparctica | ▲ | |||||||||||
Potentilla nivea L. | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||||
Potentilla pedersenii (Rydb.) Rydb. | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Potentilla × prostrata Rottb. | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Potentilla pulchella R.Br. | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Potentilla subgorodkovii Jurtzev | • | • | • | ▲ | ▲ | |||||||
Potentilla subvahliana Jurtzev | • | • | • | ▲ | ▲ | |||||||
Potentilla tikhomirovii Jurtzev | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Potentilla uschakovii Jurtzev | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Rosaceae | Potentilla vulcanicola Juz. | • | ▲ | |||||||||
Rubus chamaemorus L. | ▲ | |||||||||||
Rubiaceae | Galium aparine L. | • | ▲ | |||||||||
Salicaceae | Salix alaxensis var. alaxensis | • | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||
Salix arctica × Salix polaris | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Salix arctica Pall. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Salix arctophila Cockerell ex A.Heller | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Salix glauca var. stipulata Flod. | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Salix niphoclada Rydb. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Salix ovalifolia var. ovalifolia | ▲ | |||||||||||
Salix planifolia Pursh | ▲ | |||||||||||
Salix polaris Wahlenb. | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||||
Salix reticulata L. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Salix richardsonii Hook. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Saxifragaceae | Chrysosplenium rosendahlii Packer | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | ||||||
Chrysosplenium tetrandrum Th.Fr. | • | • | ▲ | • | ▲ | |||||||
Micranthes foliolosa (R.Br.) Gornall | • | ▲ | ▲ | |||||||||
Micranthes hieraciifolia (Waldst. & Kit. ex Willd.) Haw. | • | ▲ | ||||||||||
Micranthes nivalis (L.) Small | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||
Micranthes tenuis (Wahlenb.) Small | • | • | • | ▲ | ||||||||
Saxifraga rivularis subsp. arctolitoralis (Jurtzev & V.V.Petrovsky) M.H.Jørg. & Elven | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||||
Saxifraga aizoides L. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Saxifraga cernua L. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Saxifraga cespitosa L. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | ▲ | ||
Saxifraga flagellaris subsp. platysepala (Trautv.) A.E.Porsild | ▲ | ▲ | ||||||||||
Saxifraga hirculus L. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ▲ | |
Saxifraga hyperborea R.Br. | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | ▲ | |||||
Saxifraga oppositifolia L. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | ▲ | |||
Saxifraga rivularis L. | • | ▲ | • | • | ||||||||
Saxifraga tricuspidata Rottb. | • | • | • | • | ▲ | • | • | • | • | • | ||
Total | 194 | 139 | 176 | 173 | 237 | 127 | 181 | 85 | 183 | 57 | 277 |
We recorded 272 species and 289 taxa on Victoria Island, including 21 taxa newly reported for the island. This represents an increase of 4.3% from the 277 taxa previously recorded from Victoria Island (
The greatest regional vascular plant diversity on Victoria Island is recorded from Ulukhaktok (188 species, seven infraspecific taxa, one hybrid) and the next-greatest diversity is recorded from Cambridge Bay (176 species, 11 infraspecific taxa, one hybrid), with about 3.5% fewer taxa recorded than Ulukhaktok. This was an unexpected result, as we had predicted the Cambridge Bay area to be richer because (1) there has been more exploration and collecting there (1422 unique collections in our dataset) compared to Ulukhaktok (915 unique collections), and (2) the Cambridge Bay area, as we have defined it, including the area east of the community along the road to Ovayok Territorial Park and west of the community to the Augustus Hills area, is considerably larger (200 km2) than the Ulukhaktok area (16.5 km2) where collections have been made. In addition to different levels of species richness, the floras of the two areas are dissimilar. Although a total of 150 taxa are documented in both areas, 43 are recorded from Uluhaktok that are not known from Cambridge Bay and 33 from Cambridge Bay that are not known from Ulukhaktok; 61 taxa recorded on the island are not recorded from either area (Table
The distribution maps presented here serve as updates to those produced over the decades (
There are few introduced vascular plant species in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, and none that are considered to be invasive (
The numerous first records of taxa for Victoria Island reported by
In addition to first records for Victoria Island, the current study documents many new sites for species previously recorded from one or more sites on the island. The majority of these are collections that close major or minor gaps in species’ known distributions. For example, our 2008 fieldwork across southern Victoria Island–in areas where no or few collections had previously been made–resulted, as expected, in collections that close numerous gaps in distribution for taxa otherwise documented elsewhere on the island, across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and on the adjacent mainland. Our fieldwork on southeastern Victoria Island resulted in collections from many sites that had not previously been explored or documented (e.g., the Greiner Lake watershed, “Trunsky Lake”, “30-Mile Creek”). Some new site records reported here variously represent extensions to the known ranges of species, to the north (Gentianella propinqua, Tofieldia pusilla), south (Festuca hyperborea) and west (Juncus arcticus subsp. arcticus). In a few cases, we report additional collections for species newly reported for the island in
Thirty-nine taxa are known on the island from a single collection, seven from two collections and three from three collections. All 47 of these taxa may be considered rare on the island, and efforts should be made to discover additional populations. Many of the taxa known from a single collection have not been seen in decades, being known only from collections made in 1915 (Eurybia sibirica, Mertensia drummondii), 1945 (Pedicularis hirsuta), 1946 (Potentilla hyparctica subsp. hyparctica), 1949 (Anthoxanthum nitens subsp. nitens, Montia fontana), 1952 (Potentilla vulcanicola), 1959 (Braya thorild-wulffii subsp. glabrata, Draba norvegica), 1962 (Salix ovalifolia var. ovalifolia), 1964 (Bromus pumpellianus, Erysimum coarctatum, Pulsatilla nuttalliana, Rubus chamaemorus, Salix planifolia, Senecio lugens), 1986 (Cardamine bellidifolia) and 1987 (Draba pauciflora, Sagina caespitosa). The exact original collecting sites for all the collections made prior to the 1980s would likely be impossible to re-locate, since locality information on specimen labels is brief and imprecise. For example, the 1964 collections are part of a larger set of 48 specimens gathered by J.D.H. Lambert from “Long Lake” (Kellogok), a linear lake some 10 km in length with its northwestern end included in (or surrounded by) the southeastern portion of Ovayok Territorial Park. Additional information provided on the labels is brief, including plot numbers 21–27, the coordinates 69°07'N, 104°34'W, and the habitat “sedge meadow” on a subset of collections. The coordinates mark a spot about 750 m west of the mid-point of the lake. We do not know how accurate these coordinates are, nor if they were determined by the collector or secondarily by another worker based on the named locality. The recorded plot numbers suggest the collections were made as part of an ecological study, but we have not been able to align them with published or unpublished research. Other species recorded by Lambert from “Long Lake” include the rare species Lupinus arcticus subsp. arcticus (three collections) and the heaths Empetrum nigrum, Rhododendron tomentosum subsp. decumbens, Vaccinium uliginosum and V. vitis-idaea subsp. minus, most of which are uncommon on the island. The presence of the heaths indicates acidic substrate in the “Long Lake” area, which on southeastern Victoria Island is otherwise known only from the Wellington Bay area. Efforts should be undertaken to explore the “Long Lake” area to try and re-locate the occurrence(s) of these rare taxa, most of which should be relatively conspicuous, particularly if/when in flower, and which have not been seen in the area in over 50 years.
The species discovery curves for the six sites on Victoria Island at which we aimed to document all vascular plant diversity present indicate, not surprisingly, that species discovery is directly correlated with search intensity: as more days were spent at a site, more species were found. Search intensity is also a function of the number of searchers active in an area and their field botany skills, taxonomic expertise and knowledge of and experience with the flora under study. Some Arctic species are difficult to identify, especially in the field (high-powered magnification is often needed to observe diagnostic characters), such as those in the genera Draba and Potentilla and in groups that field botanists – in the Arctic and elsewhere – tend to be less familiar with, like the grasses (Poaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae). Specialist knowledge is usually needed to locate and recognize diversity in such challenging groups in the field. Our own experience on Victoria Island serves as an example of this: the Canadian Arctic flora was brand new to one of us (J.M. Saarela) on our 2008 expedition. Reflecting on experience gained with the Canadian Arctic vascular plant flora in both the field and herbarium over the subsequent ten-year period, it is likely that some species present at sites studied in the plant families focused on by that individual (grasses, sedges, rushes) during that expedition were overlooked (J.M. Saarela, pers. obs.). Reciprocally, Puccinellia expert Laurie Consaul, who was also part of the 2008 expedition, focused on documenting diversity in that challenging genus on Victoria Island. Results, based on targeted search efforts, included her locating new populations of P. banksiensis, a species described as new to science that same year that was not then known from the island (
Vascular plant species diversity in the Canadian Arctic is correlated with habitat diversity. A large subset of species in the Arctic tend to be dominant and widespread, present wherever suitable habitat occurs; these species are easy to find. On the other hand, many vascular plant species in the Arctic tend to be uncommon on the landscape and occur in microhabitats that do not reflect the dominant vegetation in an area. Examples of microhabitats we encountered on Victoria Island with interesting vascular plant diversity included bird perches (rocks, cliffs), shallow freshwater ponds and south-facing slopes. Locating and searching as many microhabitats as possible results in discovery of the greatest number of species, as we found on Victoria Island. Accordingly, the general locations of our camp sites were chosen by targeting areas that appeared, on topographical maps, to be topographically diverse, ideally including local variation in elevation, aspect, moisture and geology. Ability to survey as many habitats as possible in an area is related to the amount of time available for searching and the diversity of the landscape. The number of days we spent in each area were determined based on our estimate of how long it would take to thoroughly explore the local habitat diversity, though other factors also affected this, such as availability of helicopter support and weather, which greatly affects logistical planning in the Arctic. Exactly where we were able to establish base camps was dependant on suitable areas to land a Twin Otter plane on the tundra in order to establish a camp, the availability of helicopter support for establishing a camp, logistical and financial support for plane and helicopter time, and weather.
The species discovery curves (Fig.
Vascular plant biodiversity in the Arctic is correlated with summer warmth, with diversity declining substantially from south to north. A total of 75–150 species is expected in local floras across bioclimate subzone C and 125–250 in subzone D, based on research by
Comparisons of documented levels of vascular plant diversity among the various bioclimate and ecological zones defined on Victoria Island and with diversity recorded within the subzones elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic provides insight into how complete current documentation of the vascular flora is across the island. Several taxa on the island recorded from both bioclimate subzones C and D are known from single occurrences in subzone C. Although uncommon (or poorly documented) in subzone C on the island, all but one are common and/or known from multiple collections elsewhere in the subzone either in the eastern and northern Arctic (Cystopteris fragilis) or more or less throughout the subzone (western, eastern and northern) (Equisetum arvense subsp. alpestre, Huperzia arctica, Woodsia glabella). Their rareness in subzone C on the island may therefore be a result of collection bias, which seems likely for E. arvense, or lack of appropriate habitat, which seems likely for the fern taxa, which grow on acidic substrates that are uncommon on Victoria Island. The presence of Carex vaginata in subzone C is a borderline occurrence, as the species is known elsewhere in that subzone only from one area of Banks Island. Of the seven species recorded in subzone C but not in subzone D on Victoria Island, four occur elsewhere in subzone D in Canada: Cardamine bellidifolia, which is widespread in several parts of subzone D, and Puccinellia bruggemannii, Ranunculus sabinei and R. sulphureus, which are recorded mostly along the northern edge of subzone D (
There is also considerable variation in levels of vascular plant diversity recorded within subzone C on Victoria Island. For example, within the Nunavut portion of subzone C, lower diversity (101 taxa) is recorded from the northern part of the subzone, here arbitrarily defined as comprising Storkerson Peninsula, the head of and west side of Hadley Bay, and Natkusiak Peninsula, than is recorded from the rest of the subzone in Nunavut. Of the species recorded from the more northerly Nunavut portion of subzone C, 18 are not recorded from the more southerly Nunavut portion of the subzone (Caltha palustris subsp. radicans, Cardamine bellidifolia, Carex nardina, Cerastium arcticum, Chamaenerion latifolium, Eriophorum angustifolium, Micranthes foliolosa, Papaver dahlianum, Pleuropogon sabinei, Potentilla uschakovii, Puccinellia angustata, P. vaginata, P. vahliana, Ranunculus hyperboreus subsp. hyperboreus, R. nivalis, R. sulphureus, Sagina nivalis, Saxifraga flagellaris subsp. platysepala). All but four of these (Cardamine bellidifolia, Micranthes foliolosa, Ranunculus sulphureus and Saxifraga flagellaris subsp. platysepala) are recorded in the Nunavut portion of subzone D on the island. It is therefore likely that the remaining 13 species occur within the southern Nunavut portion of subzone C, but are as yet unrecorded. Reciprocally, there are 43 species recorded in the southern Nunavut portion of subzone C on Victoria Island that are not recorded in the northern Nunavut portion of the subzone (Armeria scabra, Arnica angustifolia subsp. angustifolia, Astragalus richardsonii, Braya thorild-wulffii subsp. glabrata, Carex atrofusca, C. bigelowii subsp. lugens, C. borealipolaris, C. chordorrhiza, C. fuliginosa subsp. misandra, C. maritima, C. saxatilis, C. simpliciuscula subsp. subholarctica, Cassiope tetragona subsp. tetragona, Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. cespitosa, Draba arctica, D. glabella, D. nivalis, D. pauciflora, D. simmonsii, Elymus alaskanus subsp. alaskanus, Equisetum arvense subsp. alpestre, Erigeron eriocephalus, Eriophorum brachyantherum, E. callitrix, Festuca rubra subsp. arctica, Juncus triglumis subsp. albescens, Oxytropis maydelliana, Papaver lapponicum, Potentilla subgorodkovii, Puccinellia arctica, Ranunculus codyanus, R. gmelinii subsp. gmelinii, R. pygmaeus, Salix alaxensis var. alaxensis, S. arctica × S. polaris, S. niphoclada, S. polaris, Saxifraga aizoides, Silene uralensis subsp. arctica, Symphyotrichum pygmaeum, Taraxacum ceratophorum, T. hyparcticum, Tofieldia pusilla, Woodsia glabella). A subset of these are expected to be present within the northern Nunavut portion of the subzone, given their documented occurrences on nearby islands to the north and east (
Species are not distributed evenly throughout subzone D across southern Victoria Island. The composition of the vascular flora of the southeastern part of the island differs somewhat from the southwestern part. As a way to quantitatively assess this, we arbitrarily divided the subzone at Wellington Bay. We found that 178 species are known from both east and west of Wellington Bay, 216 are recorded from east of the bay and 224 from west of the bay. These differences are likely due to a combination of the historical biogeography of the region, in that a subset of species present on the southwestern part of the island, such as those with western or Beringian distributions that are at the edges of their ranges on western and southwestern Victoria Island, are likely absent on the southeastern part, and collection bias, in that some species that are present have not yet been documented in areas east or west of the bay. Species recorded from subzone D on southwestern but not southeastern Victoria Island that are not known from nor expected to occur on the southeastern part of the island, given knowledge of their broader distributions (
Our data indicate very low documented species diversity for most of the Northwest Territories ecological regions. With the exception of the Prince Albert Coastlands Low Arctic North ecoregion, which includes Ulukhaktok and the areas around Minto Inlet we intensively surveyed in 2010 (Kuujjua River, head of Minto Inlet and Boot Inlet) and that several other collectors have visited, low recorded diversity is due to collection bias rather than reflecting true levels of vascular plant diversity. Aside from our 2010 efforts, there has been no attempt to comprehensively document local floras at sites/areas within the ecological regions, and most have only been cursorily explored. For example, in the East Prince Albert Plain Mid-Arctic Ecoregion, spanning 9,866 km2, only six species are known, all recorded from one site, by S. Edlund, on the east side of Richard Collinson Inlet. Within the West Prince Albert Upland Mid-Arctic Ecoregion collections representing 37 taxa were been made by M. Oldenburg at a single site, “Oldenburg Lake”, all of which are newly reported here. In the Shaler Mountains Mid-Arctic Ecoregion 51 taxa are recorded, in the Wollaston Peninsula Mid-Arctic Ecoregion just 29 taxa are recorded, and collections representing 76 taxa have been made in the Tahiryuak Upland Mid-Arctic Ecoregion. Considerable field work will be needed to accurately document levels of vascular plant diversity in most of these regions, which may be considered underexplored botanically.
This study has substantially increased our understanding of the diversity and distribution of the vascular plant flora of Victoria Island. The results represent a new baseline of knowledge on which continued exploration of the flora of the island can build. We have provided documentation of several taxa new to the island and increased knowledge of the spatial distribution of taxa across the island. Study of existing herbarium material, which was greatly facilitated by recent mass-digitization efforts at several institutions, revealed a large number of occurrence records that have been overlooked in previous efforts to document the vascular flora of Vascular Island. Nearly 50 taxa on the island are rare, known by three or fewer collections. Although more than 7000 unique collections of vascular plants have been made on Victoria Island, many areas remain unexplored or poorly explored botanically. Numerous species that are expected to occur within bioclimate subzones C on the island have not yet been recorded there, while many species reach their northern limits in bioclimate subzone D on the island. We expect (and hope) that many new collections of vascular plants will be gathered over the coming years, particularly related to CHARS research activity in the Cambridge Bay area, on southeastern Victoria Island and across the entire island, and that the information on the distribution and diversity of vascular plant diversity on the island presented here will help guide future documentation efforts. The complete, specimen-based dataset published here will allow future workers to generate updated distribution maps including new occurrence records. We strongly encourage all researchers conducting botanical or plant-related ecological research on Victoria Island and throughout the Canadian Arctic to document species occurrences with specimens, and to deposit the material in one or more publically accessible herbaria, so that the collections may contribute to the centuries long mission to document Arctic biodiversity.
1 | Plants not producing flowers or seeds, reproducing by spores | 2 |
– | Plants producing flowers and seeds | 4 |
2 | Stems conspicuously jointed, bearing at each node a whorl of small, scale-like leaves united at the base | Equisetaceae |
– | Stems not conspicuously jointed, bearing green leaves or leaf-like structures, leaves not whorled, usually not scale-like | 3 |
3 | Leaves lanceolate to triangular, not divided; sporangia axillary | Lycopodiaceae |
– | Leaves (fronds) pinnately divided; sporangia borne on lower surface of leaves | Polypodiales |
4 | Leaves usually parallel-veined; parts of the perianth usually in threes or sixes; seeds with a single cotyledon | Monocots |
– | Leaves usually net-veined; parts of the perianth usually in fours or fives; seeds with two cotyledons | Eudicots |
1 | Fronds once pinnate, lower pinnae sometimes notched or toothed; sori with a divided, hair-like indusium | Woodsiaceae |
– | Fronds 2–3 pinnate or pinnatifid; sori with a hooded lateral indusium, or without indusia | 2 |
2 | Sori with a distinct lateral indusium; fronds thin, somewhat translucent; stipe thin, fragile, more or less translucent, easily disarticulated from a lateral rhizome | Cystopteridaceae |
– | Sori without an indusium; fronds stout; stipe stout, not fragile, firmly attached to a stout rootstock | Dryopteridaceae |
1 | Perianth absent or inconspicuous and of bracts, scales or bristles | 2 |
– | Perianth present, in two distinct whorls | 4 |
2 | Flowers not enclosed in or subtended by bracts, scales or bristles; plants aquatic; leaves submersed or floating; stipules present, adnate to the blade for 2/3 to nearly the entire length of the stipule; inflorescences submersed | Potamogetonaceae |
– | Flowers enclosed in or subtended by bracts, scales or bristles; plants usually terrestrial, rarely aquatic; leaves erect, rarely floating (Arctophila, Pleuropogon); stipules absent; inflorescences never submersed if plants aquatic | 3 |
3 | Stems round, hollow between nodes; leaves 2-ranked; leaf sheaths usually open, sometimes closed; anthers attached at the middle; fruit a caryopsis | Poaceae |
– | Stems triangular or round, solid; leaves 3-ranked; leaf sheaths closed; anthers attached at the base; fruit an achene | Cyperaceae |
4 | Plants rootless and leafless, mycotrophic; flowers zygomorphic | Orchidaceae |
– | Plants with roots and leaves, autotrophic; flowers actinomorphic | 5 |
5 | Perianth conspicuous, deciduous; tepals white, yellowish-green, greenish, pinkish cream or deep crimson; leaves equitant (having the base folded and partly enclosing the leaf above), laterally flattened | Tofieldiaceae |
– | Perianth relatively inconspicuous, persistent; tepals green to brown or purplish black; leaves not equitant, dorsi-ventrally flattened or round | Juncaceae |
1 | Plants aquatic | 2 |
– | Plants terrestrial | 4 |
2 | Leaf blades entire | Plantaginaceae (Hippuris) |
– | Leaf blades finely divided | 3 |
3 | Leaves in whorls; flowers unisexual, 4-merous, petals lacking or inconspicuous and pinkish | Haloragaceae |
– | Leaves alternate; flowers bisexual, 5-merous, petals conspicuous, yellow or white | Ranunculaceae (Ranunculus) |
4 | Plants with woody or partly lignified creeping or erect stems (shrubs or sub-shrubs) | 5 |
– | Plants herbaceous | 9 |
5 | Leaves finely divided or lobed | Asteraceae (Artemisia) |
– | Leaves not divided or lobed, the margins at most crenulate or serrate | 6 |
6 | Petals absent; flowers arranged in catkins | 7 |
– | Petals present; flowers variously arranged, not in catkins | 8 |
7 | Plants monoecious; fruits 2-winged samaras, 1-seeded, seeds lacking hairs | Betulaceae |
– | Plants dioecious; fruits capsules, many seeded, seeds bearing a tuft of hairs | Salicaceae |
8 | Stamens 10 or fewer | Ericaceae (Andromeda , Arctous , Cassiope , Empetrum , Rhododendron , Vaccinium) |
– | Stamens 50+ | Rosaceae (Dryas) |
9 | Flowers arranged in dense heads on a common receptacle (the inflorescence having the appearance of a single flower) | Asteraceae |
– | Flowers arranged variously, but not on a common receptacle | 10 |
10 | Flowers with a single perianth | 11 |
– | Flowers with a double perianth | 15 |
11 | Leaves whorled | Rubiaceae |
– | Leaves not whorled | 12 |
12 | Leaves divided or deeply lobed | Ranunculaceae (Anemone , Anemonastrum , Pulsatilla) |
– | Leaves not deeply lobed or divided | 13 |
13 | Stipules present, fused and sheathing (ocrea) | Polygonaceae |
– | Stipules absent | 14 |
14 | Annuals; fruit a utricle | Amaranthaceae |
– | Perennials; fruit a capsule | Saxifragaceae (Chrysosplenium) |
15 | Petals fused | 16 |
– | Petals distinct, not fused | 23 |
16 | Stems scapose | 17 |
– | Stems leafy | 20 |
17 | Scape 1-flowered; plants carnivorous (leaves sticky and glandular, trapping and digesting insects) | Lentibulariaceae |
– | Scape several-flowered; plants not carnivorous | 18 |
18 | Inflorescences simple, spicate | Plantaginaceae (Plantago) |
– | Inflorescences compound | 19 |
19 | Inflorescences umbels; fruits capsular | Primulaceae |
– | Inflorescences dense hemispheric heads of scorpioid cymes; fruits dry, enclosed by persistent calyces | Plumbaginaceae |
20 | Leaves alternate | 21 |
– | Leaves opposite | 22 |
21 | Inflorescence a single flower; corolla campanulate; ovary inferior; fruit a capsule | Campanulaceae |
– | Inflorescences corymbose; corolla tubular or funnel-form; ovary superior; fruit an aggregate of nutlets | Boraginaceae |
22 | Flowers actinomorphic | Gentianaceae |
– | Flowers zygomorphic | Orobanchaceae |
23 | Cauline leaves opposite | 24 |
– | Cauline leaves alternate, or plants with a basal rosette | 26 |
24 | Plants annual | Montiaceae |
– | Plants perennial | 25 |
25 | Ovary inferior | Onagraceae (Epilobium) |
– | Ovary superior | Caryophyllaceae |
26 | Flowers strongly zygomorphic | Fabaceae |
– | Flowers actinomorphic or slightly zygomorphic | 27 |
27 | Pistils 2-several | 28 |
– | Pistil 1 | 31 |
28 | Perianth and androecium attached to the receptacle below the ovary (hypogynous) | 29 |
– | Perianth and androecium fused at the base to form a hypanthium (perigynous) | 30 |
29 | Staminodes present | Celastraceae |
– | Staminodes absent | Ranunculaceae |
30 | Stipules present | Rosaceae (Potentilla, Rubus) |
– | Stipules absent | Saxifragaceae (Micranthes) |
31 | Petals 4 | 32 |
– | Petals 5 | 34 |
32 | Ovary inferior | Onagraceae (Chamaenerion) |
– | Ovary superior | 33 |
33 | Sepals 4; stamens 6, in two distinct whorls, outer ones short, inner ones long; ovary 2-locular | Brassicaceae |
– | Sepals 2; stamens many, not in two distinct whorls; ovary 1-locular | Papaveraceae |
34 | Ovary 1-locular | Saxifragaceae (Saxifraga) |
– | Ovary 2-several-locular | 35 |
35 | Leaves basal (or appearing so), blades ovate, broadly ovate, elliptic, orbiculate, round or subreniform; petals green, greenish white, yellowish white, white, pinkish, or reddish | Ericaceae (Orthilia, Pyrola) |
– | Leaves cauline, blades linear, linear-lanceolate or linear-oblanceolate; petals usually blue, sometimes whitish | Linaceae |
Lycopodiales
Lycopodiaceae [1/1]
Huperzia Bernh. [1]
Huperzia arctica
(Grossh. ex Tolm.) Sipliv. (H. selago subsp. arctica (Grossh. ex Tolm.) Á.Löve & D.Löve, Lycopodium selago subsp. arcticum Grossh. ex Tolm.), Fig.
Species distribution maps. Lycopodiaceae: A Huperzia arctica. Equisetaceae: B Equisetum arvense subsp. alpestre C Equisetum scirpoides D Equisetum variegatum subsp. variegatum. Cystopteridaceae: E Cystopteris fragilis. Woodsiaceae: F Woodsia glabella. Dryopteridaceae: G Dryopteris fragrans. Tofieldiaceae: H Tofieldia coccinea I Tofieldia pusilla. Potamogetonaceae: J Stuckenia filiformis K Stuckenia vaginata. Orchidaceae: L Corallorhiza trifida.
Previously recorded from Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Edlund 476, 745 (CAN), Porsild 17234, 17235 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Ferguson L. [Tahiryuaq]: Bennett et al. 14-0432 (BABY). Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 7958 (CAN, O). Mukta [?] L.: Hainault 2124 (
Equisetales
Equisetaceae [1/3]
Equisetum L. [3]
Key to Equisetum [adapted from Porsild and Cody (1980) and Hauke (1993)]:
1 | Stems annual (persisting one year or less), bearing whorls of branches; cones terminal on brown unbranched reproductive stems or green branched stems; cone apex rounded | E. arvense subsp. alpestre |
– | Stems evergreen (persisting more than one year), unbranched or forking; cones terminal on green stems; cone apex pointed | 2 |
2 | Teeth 3 per sheath; stem ridges 6; stems inclined and tortuous | E. scirpoides |
– | Teeth 3–12 per sheath; stem ridges same number as teeth; stems stiff and straight | E. variegatum subsp. variegatum |
Equisetum arvense
subsp. alpestre (Wahlenb.) Schönsw. & Elven, Figs
A Equisetum arvense subsp. alpestre strobilus (left) and habit (right), Gillespie et al. 10109 B Equisetum variegatum subsp. variegatum habit, Gillespie et al. 8499 C Cystopteris fragilis habit, Gillespie et al. 9990 D Dryopteris fragrans habit, Johansen Bay, 18 July 2008 E Woodsia glabella habit F Woodsia glabella habitat G Tofieldia coccinea inflorescences, Kuujjua River, NT, 18 July 2010 H Tofieldia coccinea habit, Gillespie et al. 9749. Photos A, C by L.J. Gillespie B, D, G by R.D. Bull H by J.M. Saarela and E, F by B.A. Bennett.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L., the head of Minto Inl. (Porsild obs., conf.), Mt. Pelly, inland from the head of Prince Albert S., Ulukhaktok (Porsild obs., conf.) and Walker B. (Porsild obs.) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Edlund 576 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9576 (
Equisetum scirpoides
Michx., Fig.
The only previous record (unconfirmed) for Victoria I. is from Johansen B. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES: Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9616 (
Equisetum variegatum
Schleich. subsp. variegatum, Figs
Previously recorded from Anderson B., Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, Ferguson L., Hadley B., Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Pelly, Namaycush L., Natkusiak P., the head of Prince Albert S. (Porsild obs.), Richard Collinson Inl., Storkerson P., Tahoe L. (Porsild obs.) and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9588 (CAN). C. Wollaston: Edlund 28 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Edlund 643 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9826 (
Cystopteridaceae [1/1]
Cystopteris Bernh. [1]
Cystopteris fragilis
(L.) Bernh., Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Pelly, the head of Prince Albert S. (Porsild obs.), Richard Collinson Inl., Ulukhaktok, Walker B. and Washburn L. (Porsild obs.) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9596 (
Woodsia R.Br. [1]
Woodsia glabella
R.Br., Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L., Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Pelly, the head of Prince Albert S. (Porsild obs.), Ulukhaktok and Walker B. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9867 (
Dryopteris Adans. [1]
Dryopteris fragrans
(L.) Schott, Figs
Previously recorded from Ulukhaktok and Ferguson L. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Bandringa 342 (CAN,
Alismatales
Tofieldiaceae [1/2]
Tofieldia Hudson [2]
Key to Tofieldia [adapted from
1 | Bracts deeply 3-lobed; bracteoles absent; tepals white, cream, yellowish white or sometimes greenish white; capsules 2.5–3 mm; seeds 0.6–0.8 mm | T. pusilla |
– | Bracts ovate, margins ± entire (sometimes absent distally); bracteoles 3-lobed; tepals white or pale pink, often tinged pink to deep purplish; capsules 2–2.3 mm; seeds ca. 1 mm | T. coccinea |
Tofieldia coccinea
Richardson, Figs
Previously recorded from Ulukhaktok and Walker B. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9671 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9749 (
Tofieldia pusilla
(Michx.) Pers., Fig.
Previously recorded from Ulukhaktok and Walker B. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9590 (
Stuckenia Börner [2]
Key to Stuckenia [adapted from
1 | Leaf sheaths closed and tubular at base (connate) at least when young; stems freely branching proximally, sparsely branching distally; stipules with distinct ligules to 20 mm, especially on distal stipules; summit of midstem stipules tight to stem, about the ± same width as stem; fruit 2–3 mm | S. filiformis |
– | Leaf sheaths open at base, even when young, often with shortly overlapping edges (convolute); stems freely branching proximally to distally; stipules without ligules or ligules to 2 mm on distal stipules; summit of midstem stipules inflated at least 2 times width of stem; fruit 3–3.8 mm | S. vaginata |
Stuckenia filiformis
(Pers.) Börner (Potamogeton filiformis Pers., S. filiformis var. borealis (Raf.) H.St.John, S. filiformis subsp. alpina (Blytt) R.R.Haynes, Les & M.Král), Fig.
Newly recorded for Victoria I., where discovered growing in a small lake (shallow water with Hippuris lanceolata) near Greiner L. in 2016. The site marks the northern edge of the species’ range in the central Canadian Arctic. Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago known only from Sylvia Grinnell Territorial Park on Baffin I. and two sites on Southampton I. (
NUNAVUT. Greiner L.: Ponomarenko CB52 (CAN).
Stuckenia vaginata
(Turcz.) Holub (Potamogeton vaginatus Turcz., S. subretusa (Hagstr.) Holub), Fig.
Known from a single locality in the vicinity of Johansen B., discovered in 2008; see
NUNAVUT. Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 8048 (
Orchidaceae [1/1]
Corallorhiza Gagnebin [1]
Corallorhiza trifida
Châtel., Fig.
Known from a single collection we made in 2008 at Johansen B.; see details in
NUNAVUT. Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 8093 (CAN).
Juncaceae [2/7/8]
Key to Juncaceae
1 | Capsules many-seeded; leaves glabrous, sheaths open | Juncus |
– | Capsules 3-seeded; leaves hairy, sheaths closed | Luzula |
Key to Juncus [adapted from
1 | Inflorescences lateral cymes, sympodial; bracts erect, terete, appearing to be continuation of culms; bracteoles 2, at base of perianth; basal leaves bladeless, cauline leaves absent; flowers borne singly, not in heads (J. arcticus) | 2 |
– | Inflorescences terminal panicles or racemes of several heads or a single terminal head, sympodial or monopodial; bracteoles absent at base of perianth; basal leaves (at least some) usually with blade, cauline leaves present or absent; flowers in multiflowered heads | 3 |
2 | Flowers usually 2–5 per inflorescence; bract c. ¼–1/8 of culm | J. arcticus subsp. arcticus |
– | Flowers 3–10 per inflorescence; bract 1/7–1/10 of culm | J. arcticus subsp. alaskanus |
3 | Plants strongly rhizomatous, culms solitary; inflorescences of 1–3(–5) heads, each 2–10-flowered; tepals lanceolate, 4.5–6.6 mm | J. leucochlamys |
– | Plants cespitose, culms clustered; inflorescences single heads, each 1–2(–4)-flowered; tepals oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 2.5–5 mm | 4 |
4 | Primary bract much longer than inflorescence; capsule apex retuse; filaments 1–1.5 mm | J. biglumis |
– | Primary bract nearly equal to or shorter than inflorescence; capsule apex obtuse, mucronate; filaments 2.5–4 mm | J. triglumis subsp. albescens |
Juncus arcticus
Willd. subsp. arcticus, Fig.
Juncus arcticus s.l. was previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 164 (CAN), Porsild 17375 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Edlund 778 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Saarela & Teeter 5289 (CAN). Oterkvik Pt.: Gillespie et al. 7690 (CAN, O).
Juncus arcticus
subsp. alaskanus Hultén (J. balticus var. alaskanus (Hultén) A.E.Porsild), Fig.
Recorded from Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl., “30-Mile Cr.”, Cambridge Bay, Clouston B. and Johansen B. This western subspecies is the common one on the island. Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago it is recorded from Banks I., and on the mainland it extends to Bathurst Inl. and southeastern mainland Nunavut (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Edlund 651 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9911 (
Juncus biglumis
L., Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl., Natkusiak P., Richard Collinson Inl., Storkerson P., Washburn L. (Porsild obs., conf.) and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9559 (
Juncus leucochlamys
V.J.Zinger ex V.I.Krecz. | (J. castaneus Sm. pro parte., J. castaneus subsp. leucochlamys (V.J.Zinger ex V.I.Krecz.) Hultén), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, the head of Minto Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. C. Wollaston: Edlund 65 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9860 (CAN), 9901 (ari, CAN, O). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 125 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10227 (
Juncus triglumis
subsp. albescens (Lange) Hultén (J. albescens Lange, J. triglumis var. albescens Lange), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, C. Peel, C. Wollaston, Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Namaycush L., east of the head of Prince Albert S. and Ulukhaktok.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9555 (
Key to Luzula [adapted from
1 | Inflorescences open, paniculate cymes, flowers solitary at the end of the capillary branches; seeds 1.2–1.6 mm | L. wahlenbergii |
– | Inflorescences spike-like with flowers in heads; seeds 0.8–1.2 mm | 2 |
2 | Basal leaves ± flat, usually up to 5 cm, (2–)3–4 mm wide, tip obtuse, often slightly swollen, with a spinuliform mucro; cauline leaves (1–)2, 1–2(–3) cm; bracteole apices sparsely ciliate | L. nivalis |
– | Basal leaves ± subcanaliculate to ± flat, up to 6–9 cm, 1.5–2.5 mm wide, tip acuminate; cauline leaves 1–2, usually 2–4 cm; bracteole apices fimbriate-ciliate | L. confusa |
Luzula confusa
Lindeb., Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L. [Tahiryuaq], “Long L.”, the head of Minto Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Minto Inlet (head): Porsild 17378 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Edlund 811, 845 (CAN), Porsild 17264 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Bennett et al. 13-0304 (
Luzula nivalis
(Laest.) Spreng. (L. arctica Blytt), Figs
Previously recorded from Anderson B., Collinson P., Greely Haven, Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Namaycush L., Natkusiak P., Shaler Mts., Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9667 (
Luzula wahlenbergii
Rupr., Fig.
Known from a single collection we made in 2008 at Johansen B.; see
NUNAVUT. Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 8170 (CAN).
Key to Cyperaceae [adapted from
1 | Flowers and achenes partially to completely enclosed in scalelike structure (perigynium); perigynium in axil of scale; flowers unisexual; perianth absent | Carex |
– | Flowers and achenes not enclosed in scalelike perigynium; flowers in axil of scale; flowers usually bisexual, sometimes some, rarely all, flowers unisexual; perianth persistent, of 10–25 smooth, hairlike bristles | Eriophorum |
Key to Carex [adapted from
1 | Margins of perigynium open; terminal and distal spikelets usually 1-flowered, staminate; proximal spikelets 1-flowered and pistillate, or 2–4-flowered and bisexual with 1 pistillate flower proximally and 1–3 staminate flowers distally | 2 |
– | Margins of perigynium fused; all spikelets 1-flowered | 4 |
2 | Inflorescences compound; basal leaf sheaths dull, base of blade usually persistent | C. simpliciuscula subsp. subholarctica |
– | Inflorescences simple; basal leaf sheaths somewhat glossy, bladeless | 3 |
3 | Perigynia 2–3.5 mm, margins free to base; scales ovate, 2–3.5 mm; midvein distinct almost to tip; anthers 1–1.5 mm; achenes 2–2.8 mm | C. myosuroides |
– | Perigynia 3.5–5.5 mm, margins connate near base; scales obovate-circular, 3.5–5 mm; midvein distinct only near base; anthers 2–3 mm; achenes 2.6–4 mm | C. borealipolaris |
4 | Spikes solitary | 5 |
– | Spikes compound | 9 |
5 | Pistillate scales early deciduous; perigynia deflexed at maturity | C. microglochin |
– | Pistillate scales persistent; perigynia not deflexed at maturity | 6 |
6 | Stigmas 2; plants densely cespitose | 7 |
– | Stigmas 3; plants cespitose or loosely cespitose | 8 |
7 | Spike gynaecandrous (staminate flowers proximal, pistillate flowers distal); perigynia 1.5–2 mm; plants of seashores | C. ursina |
– | Spike androgynous (pistillate flowers proximal, staminate flowers distal); perigynia 3–5 mm; plants of dry, exposed tundra | C. nardina |
8 | Plants dioecious, rarely monoecious; rhizomes short, sometimes inconspicuous; perigynia hairy | C. scirpoidea subsp. scirpoidea |
– | Plants monoecious, spike androgynous; rhizomes long; perigynia glabrous | C. rupestris |
9 | Spikes all bisexual and sessile | 10 |
– | Spikes mostly unisexual, the terminal one staminate or bisexual | 13 |
10 | Some or all spikes androgynous | 11 |
– | Some or all spikes gynaecandrous | 12 |
11 | Plants rhizomatous, stolons lacking; perigynium beak 0.5–1 mm | C. maritima |
– | Plants rhizomatous and long-stoloniferous (vegetative stems ascending to erect when young, becoming prostrate stolons at maturity); perigynium beak 0.3–0.6 mm | C. chordorrhiza |
12 | Plants loosely cespitose; culms erect, 10–15(–30) cm; spikes 2–3(–4); lateral spikes gynecandrous, containing 3–8 perigynia, oblong-clavate; perigynia elliptic, green-white proximally, pale brown distally, often brown in age; beak indistinct | C. marina |
– | Plant densely cespitose; culms often arching, weak, 10–25 cm; spikes 2–4; lateral spikes pistillate, containing 5–10(–15) perigynia, oblong-linear; perigynia broadly elliptic-obovate to lanceolate, light to pale brown, often gray-brown at maturity; beak short | C. glareosa |
13 | Stigmas 2 | 14 |
– | Stigmas 3 | 19 |
14 | Terminal spike gynecandrous | C. bicolor |
– | Terminal spike staminate | 15 |
15 | Perigynia somewhat glossy, glabrous, more or less inflated, beak distinct; lateral spikes usually pendant | C. saxatilis |
– | Perigynia dull, usually papillose, sometimes glabrous, not inflated, beak indistinct; lateral spikes erect | 16 |
16 | Pistillate scales with a prominent, scabrous awn on at least the proximal scales; leaf blades involute, 1–2 mm wide | C. subspathacea |
– | Pistillate scales with apex acute, acuminate, or mucronate, lacking a prominent, scabrous awn; leaf blades not involute, the widest > 2 mm wide | 17 |
17 | Proximal bract longer than inflorescence (usually at least 1.5× as long) | C. aquatilis subsp. stans |
– | Proximal bract shorter than or equal to inflorescence (C. bigelowii) | 18 |
18 | Perigynia green, spotted purple-black on apical 1/2, minutely papillose; stipe 0.15–0.45 mm; proximal pistillate spike loosely flowered, base often attenuate, less often cuneate | C. bigelowii subsp. bigelowii |
– | Perigynia green, often white at maturity, uniformly purple-brown on apical 1/2, strongly or minutely papillose; stipe 0–0.15 mm; proximal pistillate spike densely flowered, base cuneate, less often attenuate | C. bigelowii subsp. lugens |
19 | Terminal spike gynaecandrous | 20 |
– | Terminal spike staminate | 21 |
20 | Perigynia lanceolate, 3.3–5.5 mm, margins ciliate; pistillate scales ovate, 2.8–4.2 mm; staminate scales oblong-obovate or obovate, 3–5 mm; achenes 1.5–2 × 0.9–1 mm | C. fuliginosa subsp. misandra |
– | Perigynia lanceolate to ovate-lanceolate, 1.5–3.3 mm, margins entire or serrulate; pistillate scales obovate or obovate-circular, 1.6–2.1 mm; staminate scales oblong-ovate 2–2.8 mm; achenes 1.1–1.4 × 0.6–0.9 mm | C. krausei |
21 | Inflorescence capitate, the lateral spikes short-peduncled | C. glacialis |
– | Inflorescence not capitate | 22 |
22 | Pistillate spikes sessile or nearly sessile | C. membranacea |
– | Pistillate spikes on peduncles as long or longer than the spikes | 23 |
23 | Plants tufted | 24 |
– | Plants rhizomatous | 25 |
24 | Pistillate scales black with pale midvein, ovate or oblong-ovate, 3–4.8 × 0.9–1.6 mm; lateral spikes 4–7 mm wide; terminal spike 6–15 × 2–5 mm, usually over-topping lateral spikes, sometimes overlapping some of them | C. atrofusca |
– | Pistillate scales medium to dark brown with pale midvein, ovate, obovate or obovate-circular, 2.3–3.5 × 0.8–1.2 mm; lateral spikes 3–4 mm wide; terminal spike 4–10 × 0.7–1.4 mm, level with or over-topped by some of the lateral spikes | C. capillaris subsp. fuscidula |
25 | Lateral spikes ± erect; proximal perigynia loosely arranged; perigynium beak distinct, (0.4–)0.6–1.8(–2.2) mm | C. vaginata |
– | Lateral spikes drooping, at least the lowermost ones; proximal perigynia densely arranged; perigynium beak absent or indistinct, to 0.5 mm | 26 |
26 | Perigynia pale green; proximal bracts of inflorescence 0.5–2 cm; spikes 2–4 | C. rariflora |
– | Perigynia pale yellow proximally, brown or black distally; proximal bracts of inflorescences 0.5–14 cm; spikes 3–8 | C. petricosa subsp. petricosa |
Carex aquatilis
subsp. stans (Drejer) Hultén (C. aquatilis var. minor Boott, C. stans Drejer), Figs
Species distribution maps. Cyperaceae: A Carex aquatilis subsp. stans B Carex atrofusca C Carex bicolor D Carex bigelowii subsp. bigelowii E Carex bigelowii subsp. lugens F Carex borealipolaris G Carex capillaris subsp. fuscidula H Carex chordorrhiza I Carex fuliginosa subsp. misandra J Carex glacialis K Carex glareosa subsp. glareosa L Carex krausei.
A Carex aquatilis subsp. stans habit, 18 July 2010 B Carex atrofusca habit, head of Minto Inlet, 25 July 2010 C Carex borealipolaris inflorescence, Gillespie et al. 9900 D Carex borealipolaris habit, Gillespie et al. 9900 E Carex fuliginosa subsp. misandra habit, Kuujjua River, NT, 18 July 2010. Photos by J.M. Saarela.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, Hadley B., Kuujjua R., Mt. Bumpus, Namaycush L., Natkusiak P., north and southeast of the head of Prince Albert S., Richard Collinson Inl., Storkerson P., Tahiryuaq and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18706 (
Care
x atrofusca Schkuhr, Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L., Jonnessee L., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Pelly, Tahiryuaq and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18705a (
Carex bicolor
Bellardi ex All., Fig.
Newly reported from Victoria I. and the western Canadian Arctic Archipelago based on a collection we made in 2008 in the Johansen B. area; see
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Edlund 646 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Bennett et al. 13-0199 (BABY, CAN). Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 8118 (CAN).
Carex bigelowii
Torr. ex Schwein. subsp. bigelowii, Fig.
Newly recorded for Victoria Island, known from Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L., Johansen B. and Oterkvik Pt. The Ferguson L. records were not previously determined to subspecies. This is a primarily eastern Arctic taxon recorded elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic from numerous mainland sites as well as Baffin, Devon, Ellesmere and Southampton islands (
NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Polunin s.n. (CAN). Ferguson L. [Tahiryuaq]: Hainault 2077, 2134 (
Carex bigelowii
subsp. lugens (Holm) T.V.Egorova (C. consimilis Holm, C. lugens Holm), Fig.
Previously known from Ulukhaktok and the head of Prince Albert S. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10269 (
Carex borealipolaris
S.R.Zhang (Kobresia sibirica (Turcz. ex Ledeb.) Boeckeler, K. hyperborea A.E.Porsild), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Namaycush L., Ulukhaktok and Walker B. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9557 (
Carex capillaris
subsp. fuscidula (V.I.Krecz. ex T.V.Egorova) Á.Löve & D.Löve, Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Read I., Tahoe L. (Porsild obs.), Ulukhaktok (Porsild obs., conf.) and Walker B. (Porsild obs.) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9675 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9774 (CAN, MT, O), 9946 (
Carex chordorrhiza
L.f., Fig.
Previously recorded from Tahoe L., where collected in 1949, and a lake edge 1.6 km northeast of Cambridge Bay (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Wollaston P.: Oldenburg 54-504A (
Carex fuliginosa
subsp. misandra (R.Br.) Nyman (C. misandra R.Br.), Figs
Previously recorded from Anderson B., Byron B., Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl., Natkusiak P., Namaycush L., N of a large lake in the Ekalluk River system about 90 km NNE of Cambridge Bay, Mt. Bumpus, Storkerson P., Tahiryuaq, Ulukhaktok and Walker B. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9668 (ari, CAN, MT, O), 9669 (CAN), 9676 (CAN, O). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9726 (CAN, O). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 91 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9488 (
Carex glacialis
Mack., Fig.
Previously known from near the head of Prince Albert S. (mapped erroneously in
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9909 (
Carex glareosa
Wahlenb. subsp. glareosa (C. glareosa var. amphigena Fernald), Fig.
Previously recorded from Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Porsild 17249 (
Carex krausei
Boeckeler (C. capillaris subsp. robustior (Lange) Böcher), Figs
Previously recorded from Ulukhaktok and the south side of Prince Albert S. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9541 (
Carex marina
Dewey (C. amblyorhyncha V.I.Krecz.), Figs
A Carex krausei habit, Gillespie et al. 9977 B Carex krausei inflorescence, Gillespie et al. 8114 C Carex marina habit D Carex marina habitat E Carex maritima habit, Johansen Bay, NU, 18 July 2008 F Carex membranacea inflorescence. Photos A, F by J.M. Saarela C, D by B.A. Bennett and B, E by R.D. Bull.
Species distribution maps. Cyperaceae: A Carex marina B Carex maritima C Carex membranacea D Carex microglochin E Carex myosuroides F Carex nardina G Carex petricosa subsp. petricosa H Carex rariflora I Carex rupestris J Carex saxatilis K Carex scirpoidea subsp. scirpoidea L Carex simpliciuscula subsp. subholarctica.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl. and Ulukhaktok (Porsild obs., conf.) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9640 (
Carex maritima
Gunnerus, Figs
Previously recorded from Albert Edward B., Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Pelly, Namaycush L., the head of Prince Albert S., Read I., Richard Collinson Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9651 (CAN, O). Kuujjua R.: Edlund 644 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9943 (CAN, O). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 132, 176 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10228 (CAN, O,
Carex membranacea
Hook., Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., C. Wollaston, Ferguson L., Kuujjua R., Mt. Bumpus, Natkusiak P., the head of Prince Albert S., Richard Collinson Inl., Tahiryuaq and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9551 (
Carex microglochin
Wahlenb., Fig.
Previously recorded from Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Edlund 771, 822 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Clouston B.: Gillespie et al. 7751 (CAN), 7754 (CAN, O). Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 8108 (
Carex myosuroides
Vill. (Kobresia myosuroides (Vill.) Fiori.), Figs
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9544 (
Carex nardina
Fr. (C. nardina var. atriceps Kük.), Fig.
Previously recorded from Mt. Bumpus, and Walker B. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9666 (
Carex petricosa
Dewey subsp. petricosa (Carex petricosa var. petricosa), Figs
A rare taxon known in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago only from western Victoria I., previously recorded from Walker B. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9657 (
Carex rariflora
(Wahlenb.) Sm., Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9548 (
Carex rupestris
All., Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Namaycush L., Natkusiak P., the head of Prince Albert S., Read I., Richard Collinson Inl., Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9670 (ari, CAN, O). C. Wollaston: Edlund 34, 44 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9721 (
Carex saxatilis
L. (C. saxatilis var. rhomalea Fernald, C. saxatilis subsp. laxa (Trautv.) Kalela, C. physocarpa J.Presl & C.Presl), Figs
Previously recorded Anderson B., Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., Jonnessee L., the head of Minto Inl. and Tahiryuaq (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9554 (
Carex scirpoidea
Michx. subsp. scirpoidea, Figs
A Carex scirpoidea subsp. scirpoidea habit, staminate plants B Carex simpliciuscula subsp. subholarctica habit, Kuujjua River, NT, 18 July 2010 C Carex subspathacea habit D Carex subspathacea habitat E Carex ursina habitat, Gillespie et al. 9964 F Carex vaginata inflorescence. Photos A, C, D, F by B.A. Bennett and B, E by J.M. Saarela.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L., Kuujjua R., “Long L.”, the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Namaycush L., the head of Prince Albert S., Richard Collinson Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9558 (
Carex simpliciuscula
subsp. subholarctica (T.V.Egorova) Saarela (Kobresia simpliciuscula subsp. subholarctica T.V.Egorova), Figs
Previously recorded from Ulukhaktok, the head of Minto Inl., Walker B. and Tahoe L. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9549 (CAN, O). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9728 (CAN, O). Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 9490 (
Carex subspathacea
Wormsk., Figs
Species distribution maps. Cyperaceae: A Carex subspathacea B Carex ursina C Carex vaginata D Eriophorum angustifolium E Eriophorum brachyantherum F Eriophorum callitrix G Eriophorum russeolum subsp. albidum H Eriophorum scheuchzeri subsp. arcticum I Eriophorum scheuchzeri subsp. scheuchzeri J Eriophorum triste K Eriophorum vaginatum subsp. vaginatum.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Richard Collinson Inl., Storkerson P., Ulukhaktok and Read I. (Porsild obs.) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9941 (
Carex ursina
Dewey, Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, Collinson P., Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Read I. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18718 (
Carex vaginata
Tausch, Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, the north side of Prince Albert S. (Porsild obs.), Ulukhaktok and southwestern Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9665 (CAN, O). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9787 (
Key to Eriophorum [adapted from
Note: In Eriophorum, the head-like structures are spikelets.
1 | Spikelets 2 or more, spreading or nodding, subumbellate or capitate, subtended by 1 or more blade-bearing involucral bracts, sometimes reduced to sheaths | 2 |
– | Spikelets solitary, erect, without blade-bearing involucral bracts | 3 |
2 | Peduncles smooth, drooping, up to 5–10 cm; lowermost involucral bract cylindrical, flowering spikelets oblong-ovoid or oblong-elliptical; fruiting spikelets bell-shaped or narrowly bell-shaped; scales brownish grey, greyish, reddish or ferrugineous with white margins; anthers (2.5–)3–4(–5) mm; achenes oblong-obovoid or oblong-elliptical, (2.5–)2.8–3(–3.5) mm | E. angustifolium |
– | Peduncles scabrous, arcuate, up to 2 cm; lowermost involucral bract funnel-shaped, flowering spikelets ovoid to almost spherical; fruiting spikelets obovoid; scales blackish, without whitish margins; anthers (1.8–)2.5–2.8(–3) mm; achenes widely obovoid, 2–2.5 mm | E. triste |
3 | Plants rhizomatous, forming mats; culms solitary; empty proximal scales of spikelets usually not more than 7 | 4 |
– | Plants cespitose; culms densely tufted; empty proximal scales of spikelets usually 10 or more | 6 |
4 | Medial scales of spikelets (0.8–)1.0–2.4 mm wide, acute, 0.25–0.6 mm wide at 0.2 mm below the apex, widest mostly at the middle or above, with well developed hyaline margins; anthers (1.3–)1.5–3.1 mm; achenes ellipsoid or obovoid, scabrous or glabrous, beak base 0.1–0.2 mm wide | E. russeolum subsp. albidum |
– | Medial scales of spikelets 0.3–1.5(–1.7) mm wide, acuminate to narrowly acuminate, 0.05–0.3(–0.4) mm wide at 0.2 mm below the apex, widest below the middle or close to the base, with frequently reduced hyaline margins; anthers 0.35–1.6 mm; achenes narrowly obovoid, always glabrous, beak base 0.05–0.1 mm wide (E. scheuchzeri) | 5 |
5 | Spikelets hemispherical; proximal fertile scales of spikelets dark, with dark margins or reduced hyaline margins sharply differentiated from the darker parts; medial scales narrowly acuminate (usually 0.1 mm wide at 0.2 mm below the apex), 0.3–0.7(–0.9) mm wide near the middle; mature achenes beige brown to olive-brown, slightly lustrous | E. scheuchzeri subsp. scheuchzeri |
– | Spikelets spherical; proximal fertile scales of spikelets bicoloured, with lower and medial parts dark but gradually passing to various tones of gray and conspicuous marginal and apical hyaline areas; medial scales acuminate (usually 0.2 mm wide at 0.2 mm below the apex), (0.5–)0.7–1.4(–1.6) mm wide near the middle; mature achenes orange-brown to dark reddish-brown, mostly dull | E. scheuchzeri subsp. arcticum |
6 | Proximal scales spreading or reflexed in fruit, with white-hyaline margins to 1 mm wide; anthers 2–3 mm; distal sheaths on culms inflated; usually forming large, dense tussocks | E. vaginatum subsp. vaginatum |
– | Proximal scales appressed to ascending, without conspicuous whitish margins; anthers 0.5–2 mm; distal sheaths on culms inflated or not; forming small, loose or compact tussocks | 7 |
7 | Culms 5–30 cm; distal leaf usually above the middle of the culm, sheath strongly inflated; proximal scales of spikelets black or dark gray, ovate, 3–4 mm wide, veins more or less reaching the margins; perianth bristles shiny white; achenes ellipsoid-obovoid, 1.8–2.1 mm | E. callitrix |
– | Culms 30–70 cm, rarely shorter; distal leaf usually above the middle of the culm, sheath not or weakly inflated; proximal scales of spikelets dark gray, lanceolate, 2–3 mm wide, veins not reaching the margins; perianth bristles creamy white; achenes oblanceoloid, (1.8–)2–2.3(–2.7) mm | E. brachyantherum |
Eriophorum angustifolium
Honck., Figs
A Eriophorum angustifolium habit, Gillespie et al. 9984 B Eriophorum callitrix habit, Gillespie et al. 7477 C Eriophorum scheuchzeri subsp. arcticum inflorescences D Eriophorum scheuchzeri subsp. arcticum habitat, Gillespie et al 9857 & 9861. Photos A, B by R.D. Bull and C, D by J.M. Saarela.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18710 (
Eriophorum brachyantherum
Trautv. & C.A.Mey., Fig.
Newly reported from Victoria I. and the western Canadian Arctic Archipelago in
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9673 (
Eriophorum callitrix
Cham., Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, Mt. Bumpus, Namaycush L., Richard Collinson Inl., Tahiryuaq, Tahoe L., Ulukhaktok and Washburn L. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9981 (CAN, MT, O), 9899 (CAN, mixed with E. brachyantherum), 9772b (CAN, O,
Eriophorum russeolum
subsp. albidum (F.Nyl.) Väre (E. russeolum subsp. leiocarpum M.S.Novos. nom. illeg.), Fig.
Newly recorded from Victoria Island based on a single collection gathered in the Greiner L. watershed ca. 45 km ESE of Cambridge Bay, where it grew in a lake shore fen in a Carex aquatilis–Drepanocladus community. Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic recorded from Baffin, Banks and Bylot islands and mainland sites (
NUNAVUT. Greiner L.: Ponomarenko VI-126 (CAN).
Eriophorum scheuchzeri Hoppe
The collections listed below have not been determined to subspecies and are not mapped.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Bliss s.n. (
Eriophorum scheuchzeri
subsp. arcticum M.S.Novos., Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Namaycush L., Storkerson P., Tahiryuaq and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9561 (
Eriophorum scheuchzeri
Hoppe subsp. scheuchzeri, Fig.
Previously recorded from Collinson P., the head of Minto Inl., a site SE of the head of Prince Albert S., Richard Collinson Inl. and Storkerson P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 165 (CAN). Richard Collinson Inl.: P. Jenness 11 (CAN), Stretton 211 (
Eriophorum triste
(Th.Fr.) Hadač & Á.Löve (E. angustifolium subsp. triste (Th.Fr.) Hultén), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Namaycush L. and Ulukhaktok.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9553 (
Eriophorum vaginatum
L. subsp. vaginatum, Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, “Long L.”, the head of Minto Inl., the north side of Prince Albert S. (Porsild obs.), Tahoe L. (Porsild obs.) and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9547 (CAN, MT, O). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9768 (
Key to Poaceae [adapted from
1 | Spikelets sessile, inflorescences spikes or spikelike racemes | 2 |
– | Spikelets pedicellate, inflorescences panicles or racemes | 5 |
2 | Distal portion of glumes hyaline; upper lemma margin hyaline; palea keels each with 2 awns | Pleuropogon sabinei |
– | Glumes and lemmas membranous or firm, not hyaline; palea keels without awns | 3 |
3 | Spikelets edgewise to rachis; most spikelets with 1 glume, only the terminal spikelet with 2 glumes | Lolium perenne |
– | Spikelets broadside to the rachis; all spikelets with 2 glumes | 4 |
4 | Spikes usually with 1 spikelet per node, occasionally with 2 at the lower nodes; glumes oblanceolate or obovate, 4–8 mm, glabrous or hairy, hairs 0.3–0.5 mm; lemmas 7–11 mm | Elymus alaskanus |
– | Spikes with 2 spikelets per node; glumes lanceolate, 9–34 mm, strigillose, pilose or villous; lemmas 11–20 mm | Leymus mollis subsp. villosissimus |
5 | Spikelets 1-flowered (rarely 2-flowered in Arctagrostis latifolia) | 6 |
– | Spikelets 2–many-flowered | 9 |
6 | Lemmas awned; glumes equalling or exceeding the lemmas | 7 |
– | Lemmas unawned or mucronate; glumes shorter than the lemmas | 8 |
7 | Glumes densely pilose, connate in lower 1/8; rachilla not prolonged beyond the base of the distal floret; calluses glabrous; disarticulating below the glumes | Alopecurus borealis |
– | Glumes glabrous or scabrous, free; rachilla prolonged beyond the base of the distal floret; calluses hairy; disarticulating above the glumes | Calamagrostis |
8 | Plants rhizomatous, usually coarse and robust; culms erect, 10–150 cm tall; blades 1–36 cm × 1.5–15 mm; ligules 2–7(–15) mm; inflorescences 2.5–35(–44) cm; spikelets 3–6.5 mm; glumes not caducous | Arctagrostis latifolia subsp. latifolia |
– | Plants cespitose or mat–like, diminutive; culms erect or procumbent, (2–)3.5–15 cm tall; blades 0.6–2.8 cm × 1.2–3 mm; ligules 0.3–1(–1.6) mm; inflorescences (0.5–)1–2(–3) cm; spikelets (1–)1.4–1.8 mm; glumes caducous | Phippsia algida |
9 | Spikelets with 2 sterile florets below a bisexual floret; fresh leaves sweet-smelling when crushed | Anthoxanthum |
– | Spikelets with bisexual florets, proximal sterile florets lacking; fresh leaves not sweet-smelling when crushed | 10 |
10 | One or both glumes exceeding the lowest floret, sometimes exceeding the distal floret | 11 |
– | Both glumes shorter than or subequal to the lowest floret | 14 |
11 | Leaf sheaths closed for at least 1/2 their length | 12 |
– | Leaf sheaths open for most of their length | 13 |
12 | Lemma apices obtuse; paleas subequal to the lemmas; glumes 1.5–4(–5) mm | Arctophila fulva |
– | Lemma apices acute to acuminate; paleas shorter than the lemmas; glumes 4–8.5(–9) mm | Dupontia fisheri |
13 | Lemma apices truncate, erose to 2–4-toothed; awns arising at or below midlength of lemma; spikelets shiny | Deschampsia |
– | Lemma apices acute, bifid; awns arising above midlength of lemma; spikelets not shiny | Trisetum spicatum |
14 | Lower lemmas with awns longer than 2 mm | 15 |
– | Lower lemmas unawned, mucronate, or with awns up to 2 mm | 17 |
15 | Awns bent, arising from the upper 1/3 of the lemma | Trisetum spicatum |
– | Awns straight, arising terminally or subterminally | 16 |
16 | Lemmas 9–16 mm; cauline leaf sheaths closed for at least 3/4 their length at maturity; spikelets 16–32 mm | Bromus pumpellianus |
– | Lemmas 2.5–7.5(–8) mm; cauline leaf sheaths open, or closed for ca. ½ or less their length at maturity; spikelets 3–14.5 mm | Festuca |
17 | Sheaths closed for more than 1/2 their length; plants aquatic | Arctophila |
– | Sheaths closed for 1/10 to ½ their length; plants not aquatic | 18 |
18 | Lemma veins more or less parallel distally, conspicuous; glumes usually distinctly shorter than the lowest lemma in the spikelets, sometimes only slightly shorter (P. vahliana), leaf blade apices not prow–tipped | Puccinellia |
– | Lemmas veins converging distally, usually inconspicuous, sometimes conspicuous; glumes slightly shorter than the lowest lemma; leaf blade apices prow-tipped | Poa |
Alopecurus borealis
Trin. (A. alpinus Sm., nom. illeg., A. magellanicus Lam. s.l.), Figs
Species distribution maps. Poaceae: A Alopecurus borealis B Anthoxanthum arcticum C Anthoxanthum monticola subsp. alpinum D Anthoxanthum monticola subsp. monticola E Anthoxanthum nitens subsp. nitens F Arctagrostis latifolia subsp. latifolia G Arctophila fulva H Bromus pumpellianus I Calamagrostis purpurascens J Calamagrostis stricta subsp. groenlandica K Deschampsia brevifolia L Deschampsia cespitosa subsp. cespitosa.
A Alopecurus borealis inflorescences, Gillespie et al. 9650 B Anthoxanthum arcticum habit C Arctagrostis latifolia subsp. latifolia habit, Gillespie et al. 9983 D Arctophila fulva habit, Gillespie et al. 8441 E Calamagrostis purpurascens habit (left), inflorescence (right), Gillespie et al. 8115 F Calamagrostis stricta subsp. groenlandica habit, Gillespie et al. 9908 G Deschampsia brevifolia habit (left), inflorescence (right), Gillespie et al. 9856. Photos A, C, F, G by J.M. Saarela, B by B.A. Bennett and D, E by R.D. Bull.
Previously recorded from Berkeley Pt., Cambridge Bay, Natkusiak P., Storkerson P., the head of Minto Inl., the head of Prince Albert S., Read I., Tahiryuaq, Ulukhaktok (Porsild obs.) and northwestern Wollaston P. (Porsild obs.) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Berkeley Pt.: Stretton 88 (
Key to Anthoxanthum [adapted from
1 | Staminate lemmas awned, the awns of the upper staminate florets 4.5–10.5 mm; plants densely to loosely tufted, with rhizomes rarely more than 2 cm (A. monticola) | 2 |
– | Staminate lemmas unawned or with an awn no more than 1 mm; plants long-rhizomatous | 3 |
2 | Awns of the upper staminate florets 5–10.5 mm, attached from near the base to about midlength; awn usually strongly geniculate, the lower portion usually twisted, with 2–4 gyres | A. monticola subsp. alpinum |
– | Awns of the upper staminate florets 4.5–7 mm, attached at or above midlength, not or only weakly geniculate, the lower portion not twisted or twisted with 1–2 gyres | A. monticola subsp. monticola |
3 | Panicles spikelike, 1–3(–4.5) × 0.3–0.5 cm, with 1–2 spikelets per branch; rhizomes 0.3–1 mm thick | A. arcticum |
– | Panicles open, pyramidal, (2–)4–9(–12.5) × (1.5–)2–5(–7) cm, the longer branches usually with 3 or more spikelets; rhizomes 0.7–2 mm thick | A. nitens |
Anthoxanthum arcticum
Veldkamp (Hierochloe pauciflora R.Br.), Figs
Previously known from Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl., the head of Prince Albert S., Wollaston P. (Porsild obs.), Storkerson P., Ulukhaktok (Porsild obs., conf.), and just north of Collinson P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9655 (CAN, O). Kuujjua R.: Edlund 548 (CAN,
Anthoxanthum monticola
subsp. alpinum (Sw. ex Willd.) Soreng (Hierochloe alpina (Sw.) Roem. & Schult.), Fig.
This acidophile was previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Ulukhaktok and a site on south-central Victoria I. (
NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Consaul & Gillespie 1135 (CAN). Ferguson L. [Tahiryuaq]: Hainault 1953 (
Anthoxanthum monticola
(Bigelow) Veldkamp subsp. monticola (A. monticola subsp. orthanthum (T.J.Sørensen) G.C.Tucker, Hierochloë orthantha T.J.Sørensen), Fig.
Newly recorded for Victoria I., and the first record for the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The taxon was collected twice in the vicinity of Ferguson L. in 2014. At one site it was growing in dry Dryas integrifolia–Carex rupestris–Cassiope tetragona dominated tundra over limestone morainal till modified with marble and some granite, associated with Salix arctica, Carex vaginata, C. fuliginosa subsp. misandra, Pedicularis capitata, and Vaccinium uliginosum. At the other site it was growing in a nutrient enriched crevice of a marbled limestone ridge, with Saxifraga tricuspidata, Potentilla, Luzula confusa, Carex rupestris, Sabulina rubella, and Draba cinerea. This is a northeastern North American taxon that, aside from the collection reported here, which is a considerable range extension, reaches the eastern side of Hudson Bay (
NUNAVUT. Ferguson L. [Tahiryuaq]: Bennett et al. 14-0410 (CAN), 14-0415 (BABY, chars,
Anthoxanthum nitens
(Weber) Y.Schouten & Veldkamp subsp. nitens (Hierochloe odorata (L.) Wahlenb.), Fig.
Recorded from Ulukhaktok by
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Porsild 17240 (CAN).
Arctagrostis latifolia
(R.Br.) Griseb. subsp. latifolia, Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Greely Haven, the head of Minto Inl., N of a large lake in the Ekalluk River system about 90 km NNE of Cambridge Bay, Prince Albert S., Tahoe L., Ulukhaktok and Walker B. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9550 (
Arctophila fulva
(Trin.) Andersson (Colpodium fulvum (Trin.) Griseb.), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L., Kuujjua R., the head of Prince Albert S., Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. SE of Armstrong Pt.: Edlund 588 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Dutilly 18805 (CAN,
Bromus pumpellianus
Scribn., Fig.
Newly recorded for Victoria I., based on a collection from “Long L.” gathered in 1964. This record was not mentioned in subsequent treatments.
NUNAVUT. “Long L.”: Lambert s.n. (CAN) (Suppl. material
Key to Calamagrostis [adapted from
1 | Spikelets (4.5–)5.5–6.5(–8) mm; awns (4.5–)6–7(–9) mm, usually exserted beyond the margins of the glumes; callus 0.2–0.4(–0.6)× as long as the lemmas; leaf blade adaxial surface usually densely long-hairy, rarely sparsely hairy | C. purpurascens |
– | Spikelets 2–2.5(–3) mm; awns 1.5–2.5 mm, equaling or exserted slightly beyond the margins of the glumes; callus hairs (0.5–)0.7–0.9× as long as the lemmas; leaf blade adaxial surface usually scabrous, rarely smooth, sometimes puberulent | C. stricta subsp. groenlandica |
Calamagrostis purpurascens
R.Br. subsp. purpurascens, Figs
Previously recorded from the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9543a (
Calamagrostis stricta
subsp. groenlandica (Schrank) Á.Löve (C. neglecta subsp. groenlandica (Schrank) Matuszk., C. stricta subsp. stricta s.l.), Figs
Not recorded from Victoria I. by
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9908 (CAN, O). NUNAVUT. Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 8052 (
Key to Deschampsia [adapted from
1 | Panicles usually dense, oblong-ovate to narrowly cylindrical, branches usually stiff, erect to ascending, straight; spikelets strongly imbricate, often rather densely clustered on the ends of the branches, sometimes evenly distributed on the branches; glumes and lemmas usually dark purple proximally for over more than 1/2 their surface | D. brevifolia |
– | Panicles usually open and pyramidal, sometimes closed and ovate; branches spreading, divergent or reflexed; spikelets usually not or only moderately imbricate, not in dense clusters at the ends of the branches; glumes and lemmas usually dark purple proximally over less than 1/2 their surface | 2 |
2 | Branches flexuous; basal blades with 3–5 ribs; all blades of the current year usually strongly involute and hairlike, 0.3–0.5(–0.8) in diameter; panicles 3.5–17 ×1.5–9 cm | D. sukatschewii |
– | Branches usually strongly divergent, sometimes strongly ascending, straight to slightly flexuous; usually at least some blades flat and 1–4 mm wide, the majority folded or rolled and 0.5–1 mm in diameter; panicles 8–30 × 4–30 cm | D. cespitosa |
Deschampsia brevifolia
R.Br. (D. cespitosa subsp. brevifolia (Griseb.) Tzvelev, nom. illeg., D. cespitosa subsp. septentrionalis Chiapella), Figs
Previously recorded from Minto Inl., Natkusiak P., Namaycush L. and Collinson P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Burns L. (S): Edlund 64, 565 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9856 (
Deschampsia cespitosa
(L.) P. Beauv. subsp. cespitosa, Fig.
Newly recorded for Victoria I. and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The specimen was gathered at the NW end of Washburn L., growing in Dryas tundra on silty clay terraces.
NUNAVUT. Washburn L.: Edlund & Argus 12796 (CAN).
Deschampsia sukatschewii
(Popl.) Roshev. (D. pumila (Griseb.) Ostenf., nom. illeg.), Figs
Species distribution maps. Poaceae: A Deschampsia sukatschewii B Dupontia fisheri C Elymus alaskanus subsp. alaskanus D Elymus alaskanus subsp. hyperarcticus E Festuca baffinensis F Festuca brachyphylla subsp. brachyphylla G Festuca hyperborea H Festuca rubra subsp. arctica I Festuca rubra subsp. rubra J Leymus mollis subsp. villosissimus K Lolium perenne L Phippsia algida.
A Deschampsia sukatschewii habitat, Gillespie et al. 9903 B Elymus alaskanus subsp. alaskanus habit, Gillespie et al. 9718 C Elymus alaskanus subsp. hyperarcticus habit, Minto Inlet, NT, 23 July 2010 D Festuca baffinensis habit E Festuca hyperborea habit, Gillespie et al. 9863 F Festuca hyperborea habitat, Gillespie et al. 9863. Photos A–C, E, F by J.M. Saarela and D by B.A. Bennett.
Newly recorded for Victoria I. where known from a single collection. We collected the taxon along the base of cliffs on the south shore of “Fish L.” on the lower Kuujjua R., where it grew in a hummocky, moderately well-drained meadow. Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago recorded from Banks, Baffin, Devon, Ellesmere, Prince Charles and Prince Patrick islands and a few mainland sites (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9903 (
Dupontia fisheri
R.Br. (D. fisheri subsp. psilosantha (Rupr.) Hultén), Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, the head of Prince Albert S., Richard Collinson Inl., Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9642 (
Key to Elymus [adapted from
1 | Glumes and lemmas glabrous, scabrous or sparsely hairy, hairs to about 0.2 mm | E. alaskanus subsp. alaskanus |
– | Glumes and lemmas densely hairy, hairs 0.2–0.5 mm | E. alaskanus subsp. hyperarcticus |
Elymus alaskanus
(Scribn. & Merr.) Á.Löve subsp. alaskanus (Agropyron alaskanum Scribn. & Merrill, A. violaceum (Hornem.) Lange pro parte, A. latiglume (Scribn. & Sm.) Rydb. pro parte, E. violaceus (Hornem.) Feilberg pro parte), Figs
Previously recorded from the head of Minto Inl., Wollaston P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl. Dutilly 18711 (CAN,
Elymus alaskanus
subsp. hyperarcticus (Polunin) Á.Löve & D.Löve (Agropyron violaceum var. hyperarcticum Polunin), Figs
Previously recorded from Walker B. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9538 (
Key to Festuca [adapted from
1 | Plants rhizomatous (F. rubra) | 2 |
– | Plants cespitose, rhizomes lacking | 3 |
2 | Lemmas usually moderately to densely pilose, rarely glabrous, (4–)4.5–6(–6.5) mm; awns (0.2–)0.5–1.6(–2.5) mm; inflorescences (2–)3.5–7 cm, usually congested, sometimes open, branches scabrous or pilose | F. rubra subsp. arctica |
– | Lemmas usually glabrous, sometimes pubescent, (4–)6–7.5(–8) mm; awns 0.6–3.2(–4) mm; inflorescences 7–12 cm, open, branches scabrous | F. rubra subsp. rubra |
3 | Culms densely pubescent or pilose below the inflorescences; anthers 0.3–0.7(–1.1) mm; ovary apex with a few sparse hairs | F. baffinensis |
– | Culms usually glabrous and smooth below the inflorescences, occasionally slightly scabrous or sparsely puberulent; anthers (0.3–)0.4–1.3 mm; ovary apex glabrous | 4 |
4 | Inflorescences 1.5–4(–5.5) cm; flag leaf sheaths not inflated; flag leaf blades (3–)10–30 mm; leaf blades often curved or somewhat falcate; upper glume 2.9–4.6 mm, lanceolate; lemmas 3–5.2 mm | F. brachyphylla |
– | Inflorescences 1–2(–2.5) cm; flag leaf sheaths usually somewhat inflated; flag leaf blades 2–5(–8) mm; leaf blades usually straight; upper glume 2.2–3.2 mm, obovate; lemmas 2.9–4 mm | F. hyperborea |
Festuca baffinensis
Polunin, Fig.
Previously recorded from south of Burns L., Cambridge Bay, C. Colborne, the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Mt. Pelly, Namaycush L., Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18708 (
Festuca brachyphylla
Schult. & Schult.f. subsp. brachyphylla, Fig.
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl., the head of Prince Albert S. (Porsild obs.), Read I. (Porsild obs.), and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9750 (
Festuca hyperborea
Holmen ex Fred., Figs
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Edlund 678 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9863 (ari, CAN, MT, O,
Festuca rubra
subsp. arctica (Hack.) Govor. (F. richardsonii Hook., F. rubra subsp. richardsonii (Hook.) Hultén), Figs
A Festuca rubra subsp. arctica habitat, Gillespie et al. 9913 B Leymus mollis subsp. villosissimus habit, Gillespie et al. 8098 C Lolium perenne habit, Saarela & Teeter 9674 D Pleuropogon sabinei habit (left) and habitat (right), Gillespie et al. 9865. Photos A, C, D by J.M. Saarela and B by R.D. Bull.
Previously recorded from the head of Prince Albert S. and Ulukhaktok, as F. rubra var. arenaria (Osbeck) Fr. (a non-Arctic taxon) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9653 (
Festuca rubra
L. subsp. rubra, Fig.
Newly recorded for Victoria I. from Cambridge Bay, where found in 2017 growing in highly disturbed ground in the community with Descurainia sophioides, Poa pratensis subsp. pratensis and Lolium perenne; the three grasses were almost certainly seeded. Persistence of the species at the site beyond 2017 requires confirmation. Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic known from a few other sites, including Iqaluit and Clyde R. on Baffin I., Eglinton I. (needs confirmation) and scattered mainland sites (
NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Saarela & Teeter 5297 (CAN).
Leymus mollis
subsp. villosissimus (Scribn.) Á.Löve & D.Löve (Elymus arenarius subsp. villosissimus (Scribn.) Á.Löve), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay (Porsild obs., conf.), the head of Minto Inl., the north side of Prince Albert S., Read I. (Porsild obs., conf.) and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Berkeley Pt.: Stretton 87 (
Lolium perenne
L., Figs
Newly recorded from Cambridge Bay, where found in 2017 growing in highly disturbed ground in the community with Descurainia sophioides, Festuca rubra subsp. rubra and Poa pratensis subsp. pratensis; the three grasses were almost certainly seeded. Persistence of the species at the site beyond 2017 requires confirmation. Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago known only from Iqaluit, where it was seeded (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Cambridge Bay: Saarela & Teeter 5294 (CAN)
Phippsia algida
(Sol.) R.Br., Fig.
Previously recorded from the head of Minto Inl., Namaycush L., the head of Prince Albert S., Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9895 (
Pleuropogon sabinei
R.Br., Figs
Species distribution maps. Poaceae: A Pleuropogon sabinei B Poa abbreviata subsp. abbreviata C Poa arctica subsp. arctica D Poa arctica subsp. caespitans E Poa glauca subsp. glauca F Poa hartzii subsp. hartzii G Poa pratensis subsp. alpigena H Poa pratensis subsp. colpodea I Poa pratensis subsp. pratensis J Puccinellia andersonii K Puccinellia angustata L Puccinellia arctica.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L. near the mouth of Ekalluk R., the head of Minto Inl. and a site (“Jackpot L.”) 60 miles east thereof, Richard Collinson Inl. and Storkerson P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. SE of Armstrong Pt.: Edlund 587 (CAN). Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9674 (CAN,
Key to Poa [adapted from
1 | Plants rhizomatous | 2 |
– | Plants cespitose, lacking rhizomes | 5 |
2 | Lemmas 3–6 mm, short-villous to softly puberulent between veins proximally; paleas softly puberulent between keels; spikelets (3.5–)4.5–8 mm; panicles ovoid to broadly pyramidal, usually open | P. arctica subsp. arctica |
– | Lemmas 2.5–4.3 mm, glabrous between veins; paleas glabrous between keels; spikelets 4–5.5 mm [3.5–6(–7) mm in subsp. pratensis]; panicles narrowly pyramidal or contracted [broadly pyramidal, open or somewhat contracted in subsp. pratensis] (Poa pratensis) | 3 |
3 | At least some spikelets bulbiferous | P. pratensis subsp. colpodea |
– | Spikelets not bulbiferous | 4 |
4 | Panicle branches smooth or almost smooth; panicles with (1–)2–5(–7) branches per node, branches steeply ascending to eventually spreading or somewhat reflexed; plants usually loosely, sometimes moderately, tufted, culms usually solitary | P. pratensis subsp. alpigena |
– | Panicles branches more or less scabrous; panicles with 3–5(–7) branches per node, branches spreading to somewhat reflexed; plants densely to loosely tufted, often forming turf, culms clustered | P. pratensis subsp. pratensis |
5 | Anthers all well developed, 0.1–1(–1.2) mm | P. abbreviata subsp. abbreviata |
– | Anthers well developed or aborted, (1–)1.2–2.5 mm, sometimes aborted anthers shorter | 6 |
6 | Sheaths closed for (1/5)1/3 their length; panicles lax to erect, pyramidal, open; branches ascending or widely spreading, sinuous and flexuous to fairly straight | P. arctica subsp. caespitans |
– | Sheaths closed for 1/10–1/5 their length; panicles erect, narrowly lanceoloid to ovoid, contracted to somewhat open; branches erect, ascending or weakly spreading, straight or fairly straight | 7 |
7 | Plants usually glaucous; glume keels distinct; lemmas 2.5–4 mm, distinctly keeled, keels and marginal veins short-villous, lateral veins obscure, usually sparsely softly puberulent to short-villous, intercostal regions glabrous or puberulent, margins not scarious; calluses glabrous or webbed, webs from minute to more than 1/2 the lemma length; culm bases straight or slightly decumbent; anthers fertile, rarely aborted late in development | P. glauca subsp. glauca |
– | Plants not glaucous; glume keels indistinct; lemmas (3.3–)3.9–5.4 mm, usually weakly keeled, more or less evenly and somewhat loosely to densely hairy over the proximal 1/3–1/2, hairs usually longer than 0.5 mm, smooth distally, margins broadly scarious; calluses usually with a crown of hairs, hairs to 2 mm; culm bases decumbent; anthers usually aborted late in development and sterile | P. hartzii subsp. hartzii |
Poa abbreviata R.Br. subsp. abbreviata, Figs
A Poa abbreviata subsp. abbreviata habit (left) and inflorescence (right), Gillespie et al. 9865 B Poa arctica subsp. arctica inflorescence (left) and habit (right) C Poa glauca subsp. glauca habit, Gillespie et al. 10079 D Poa hartzii subsp. hartzii habit, Gillespie et al. 10078 E Puccinellia arctica inflorescence, Gillespie et al. 9660 F Puccinellia arctica habitat, Gillespie et al. 9660. Photos A, E, F by J.M. Saarela B by B.A. Bennett and C, D by L.J. Gillespie.
Previously recorded from Collinson P., the head of Minto Inl., Namaycush L., Natkusiak P., Peel Pt., Storkerson P., Ulukhaktok, an unnamed lake ca. 60 mi. N of Cambridge Bay and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9980 (
Poa arctica
R.Br. subsp. arctica, Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, the head of Prince Albert S. (Porsild obs.), Kuujjua R., Storkerson P., Ulukhaktok and northwestern Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Edlund 580 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9543b (
Poa arctica
subsp. caespitans Simmons ex Nannf., Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9906 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Edlund 812 (CAN), Saarela & Bull 1430 (
Poa glauca
Vahl subsp. glauca, Figs
Previously recorded from Anderson B., south of Burns L., Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Namaycush L., the north side of Prince Albert S., Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18707 (
Poa hartzii
Gand. subsp. hartzii, Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., Namaycush L., Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10078 (CAN, O), 10245 (CAN), 10299 (CAN, O,
Poa pratensis
subsp. alpigena (Lindm.) Hiitonen (P. alpigena Lindm.), Fig.
Previously recorded from south of Burns L., Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl., southeast of the head of Prince Albert S. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Burns L. (S): Edlund 566, 62a (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Dutilly 18806 (
Poa pratensis
subsp. colpodea (Th.Fr.) Tzvelev (P. alpigena var. colpodea (Th.Fr.) Schol.), Fig.
NUNAVUT. Greiner L.: Ponomarenko VI-297 (CAN). Namaycush L.: Edlund 29 (CAN). Storkerson P.: Edlund 207, 245 (CAN). Washburn L.: Edlund & Argus 12794 (CAN).
Poa pratensis
L. subsp. pratensis, Fig.
Newly recorded from Cambridge Bay, the first record for Victoria I. and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. This non-native taxon was found growing in highly disturbed ground in the hamlet in 2017 with Descurainia sophioides, Festuca rubra subsp. rubra and Lolium perenne; the three grasses were almost certainly seeded. Persistence of the species at the site beyond 2017 requires confirmation.
NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Saarela & Teeter 5299 (CAN).
Key to Puccinellia [adapted from
1 | Plants stoloniferous perennials, forming low, often extensive mats; most plants lacking inflorescences, the spikelets, when present, usually not producing mature pollen or caryopses | P. phryganodes subsp. neoarctica |
– | Plants annual, biennial, or cespitose perennials, sometimes stoloniferous but not mat-forming; plants reproducing sexually, forming mature pollen and caryopses | 2 |
2 | Palea veins with curly, intertwined hairs proximally, scabrous distally | 3 |
– | Palea veins glabrous, shortly ciliate or with fewer than five longer hairs proximally, never with curly intertwined hairs, scabrous or smooth distally | 5 |
3 | Pedicels smooth; apical margins of the lemmas smooth, veins obscure or distinct | P. vahliana |
– | Pedicels scabrous; apical margins of the lemmas scabrous, sometimes minutely so, veins obscure | 4 |
4 | Lemmas 3.5–5.2 mm; panicles (4–)5–13 cm; rachilla between first and second lemma 1–1.7 mm | P. angustata |
– | Lemmas 2.8–3.8 mm; panicles 1–4 cm; rachilla between first and second lemma 0.8–1.3 mm | P. bruggemannii |
5 | Lemma margins smooth or with a few scabrules at and near the apices | 6 |
– | Lemma margins densely scabrous at and near the apices | 8 |
6 | Lemmas 2–2.5 mm, usually purple with whitish margins, veins distinct, apices obtuse to truncate; lemmas and palea veins smooth and glabrous; pedicels smooth | P. tenella |
– | Lemmas 2.4–4.6 mm, variously coloured, margins not white, veins obscure to distinct, apices acute to truncate; lemmas and palea veins glabrous or hairy on the lower portion, often scabrous distally; pedicels smooth or scabrous | 7 |
7 | Panicles with (2)3–5 branches at the lowest node; lemmas 2.5–3.7 mm, veins obscure to distinct, apices entire or slightly erose; anthers (0.9–)1.2–2.2 mm | P. arctica |
– | Panicles usually with 2 branches at the lowest node; lemmas 3–4.5 mm, veins obscure, apices irregularly serrate or erose; anthers 0.8–1.2 mm | P. andersonii |
8 | Anthers 1.2–2.2 mm | P. arctica |
– | Anthers 0.4–1.2 mm | 9 |
9 | Lemmas 2.8–4 mm; panicles usually barely exserted from the sheaths | P. vaginata |
– | Lemmas 1.7–2.8 mm; panicles usually distinctly exserted from the sheaths | 10 |
10 | Plants 50–80 cm tall; panicles 11–25 cm, diffuse, branches lax; lemmas 2–2.8 mm | P. nuttalliana |
– | Plants 5–20 cm tall; panicles 2–8 cm, slender, branches usually erect; lemmas 1.7–2.3 mm | P. banksiensis |
Puccinellia andersonii
Swallen, Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18717 (
Puccinellia angustata
E.L.Rand & Redfield, Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl. and Storkerson P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9656 (CAN,
Puccinellia arctica
(Hook.) Fernald & Weath. (P. agrostidea T.J.Sørensen, P. poacea T.J.Sørensen), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Collinson P. and Namaycush L. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9635, 9646 (CAN,
Puccinellia banksiensis
Consaul, Fig.
Known from six localities discovered in 2008 along southern Victoria I. in the vicinities of Johansen Bay, Oterkvik Pt. and Sinclair Cr.; see details in
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 8055, 8077, 8146, 8055-2 (CAN). Oterkvik Pt.: Gillespie et al. 7549 (CAN). Sinclair Cr.: Gillespie et al. 8261 (
Puccinellia bruggemannii
T.J.Sørensen, Fig.
Previously recorded from Albert Edward B., Hadley B. and Storkerson P. (
NUNAVUT. Albert Edward B.: Edlund & Argus 12743 (CAN). Hadley B.: Edlund 329 (CAN). Storkerson P.: Edlund 195, 214, 227 (CAN).
Puccinellia nuttalliana
(Schult.) Hitchc. (P. borealis Swallen, P. deschampsioides T.J.Sørensen, P. interior T.J.Sørensen), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Edlund 807, 874, 877, 879 (CAN,
Puccinellia phryganodes
subsp. neoarctica (Á.Löve & D.Löve) Elven, Figs
Reported by
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9644a (CAN,
Puccinellia tenella
subsp. langeana (Berlin) Tzvelev, Fig.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9648, 9644b (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9975 (CAN,
Puccinellia vaginata
(Lange) Fernald & Welsh, Fig.
Previously recorded from the head of Prince Albert S. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9647, 9649 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10244, 10273 (CAN,
Puccinellia vahliana
(Liebm.) Scribn. & Merr (Colpodium vahlianum (Liebm.) Nevski), Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Hadley B. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Natkusiak P.: Edlund 95, 96, 97 (CAN). “Oldenburg L.”: Oldenburg 45-1367 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Porsild 17244 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Edlund & Argus 12881 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 8444 (CAN, O), 8467 (CAN), Polunin s.n. (CAN), Stephens 1073 (CAN). Hadley B.: Edlund 317, 375 (CAN). Storkerson P.: Edlund 206, 278 (CAN).
Trisetum spicatum
(L.) K.Richt., Figs
Previously recorded from south of Burns L., Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Namaycush L., southeast of the head of Prince Albert S., Read I., Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Edlund 575 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9539 (
Ranunculales
Ranunculaceae [6/13]
Key to Ranunculaceae:
1 | Fruit a follicle; ovules 15–35 per pistil | Caltha palustris |
– | Fruit an achene; ovules 1 per pistil | 2 |
2 | Inflorescences with 1 or more pairs (opposite) or whorls of involucral bracts, these leaf-like or calyx-like | 3 |
– | Inflorescences without involucral bracts | 5 |
3 | Achene beak 20 mm or more, plumose | Pulsatilla nuttalliana |
– | Achene beak 6 mm or less, glabrous or pubescent, not plumose | 4 |
4 | Basal leaves simple, segments primarily 3, lateral segments unlobed or 1×-lobed; sepals yellow; achenes ovoid to oblong, 3–4 mm, glabrous, beak recurved, 4–6 mm | Anemonastrum richardsonii |
– | Basal leaves ternate; sepals white or tinged blue; achenes obovoid, 2–2.5 mm, densely woolly, beak straight, 1–2.2 mm | Anemone parviflora |
5 | Leaves unlobed; plants stoloniferous; achenes with a distinct longitudinal vein or veins on lateral faces | Halerpestes cymbalaria |
– | Leaves deeply lobed; plants tufted or with creeping leafy stems; achenes without distinct longitudinal veins on lateral faces | Ranunculus |
Anemone parviflora
Michx., Figs
Species distribution maps. Ranunculaceae: A Anemone parviflora B Caltha palustris subsp. radicans C Halerpestes cymbalaria D Pulsatilla nuttalliana E Ranunculus arcticus F Ranunculus codyanus G Ranunculus gmelinii subsp. gmelinii H Ranunculus hyperboreus subsp. hyperboreus I Ranunculus nivalis J Ranunculus pygmaeus K Ranunculus sabinei L Ranunculus sulphureus.
A Anemone parviflora habit Gillespie et al. 9644 B Caltha palustris subsp. radicans habit C Caltha palustris subsp. radicans inflorescences D Ranunculus arcticus habit E Ranunculus hyperboreus subsp. hyperboreus habit F Ranunculus gmelinii subsp. gmelinii habit G Ranunculus nivalis habit. Photos A by R.D. Bull and B–G by B.A. Bennett.
Previously recorded from Boot Inl., south of Burns L., Cambridge Bay (known only from Augustus Hills and the hills above Long Point), the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Pelly, south side of Prince Albert S., Wollaston P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Edlund 581 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9597 (CAN, O), 9620 (
Anemonastrum richardsonii (Hook.) Mosyakin (Anemone richardsonii Hook.)–Richardson’s anemone | Asian (NE)–amphi-Beringian–North American (N)
Previously reported from the “south coast” of Victoria I., gathered by Rae in 1851.
NUNAVUT. South coast: Rae s.n. (K, det. A.E. Porsild).
Caltha palustris
subsp. radicans (T.F.Forst.) Hook., Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L., the head of Minto Inl. (Porsild obs.), Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (Porsild obs.) (
NUNAVUT. “30-Mile Cr.”: Bennett et al. 14-0364 (BABY,
Halerpestes cymbalaria
(Pursh) Greene (Cyrtorhyncha cymbalaria (Pursh) Britton, Ranunculus cymbalaria Pursh), Fig.
Previously recorded only from Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Edlund 290 (CAN), Porsild 17288 (CAN). Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 8005 (
Pulsatilla nuttalliana
(DC.) Berchtold ex J.Presl (Anemone patens subsp. multifida Hultén), Fig.
Known on Victoria I. only from “Long L.” (
NUNAVUT. “Long L.”: Lambert s.n. (CAN) (Suppl. material
Key to Ranunculus [adapted from
1 | Plants aquatic or amphibious; leafy stems creeping and rooting at nodes or floating in water, then rootless | 2 |
– | Plants terrestrial or paludal; leafy stems erect or if decumbent rooting only at base, never floating | 4 |
2 | Plants aquatic; stems floating; leaves filiform-dissected; petals white with small yellow claw; achenes with strong, coarse wrinkles | R. codyanus |
– | Plants amphibious; stems creeping or floating; leaves lobed, divided or dissected, but never filiform-dissected; petals yellow; achenes smooth | 3 |
3 | Leaf blades reniform to broadly flabellate, 0.3–1.2 cm, deeply 3-lobed or -parted, lobes undivided or lateral lobes cleft, terminal segment entire or distally crenulate; receptacle glabrous; petals 2–4 × 1–3 mm; nectary-scale a low crescent-shaped ridge surrounding nectary, nectary on petal surface; styles 0.1–0.2 mm | R. hyperboreus |
– | Leaf blades reniform to circular, 0.6–6.5 cm, 3-parted, segments again 1–3×-lobed to -dissected; receptacle sparsely hispid; petals 3–7 × 2–5 mm; nectary-scale a free flap, crescent-shaped, funnel-shaped, or flaplike, nectary on surface of flap; styles 0.2–0.4 mm | R. gmelinii |
4 | Abaxial surface of sepals with dense brown pubescence | 5 |
– | Abaxial surface of sepals glabrous or with colorless hairs | 6 |
5 | Receptacle glabrous; basal leaf blades 3-parted, at least lateral segments again lobed or with toothed margins | R. nivalis |
– | Receptacle brown-pilose; basal leaf blades usually shallowly lobed, or unlobed with crenate margins | R. sulphureus |
6 | Petals 7–15 mm; leaf blades pedately (5–)7(–9)-parted or -divided, segments undivided or again lobed or parted; flowering stems 6–33(–45) cm | R. arcticus |
– | Petals 1–8 mm; leaf blades 3-lobed or -divided, segments undivided or again lobed; flowering stems 0.6–12 cm | 7 |
7 | Petals 1.2–3.5 × 1.1–2.8 mm; sepals 2–4 × 1.2–1.6 mm; pedicels glabrous or pubescent; flowering stems 0.6–3.5 cm (sometimes longer in fruit); leaf blades 0.45–0.9 × 0.6–1.3 cm; heads of achenes nearly globose to cylindric, 2.5–7 × 2.5–5 mm | R. pygmaeus |
– | Petals 5–8 × 3–4 mm; sepals 4–7 × 2–3 mm; pedicels pilose; flowering stems 1–12 cm; leaf blades 0.9–3 × 0.8–3.4 cm; heads of achenes cylindric, 6–9 × 4 mm | R. sabinei |
Ranunculus arcticus
Richardson (R. pedatifidus var. affinis (R.Br.) L.D.Benson, R. pedatifidus var. leiocarpus (Trautv.) Fernald), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, south of Burns L., C. Colborne, the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Mt. Pelly, the head and southeast of the head of Prince Albert S., Richard Collinson Inl., Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Burns L. (S): Edlund 53, 559 (CAN). C. Wollaston: Edlund 55 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9876 (CAN, O), 9926 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 50 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10112 (
Ranunculus codyanus
B.Boivin, Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Edlund 510, 817 (CAN), 820 (CAN,
Ranunculus gmelinii
DC. subsp. gmelinii, Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L., Namaycush L., the head of Prince Albert S. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9875 (CAN). Prince Albert S. (head): Porsild 17440 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Edlund 760, 830 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Oldenburg 44-948B (CAN), Porsild 21617 (CAN), Stephens 1099 (CAN,
Ranunculus hyperboreus
Rottb. subsp. hyperboreus, Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Lady Pelly and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Minto Inl. (head): Porsild 17390 (CAN). Mt. Lady Pelly [Amaaqtuq]: Jones & Hainault s.n. (
Ranunculus nivalis
L., Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl., Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9611 (CAN, O). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9757, 9999 (CAN), 9816 (
Ranunculus pygmaeus
Wahlenb., Fig.
Previously recorded from Boot Inl. (Edlund 586, CAN, voucher not located), Cambridge Bay, Ulukhaktok and an unnamed lake ca. 60 mi. N of Cambridge Bay (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9974 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Edlund 805, 836 (CAN). NUNAVUT. “30-Mile Cr.”: Bennett et al. 14-0334 (BABY). Cambridge Bay: Bennett et al. 13-0307 (
Ranunculus sabinei
R.Br., Fig.
Previously recorded only from Peel Pt. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Burns L. (S): Edlund 558 (CAN). Natkusiak P.: Edlund 102 (CAN). Peel Pt.: Edlund 427 (CAN). Storkerson P.: Edlund 191 (CAN).
Ranunculus sulphureus
Sol., Fig.
Known only from Storkerson P. (
NUNAVUT. Storkerson P.: Edlund 168, 247 (CAN).
Papaver L. [4]
Taxonomy is based on a revision of Arctic island material of Papaver proposed by
Papaver cornwallisense
D.Löve, Fig.
A collection (P. Jenness 22) mapped from Richard Collinson Inl. in
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9636 (
Papaver dahlianum
Nordh. (P. radicatum subsp. polare Tolm., P. dahlianum subsp. polare (Tolm.) Elven), Fig.
Recorded from Boot Inl., Cambridge Bay, Greiner L., Kuujjua R., Oterkvik Pt., Richard Collinson Inl., Storkerson Pen. and Ulukhaktok.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9694 (CAN), 9708b (ari, CAN, MT, O). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9846, 9962 (
Papaver hultenii
Knaben, Figs
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9524a, 9693 (CAN). C. Wollaston: Edlund 48 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9828 (
Papaver lapponicum
(Tolm.) Nordh., Fig.
Recorded from Boot Inl., Cambridge Bay, Kuujjua R., and the head of Prince Albert S. Subspecies (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9524b, 9708a (CAN), 9573 (ari, CAN, O). Kuujjua R.: Edlund 626 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Gillespie et al. 8482 (AKUR, CAN, O), Stephens 1203 (CAN,
Saxifragaceae [3/15]
Key to genera of Saxifragaceae [adapted from
1 | Sepals 4; petals absent; stamens 2–8, usually 4 or 8 | Chrysosplenium |
– | Sepals 5; petals present; stamens 10 | 2 |
2 | Flowering stems naked | Micranthes |
– | Flowering stems leafy | Saxifraga |
Key to Chrysosplenium [adapted from
1 | Sepals ± equal, usually erect, sometimes spreading; stamens (3–)4, 0.3–0.4 mm; styles 0.2–0.3 mm; seeds 0.5–0.8 mm | C. tetrandrum |
– | Sepals unequal, outer pair broader, spreading; stamens 5–8, 0.5–0.8 mm; styles 0.3–0.4(–0.5) mm; seeds 0.8–1.1. mm | C. rosendahlii |
Chrysosplenium rosendahlii
Packer, Figs
Species distribution maps. Saxifragaceae: A Chrysosplenium rosendahlii B Chrysosplenium tetrandrum C Micranthes foliolosa D Micranthes hieraciifolia E Micranthes nivalis F Micranthes tenuis G Saxifraga aizoides H Saxifraga cernua I Saxifraga cespitosa J Saxifraga flagellaris subsp. platysepala K Saxifraga hirculus L Saxifraga hyperborea.
A Chrysosplenium rosendahlii habitat (left) and habit (right), Gillespie et al. 9753 B Micranthes nivalis habit, Gillespie et al. 9995 C Saxifraga aizoides habit, Boot Inlet, NT, 12 July 2010 D Saxifraga hirculus habit, Kuujjua River, NT, 18 July 2010 E Saxifraga oppositifolia habit, Gillespie et al. 9682 F Saxifraga tricuspidata habit, Kuujjua River, NT, 18 July 2010 G Myriophyllum sibiricum habit, Johansen Bay, NU, 18 July 2008. Photos A by L.J. Gillespie B, D–G by R.D. Bull and C by P.C. Sokoloff.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. “Jackpot L.”: Porsild 17503 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9753 (
Chrysosplenium tetrandrum
Th.Fr., Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok. Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic recorded from Baffin, Banks, Bylot, Coats, Cornwallis, Devon, Digges, Eglinton, southern Ellesmere, Igloolik, King William, Melville, Prince of Wales, Somerset and Southampton islands, and across the mainland (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 178 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10142 (
Key to Micranthes [adapted from
1 | Inflorescences with all or some flowers replaced with bulbils; basal leaves oblanceolate | M. foliolosa |
– | Inflorescences without bulbils; basal leaves elliptic, oblong, obovate or ovate | 2 |
2 | Inflorescences constricted, spikelike thyrses, (2–)3–10 cm; ovary 1/2+ inferior | M. hieraciifolia |
– | Inflorescences congested, capitate thyrses or ± capitate cymes, 0.5–2(–4) cm; ovary 1/2 inferior, appearing more superior in fruit | 3 |
3 | Inflorescence one to several dense head-like clusters of numerous flowers; petals white or essentially so (sometimes becoming pink with age); flowering stem (0.5–)1–2.5 mm wide, moderately to densely hairy, with conspicuous long coarse white hairs; plant usually robust in appearance | M. nivalis |
– | Inflorescence an open cyme of fewer flowers, flowers on distinct pedicels; petals pink or less often white; flowering stem 0.3–1 mm wide, usually sparsely hairy, with short fine hairs that are usually inconspicuous; plant delicate in appearance | M. tenuis |
Micranthes foliolosa
(R.Br.) Gornall (Saxifraga foliolosa R.Br.), Fig.
Previously recorded from Hadley B., Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Porsild 17307 (
Micranthes hieraciifolia
(Waldst. & Kit. ex Willd.) Haw. (Saxifraga hieraciifolia Waldst. & Kit. ex Willd.), Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay (
NUNAVUT. “30-Mile Cr.”: Bennett et al. 14-0350 (CAN,
Micranthes nivalis
(L.) Small (Saxifraga nivalis L.), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, C. Colborne, Collinson P., Ulukhaktok, the head of Minto Inl., Hadley B., Natkusiak P., Storkerson P. and Richard Collinson Inl. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9845, 9995 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 594 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10054 (CAN). Natkusiak P.: Edlund 104 (CAN). Prince Albert P.: Oldenburg 54-688 (
Micranthes tenuis
(Wahlenb.) Small, Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9896, 9951 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10163, 10286 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Edlund 719, 875 (CAN).
Key to Saxifraga [adapted from
1 | Leaves opposite, imbricated; plants low, mat-forming and trailing; flowers pink-purple | S. oppositifolia |
– | Leaves alternate; plants tufted, cespitose or sometimes mat-forming; flowers white, purplish-white or yellow | 2 |
2 | Basal leaves entire; petals yellow | 3 |
– | Basal leaves toothed or lobed; petals white or purplish-white | 5 |
3 | Plants stoloniferous, reddish; inflorescences with purplish-tipped stipitate glands; petals not spotted | S. flagellaris subsp. platysepala |
3 | Plants not stoloniferous (or rarely with very short stolons), green; inflorescences glabrous or clear-tipped stipitate-glandular or reddish-brown villous; petals often with orange spots | 4 |
4 | Basal leaves linear to narrowly oblong, succulent, petioles absent; plants matted or cushion forming; leaf blade margins usually spinose-ciliate; ovary ½ inferior | S. aizoides |
– | Basal leaves oblanceolate, thin or slightly fleshy, petioles present; plants loosely tufted; leaf blade margins eciliate or sparsely reddish brown-ciliate; ovary superior | S. hirculus |
5 | Inflorescences with most flowers replaced by red bulbils, sometimes with one large white flower borne on the tip of the flowering stem | S. cernua |
– | Inflorescences lacking bulbils | 6 |
6 | Basal leaves distinctly petiolate, blades orbicular or reniform with 3–5 lobes | 7 |
– | Basal leaves not petiolate, blades narrowly cuneate or cuneate-flabellate, sharply 3-toothed or 3–5-lobed | 8 |
7 | Underground stolons present; flowering stems usually about same length as leaves, not or only somewhat exserted above leaves; basal leaf blades mostly 5-lobed; petals white | S. rivularis subsp. arctolitoralis |
– | Underground stolons absent; flowering stems usually much longer than and much exserted above leaves; basal leaf blades mostly 3–5-lobed; petals white to pale purplish, usually with purplish veins | S. hyperborea |
8 | Basal leaf blades narrowly cuneate, sharply 3-toothed (rarely with a single apical tooth); petals white with yellow to dark orange spots | S. tricuspidata |
– | Basal leaf blades cuneate-flabellate, with 3–5 soft, rounded lobes; petals white without spots | S. cespitosa |
Saxifraga aizoides
L., Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, Mt. Bumpus, Ulukhaktok, Richard Collinson Inl. and Wollaston P. (Porsild obs.) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9522 (CAN, O). C. Baring: Edlund 411 (CAN). C. Wollaston: Edlund 36 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9824 (
Saxifraga cernua
L., Fig.
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., Mt. Bumpus, Mt. Lady Pelly, the head of Prince Albert S. (Porsild obs.), Richard Collinson Inl., Wollaston P. (Porsild obs.) and Ulukhaktok.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9565 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9812 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 110, 56, 592 (CAN), Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10045 (CAN), 10179 (
Saxifraga cespitosa
L., Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, Hadley B., Natkusiak P., the head of Prince Albert S. and a site southeast thereof, Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9696 (CAN, O). Burns L. (S): Edlund 45 (CAN). C. Wollaston: Edlund 12, 120 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9866 (CAN), Stretton 51 (
Saxifraga flagellaris
subsp. platysepala (Trautv.) A.E.Porsild, Fig.
Previously recorded from “Jackpot L.”, Natkusiak P. and Storkerson P (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Jackpot L.: Porsild 17504 (CAN). Natkusiak P.: Edlund 107 (CAN). “Oldenburg L.”: Oldenburg 45-1347A (CAN). Storkerson P.: Edlund 220 (CAN), P. Jenness 34 (CAN).
Saxifraga hirculus
L., Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., Namaycush L., the head of Minto Inl. (Porsild obs.), the head of Prince Albert S., Richard Collinson Inl., Read I. (Porsild obs.), Storkerson P., Tahoe L. (Porsild obs.) and Ulukhaktok.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9515 (CAN, O). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9817 (
Saxifraga hyperborea
R.Br., Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, “Jackpot L.”, Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Jackpot L.: Porsild 17505 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 10000, 9894, 9954 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10308 (CAN), Porsild 17403 (CAN). Prince Albert P.: Oldenburg 54-254 (
Saxifraga oppositifolia
L., Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Greely Haven, Natkusiak P., the head of Minto Inl. (Porsild obs., conf.), the head of Prince Albert S., Read I., Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9584 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9682 (
Saxifraga rivularis
subsp. arctolitoralis (Jurtzev & V.V.Petrovsky) M.H.Jørg. & Elven, Fig.
First reported for Victoria I. by
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Oldenburg 45-1650 (CAN), Porsild 17310 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Oldenburg 44-939 (CAN). Murray Pt.: Gillespie et al. 8174 (
Saxifraga tricuspidata
Rottb., Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Namaycush L., Natkusiak P., Richard Collinson Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9537 (
Myriophyllum [1]
Myriophyllum sibiricum
Kom. (M. exalbescens Fernald), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Cambridge Bay: Bennett et al. 13-0291 (BABY, chars,
Rosids
Fabales
Fabaceae [4/10]
Key to Fabaceae [adapted from
1 | Leaves palmately compound; legume dehisced valves strongly twisted | Lupinus |
– | Leaves pinnately compound; legumes indehiscent and segmented or with dehisced valves straight | 2 |
2 | Legumes flat, segmented, separating into distinct segments, indehiscent; keel petal much longer than wing petals | Hedysarum |
– | Legumes sub-terete, not segmented, dehiscent; keel petal as long or only slightly longer than wing petals | 3 |
3 | Keel of the corolla blunt and without an appendage; legumes appearing 2-locular; plants cespitose, matted or trailing, with inflorescences borne on leafy stems | Astragalus |
– | Keel of the corolla tipped with an erect point; legumes 1-locular; plants cespitose, usually densely so, with inflorescences borne on naked stems | Oxytropis |
Key to Astragalus [adapted from
1 | Legumes pubescent, not inflated, long-stipitate, yellow-green to brown at maturity; stems thin, prostrate to ascending | A. alpinus |
1 | Legumes glabrous, inflated, short-stipitate, red at maturity; stems stout, erect-ascending | A. richardsonii |
Astragalus alpinus
L., Figs
A Astragalus alpinus inflorescence, Ulukhaktok, NT, 8 July 2010 B Astragalus richardsonii infructescences, Johansen Bay, NU, 14 July 2008 C Hedysarum americanum inflorescence, Johansen Bay, NU, 18 July 2008 D Hedysarum boreale subsp. mackenziei habit, Kuujjua River, NT, 16 July 2010 E Oxytropis arctica var. arctica habit F Oxytropis arctobia habit, Gillespie et al. 9593 G Oxytropis deflexa var. foliolosa habit, Gillespie et al. 10129 H Oxytropis maydelliana habitat, Johansen Bay, NU, 15 July 2008. Photos A by P.C. Sokoloff B, D by R.D. Bull C, G, H by L.J. Gillespie E by B.A. Bennett and F by J.M. Saarela.
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L., Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl., the head of Prince Albert S. (Porsild obs.), Read I. (Porsild obs., conf.), Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9510 (
Astragalus richardsonii
E.Sheld. (A. australis (L.) Lam., A. australis var. glabriusculus (Hook.) Isely), Figs
Species distribution maps. Fabaceae: A Astragalus alpinus B Astragalus richardsonii C Hedysarum americanum D Hedysarum boreale subsp. mackenziei E Lupinus arcticus subsp. arcticus F Oxytropis arctica var. arctica G Oxytropis arctobia H Oxytropis deflexa var. foliolosa I Oxytropis maydelliana J Oxytropis varians.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L., the north side of Prince Albert S., Read I. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9513 (
Key to Hedysarum [adapted from
1 | Calyx teeth linear to lanceolate; flowers 5–15 per inflorescence; adaxial surface of leaflets strigose to glabrous, nerves not apparent; legumes puberulent | H. boreale subsp. mackenziei |
– | Calyx teeth deltoid; flowers 20–50 per inflorescence; adaxial surface of leaflets glabrous, nerves apparent; legumes glabrous | H. americanum |
Hedysarum americanum
(Michx.) Britton (H. alpinum L., H. alpinum var. americanum Michx. ex Pursh), Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., the head of Minto Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9512 (
Hedysarum boreale
subsp. mackenziei (Richardson) S.L.Welsh (H. mackenziei Richardson), Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, Kuujjua R., Ulukhaktok (Porsild obs., conf.), the head of Minto Inl. (Porsild obs., conf.) and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9514 (
Lupinus arcticus
S.Watson subsp. arcticus, Fig.
Previously recorded from “Long L.” and the “south coast of Victoria Land” (Rae s.n.) (
NUNAVUT. “South coast”: Rae s.n. (K). “Long L.”: Lambert s.n. (CAN, 3 sheets) (Suppl. material
Key to Oxytropis [adapted from
1 | Flowers and legumes deflexed; stipules free from petiole | O. deflexa var. foliolosa |
– | Flowers and legumes ascending; stipules adnate to petiole | 2 |
2 | Stipules chestnut brown; flowers yellow | O. maydelliana |
– | Stipules white to papery-grey, sometimes slightly brown; flowers yellow or blue-purple | 3 |
3 | Flowers yellow, 3–12 per inflorescence | O. varians |
– | Flowers blue-purple, 1–7 per inflorescence | 4 |
4 | Plants low and densely cespitose, cushion forming; leaves < 3 cm; flowers 1(2) per inflorescence | O. arctobia |
– | Plants taller and loosely cespitose, not cushion forming; leaves ≥ 3 cm; flowers 2–6 per inflorescence | O. arctica var. arctica |
Oxytropis arctica
R.Br. var. arctica, Figs
Previously recorded from Albert Edward B., Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Mt. Pelly, Read I., Richard Collinson Inl., Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18745 (
Oxytropis arctobia
Bunge (O. nigrescens var. uniflora (Hook.) Barneby), Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, Hadley B., Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl., Natkusiak P., the head and north side of Prince Albert S., Read I., Richard Collinson Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9593 (
Oxytropis deflexa
var. foliolosa (Hook.) Barneby (O. deflexa subsp. foliolosa (Hook.) Cody), Figs
Known from a single collection at the head of Minto Inl., where gathered on cobble flats along a river in the vicinity of dense stands of Salix alaxensis; see additional details in
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10129 (CAN).
Oxytropis maydelliana
Trautv. (O. maydelliana subsp. melanocephala (Hook.) A.E.Porsild), Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, “Long L.”, Minto Inl. (Anderson, K), Tahoe L. and Ulukhaktok (Porsild obs., conf.) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Bliss s.n. (
Oxytropis varians
(Rydb.) K.Schum (O. campestris var. varians (Rydb.) Barneby, O. hyperborea A.E.Porsild), Fig.
Previously recorded from Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. C. Baring: Edlund & Nixon 312 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Bliss s.n. (
Rosaceae [3/14/15]
Key to Rosaceae
1 | Dwarf shrubs (woody); styles persistent and elongating after anthesis | Dryas integrifolia |
– | Herbs (non-woody); styles deciduous, not elongating after anthesis | 2 |
2 | Leaves cauline, simple, blades broadly 3–7-lobed; inflorescences 1-flowered; flowers unisexual; petals white; fruits aggregated drupelets | Rubus chamaemorus |
– | Leaves basal or cauline, compound, blades ternate, palmate, subpalmate or odd-pinnate, leaflets 3+; inflorescences 1–many-flowered; flowers bisexual; petals yellow; fruits aggregated achenes | Potentilla |
Dryas integrifolia
Vahl subsp. integrifolia, Figs
Species distribution maps. Rosaceae: A Dryas integrifolia subsp. integrifolia B Potentilla anserina subsp. groenlandica C Potentilla arenosa subsp. arenosa D Potentilla arenosa subsp. chamissonis E Potentilla hyparctica subsp. hyparctica F Potentilla nivea G Potentilla pedersenii H Potentilla × prostrata I Potentilla pulchella J Potentilla subgorodkovii K Potentilla subvahliana L Potentilla tikhomirovii.
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, Hadley B., “Long L.”, the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Natkusiak P., Namaycush L., the north side of Prince Albert S., Richard Collinson Inl., Wollaston P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9709 (
Key to Potentilla [adapted from
1 | Plants stoloniferous; stems flagelliform, becoming prostrate, rooting at some nodes; inflorescences solitary flowers at stolon nodes (P. sect. Pentaphylloides) | P. anserina |
– | Plants not stoloniferous; stems not flagelliform, usually decumbent to erect, sometimes prostrate or pendent, not rooting at nodes; inflorescences usually cymose, sometimes racemiform or solitary flowers | 2 |
2 | Leaves pinnate to subpalmate (P. sect. Pensylvanicae) | P. pulchella |
– | Leaves ternate or palmate | 3 |
3 | Leaflets pale to dark green abaxially, sometimes reddish, grayish or brownish, cottony or crisped hairs absent (P. sect. Aurea) | P. hyparctica |
– | Leaflets gray to white abaxially, sometimes yellowish white or reddish, cottony and/or crisped (short, twisted) hairs abundant to dense | 4 |
4 | Leaflets 3, rarely more, on all basal leaves (P. sect. Niveae) | 5 |
– | Leaflets 3–5(–7), usually more than 3 on at least some leaves (P. sect. Rubricaules) | 11 |
5 | Epicalyx bractlets usually 1/2 or less as wide as sepals, margins usually flat; petiole vestiture either primarily of cottony hairs or of ± stiff verrucose hairs; inflorescences usually more than 1-flowered; central leaflets with distal (1/2–)3/4 to nearly whole length incised less than 1/2 to midvein, teeth (2–)3–8(–12) per side | 6 |
– | Epicalyx bractlets (1/2–)2/3 to ± as wide as sepals, margins often revolute; petiole vestiture primarily of soft to weak smooth hairs (or stiff verrucose hairs in P. tikhomirovii); inflorescences often only 1-flowered; central leaflets with distal (1/3–)1/2–2/3(–3/4) incised (1/3–)1/2–3/4 to midvein, teeth (1–)2–3(–4) per side | 8 |
6 | Petiole long hairs usually absent, sometimes sparse to common, usually soft, usually ± appressed, smooth, cottony hairs usually abundant to dense; central leaflets subsessile or short-petiolulate | P. nivea |
– | Petiole long hairs sparse to abundant, usually stiff, spreading to ± ascending, verrucose, cottony hairs absent; central leaflets usually petiolulate, petiolules to 5 mm (P. arenosa) | 7 |
7 | Petioles with common to abundant short and/or stiff crisped hairs in addition to long verrucose hairs | P. arenosa subsp. arenosa |
– | Petioles with sparse or no short and/or soft crisped hairs in addition to long verrucose hairs | P. arenosa subsp. chamissonis |
8 | Epicalyx bractlets usually with red glands; petiole long hairs verrucose | P. tikhomirovii |
– | Epicalyx bractlets lacking red glands; petiole long hairs smooth | 9 |
9 | Carpels with apical hairs sparse to abundant (straight) | P. vulcanicola |
– | Carpels with apical hairs usually absent, rarely present (cottony) | 10 |
10 | Petioles 0.3–1.5(–2) cm, crisped/short-cottony hairs usually absent, sometimes sparse, long hairs ± weak, rarely stiff; plants usually cushion-forming; basal leaves 0.5–2.5(–3) cm; sepals 3–5(–6) mm; petals 4–8(–9) × 4–9 m; caudex branches sheathed with marcescent whole leaves; abaxial leaf surfaces with long hairs 0.5–1 mm; pedicels 1–2(–3) cm in flower | P. subvahliana |
– | Petioles (0.5–)1–5(–12) cm, crisped/short-cottony hairs usually sparse, sometimes absent or common, long hairs soft to weak; plants ± densely tufted to cushion-forming; basal leaves (1)2–10(–15) cm; sepals 4–6(–7) mm; petals (5–)6–9 × (5–)7–9 mm; caudex branches not or sometimes sheathed with marcescent whole leaves; abaxial leaf surfaces with long hairs 0.8–1.5 mm; pedicels (0.5–)2–4 cm in flower | P. subgorodkovii |
11 | Inflorescences (1–)3–7-flowered; petiole long hairs 1–2 mm, weak to ± stiff, verrucose; leaflet teeth with apical tufts ± 1 mm; adaxial leaflet surfaces with short (short-crisped) hairs absent or sparse, rarely common, cottony hairs absent; caudex branches not sheathed with marcescent whole leaves; petals usually not overlapping | P. pedersenii |
– | Inflorescences 1–3(–4)-flowered; petiole long hairs (1–)1.5–2.5 mm, soft to ± weak, smooth; leaflet teeth with apical tufts 1–1.5 mm; adaxial leaflet surfaces with short/crisped/cottony hairs common to abundant; caudex branches often sheathed with marcescent whole leaves; petals often overlapping | P. uschakovii |
Potentilla anserina
subsp. groenlandica Tratt. (Argentina egedii (Wormsk.) Rydb., Potentilla egedii Wormsk.), Fig.
Previously recorded from Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Edlund 291, 823 (CAN), Porsild 17312 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 8006 (CAN).
Potentilla arenosa
(Turcz.) Juz. subsp. arenosa (P. nivea var. arenosa Turcz.), Figs
Previously recorded from south of Burns L., Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl., southeast of the head of Prince Albert S., Richard Collinson Inl., a site east of Tahiryuaq along the territorial border, Ulukhaktok, Walker B. and Washburn L.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9602a, 9602b (CAN, O). Burns L. (S): Edlund 50 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 88 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10020b, 10116a (CAN), 10064aa (
Potentilla arenosa
subsp. chamissonis (Hultén) Elven & D.F.Murray (P. chamissonis Hultén, P. nivea subsp. chamissonis (Hultén) Hiitonen, P. hookeriana subsp. chamissonis (Hultén) Hultén), Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay (Anderson, K, conf. by Porsild), the head of Minto Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10218a, 10218b (CAN, O), Porsild 17405 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Oldenburg 45-1647 (CAN), Porsild 17313 (CAN), Ross 36 (
Potentilla hyparctica
Malte subsp. hyparctica, Fig.
Newly recorded for Victoria I., from a single collection from the north side of Prince Albert S. collected by M. Oldenburg in 1946. Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic recorded from Banks, Baffin, Somerset and Southampton islands, nearly all of the Queen Elizabeth islands, northeastern mainland Nunavut, the Coppermine R. area, Nunavut, and northern Quebec (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Prince Albert S. (N): Oldenburg 46-2290 (CAN,
Potentilla nivea
L., Figs
Previously recorded from C. Colborne (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9715 (CAN, mixed with P. uschakovii). Ulukhaktok: Edlund 334, 335 (CAN), Oldenburg 42-38 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Bennett et al. 13-0300 (
Potentilla pedersenii
(Rydb.) Rydb. (P. rubricaulis Lehm. pro parte), Fig.
This species was, until recently, included in a more broadly circumscribed P. rubricaulis Lehm., which is now understood to have a much narrower circumscription and range (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9929 (
Potentilla
×prostrata Rottb., Fig.
First record for Victoria I., where known from a single collection from Oterkvik Pt. This taxon is considered to be a hybrid between P. arenosa and P. nivea. See
NUNAVUT. Oterkvik Pt.: Gillespie et al. 7534 (
Potentilla pulchella
R.Br., Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Namaycush L., the north side and a site east of the head of Prince Albert S., Richard Collinson Inl., Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (
NUNAVUT. C. Wollaston: Edlund 54 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10196, 10250 (CAN, O), Porsild 17406 (CAN). “Oldenburg L.”: Oldenburg 45-1394 (CAN). Prince Albert S. (N): Stretton 36 (
Potentilla subgorodkovii
Jurtzev (P. uniflora Ledeb. pro parte), Fig.
Recorded from Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl., Namaycush L., “Trunsky L.”, Ulukhaktok and Washburn L. This is one of two taxa treated here (the other is P. vulcanicola), following
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9715b (
Potentilla subvahliana
Jurtzev (P. vahliana Lehm. pro parte), Fig.
The Sangraun Hills site mapped in
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9688 (
Potentilla tikhomirovii
Jurtzev, Fig.
Newly recorded from Victoria I., where known from Cambridge Bay, C. Colborne, Johansen B. and Walker B. Thought to be a hybrid species of P. arenosa subsp. arenosa (P. sect. Nivea) and P. hyparctica (P. sect. Aurea), and may have multiple origins (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Walker B.: Oldenburg 45-1531A (CAN,
Potentilla uschakovii
Jurtzev (P. rubricaulis Lehm. pro parte), Figs
This species was, until recently, included in a more broadly circumscribed P. rubricaulis Lehm., which is now understood to have a much narrower circumscription and range (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9527, 9535b (CAN, O), 9535a, 9631 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9715 (CAN, mixed with P. nivea), 9831 (
Potentilla vulcanicola
Juz. (P. uniflora Ledeb. pro parte), Fig.
We are aware of only a single record on Victoria I., from Ulukhaktok, which we were not able to confirm.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Gray & Gibbard 47 (
Rubus chamaemorus
L., Fig.
Known from a single collection gathered at “Long L.” (
NUNAVUT. “Long L.”: Lambert s.n. (CAN) (Suppl. material
Campanula L. [1]
Campanula uniflora
L., Figs
Previously known from Walker B. and the head of Minto Inl., the latter based on a specimen collected by Anderson housed at K and seen by Porsild (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9594 (CAN), 9680 (
Betulaceae [1/1]
Betula L. [1]
Betula glandulosa
Michx., Figs
A Campanula uniflora habitat, Gillespie et al. 9680 B Campanula uniflora habit, Gillespie et al. 9680 C Betula glandulosa habit, Gillespie et al. 9623 D Betula glandulosa inflorescence and leaves, Gillespie et al. 9623. E Parnassia kotzebuei habit, Gillespie et al. 8127. Photos A, B, D, E by R.D. Bull and C by L.J. Gillespie.
Previously recorded from Boot Inl., “Long L.”, Murray Pt. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Edlund 577 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9623 (ari, CAN, MT, O,
Celastraceae [1/1]
Parnassia L. [1]
Parnassia kotzebuei
Cham. ex Spreng., Figs
Previously recorded from the Kagloryuak R. east of the head of Prince Albert S. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10221b (
Salicaceae [1/10/11]
Salix L. [10/11]
Key to Salix [adapted from
Note: Medial leaf blades are the “normal” leaves along a branch.
1 | Low to tall shrubs, not dwarf, 0.08–6 m | 2 |
– | Dwarf shrubs, 0.01–0.15 m | 6 |
2 | Flowering before leaves emerge, catkins not on distinct leafy branchlets | 3 |
– | Flowering as or just before the leaves emerge, catkins on distinct leafy branchlets | 5 |
3 | Ovaries glabrous | S. richardsonii |
– | Ovaries hairy | 4 |
4 | Largest medial leaf blades abaxially densely tomentose or villous-tomentose, hairs wavy, adaxially dull, sparsely or moderately densely villous (floccose) to glabrescent; ovaries tomentose, villous or woolly; juvenile leaf blades densely woolly-tomentose abaxially, hairs white | S. alaxensis var. alaxensis |
– | Largest medial leaf blades abaxially glabrous or sparsely silky, hairs straight or wavy, adaxially highly glossy, glabrous or sparsely short-silky; ovaries long- or short-silky; juvenile leaf blades glabrous, puberulent, pubescent or densely long-silky abaxially, hairs white, sometimes also ferruginous | S. planifolia |
5 | Petioles 1–27 mm, much longer than subtending buds; ovary stipes 0.3–2.8 mm; largest medial leaf blades narrowly elliptic, elliptic, oblanceolate or obovate, apex acute, acuminate, convex or rounded | S. glauca var. stipulata |
– | Petioles 2–5.5 mm, usually shorter than or barely exceeding subtended buds; ovary stipes 0–0.5 mm; largest medial leaf blades narrowly oblong, narrowly to broadly elliptic, lanceolate or obovate, apex acuminate or acute | S. niphoclada |
6 | Catkins from subterminal buds | 7 |
– | Catkins from lateral buds | 8 |
7 | Largest medial leaf blade glaucous abaxially, (8–)12–66 × 8–50 mm, 1–1.5× as long as wide, venation deeply impressed; pistillate abaxial nectaries present, 0.3–0.5 mm, rarely absent; pistillate adaxial nectary narrowly oblong, 0.5–1 mm; styles 0.2–0.3 mm; capsules 4.5–5 mm | S. reticulata |
– | Largest medial leaf blades not glaucous abaxially, 5–32 × 7–18 mm, 1.1–2.8× as long as wide; venation not deeply impressed; pistillate abaxial nectaries absent; pistillate adaxial nectary narrowly oblong, oblong or ovate, 0.8–1.8 mm; styles 0.7–1.2 mm; capsules 4.8–8.25 mm | S. polaris |
8 | Ovaries glabrous; juvenile leaves reddish; staminate abaxial nectary 0.6–1 mm | S. ovalifolia var. ovalifolia |
– | Ovaries hairy; juvenile leaves yellow green; staminate abaxial nectary 0.3–0.8 mm or absent | 9 |
9 | Largest medial leaf blades not glaucous abaxially | S. polaris |
– | Largest medial leaf blades glaucous abaxially | 10 |
10 | Largest medial leaf blades abaxial surface glabrous, margins closely and prominently serrulate or crenulate, sometimes entire; ovary hairs ribbonlike, usually crinkled (refractive); staminate abaxial nectaries absent | S. arctophila |
– | Largest medial leaf blades abaxial surface pilose or midrib sparsely short-silky, or apex long-silky bearded, hairs usually straight or wavy, margins entire; ovary hairs flattened, not crinkled (white, not refractive); staminate abaxial nectaries present or absent | S. arctica |
Salix alaxensis
(Andersson ex DC.) Coville var. alaxensis, Figs
Species distribution maps. Salicaceae: A Salix alaxensis var. alaxensis B Salix arctica × Salix polaris C Salix arctica D Salix arctophila E Salix glauca var. stipulata F Salix niphoclada G Salix ovalifolia var. ovalifolia H Salix planifolia I Salix polaris J Salix reticulata K Salix richardsonii.
Previously recorded from Boot Inl., C. Wollaston, Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl., Namaycush L.
We studied the willow-thicket vegetation at a site in the valley of the Kiyuktuluak River, ca. 1 km north of the head of Minto Inl. on 24 July 2010. Based on comparison of site photographs published by Edlund (as well as previously unpublished photos, included here in Suppl. material
Understory species present in the willow thicket included Anemone parviflora, Arnica angustifolia subsp. angustifolia, Bistorta vivipara, Cardamine polemonioides, Cerastium arcticum, Chrysosplenium tetrandrum, Draba glabella, Elymus alaskanus subsp. alaskanus, Erigeron eriocephalus subsp. eriocephalus, Festuca baffinensis, Oxyria digyna, Poa pratensis subsp. alpigena, Potentilla uschakovii and Ranunculus arcticus. In openings in the thickets we additionally recorded Micranthes tenuis, Silene involucrata subsp. involucrata and Saxifraga caespitosa. Chamaenerion latifolium was common around the edges of the thicket.
The lush grassy meadow along the river floodplain adjacent to the willow thickets comprised Alopecurus borealis, Androsace septentrionalis, Bistorta vivipara, Carex aquatilis subsp. stans (in wetter areas at the meadow edge), Chamaenerion latifolium, Elymus alaskanus subsp. alaskanus, Festuca baffinensis, Gentianella propinqua subsp. propinqua, Juncus arcticus subsp. alaskanus, Poa glauca subsp. glauca, P. pratensis subsp. alpigena, Stellaria longipes, low S. alaxensis, Taraxacum ceratophorum and Trisetum spicatum.
Species occurring on the drier river channel between the stable floodplain bars on which the thickets have developed included Artemisia hyperborea, Astragalus richardsonii, Bistorta vivipara, Castilleja elegans, Cerastium arcticum, Chamaenerion latifolium, Dryas integrifolia (dominant), Papaver hultenii, Plantago canescens, Poa glauca subsp. glauca, Potentilla pedersenii, P. uschakovii, Ranunculus arcticus, small, low plants of S. alaxensis, Saxifraga cespitosa, S. hyperborea, Stellaria longipes and Taraxacum ceratophorum. On the more mesic edges of the dry floodplain, sedges such as Carex krausei and C. myosuroides were present. Oxytropis deflexa var. foliolosa, which is the only species we recorded in this area not known from elsewhere on Victoria I., grew in the open rocky floodplain along the edges of the stable bars adjacent to the willow thickets. Additional plants seen in the vicinity of O. deflexa were Astragalus alpinus, Draba sp., Festuca sp. and Saxifraga tricuspidata.
The willow thickets at Boot Inl. were first recorded by Dutilly in 1940. His collection labels from this area record the site as “willows patch”, with imprecise coordinates that mark a site north of Boot Inlet. A report in The Polar Times (1940 no. 11) confirms the location of Dutilly’s “willows patch” as being in the Boot Inl. area, a site that subsequent collectors (including our team) have visited: “Willows in the Far North: [Inuit] told him of a valley in which a grove of willows was growing. Not far from Minto Inl., on Victoria Island, he found them in a sheltered valley about a quarter mile long. He said they had grown to a height of 7 or 8 feet. …”. The tallest individuals we observed in 2010, at a site in a river valley ca. 5 km inland from Boot Inl. on the northeast side of a small lake, reached ca. 3 m in height. At this site the willows formed dense thickets along the cobblestone floodplain of a small river, often growing with Dryas integrifolia. Edlund’s collections gathered in 1982 along the same river valley record the plants as reaching 3–4 m high. A map in
At Johansen B., the species grew along Mackenzie Creek. Further inland, about 1 km from its mouth, it grew along the edges of the rocky, sheltered canyon of the creek, with most plants 1–1.5 m in height. Closer to the mouth of the creek it formed dense thickets along the partly flooded riparian zone along the creek; at this site most plants were about 1 m tall, with several in the grove reaching 1.5 m in height. Tree-sized willows also occur in the interior portion of Victoria Island. At a site 29 km east of Namaycush L., labels of Edlund’s collections (nos. 12838, 12839) record the species growing up to 3 m.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Edlund 570, 571, 572A (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9577 (
Salix arctica
Pall., Figs
There are more collections of this conspicuous and widespread species than of any other on Victoria I. Previously recorded from Albert Edward B., Anderson B., Byron B., Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, Collinson P., Ferguson L., Greely Haven, Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Mt. Pelly, Namaycush L., Natkusiak P., N of a large lake in the Ekalluk River system about 90 km NNE of Cambridge Bay, Peel Pt., north shore and head of Prince Albert S., Read I., Richard Collinson Inl., Storkerson P., Tahiryuaq, Ulukhaktok, Washburn L. and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9580, 9613 (CAN), 9581 (CAN, O,
Salix arctophila
Cockerell ex A.Heller, Fig.
Known from a single collection on Victoria I. from Oterkvik Pt.; see
NUNAVUT. Oterkvik Pt.: Gillespie et al. 7511 (
Salix glauca
var. stipulata Flod. (S. glauca subsp. stipulifera (Flod. ex Hayren) Hiit.), Figs
A Salix arctica pistillate catkins, Gillespie et al. 7484 B Salix glauca var. stipulata pistillate catkins, Gillespie et al. 8038 C Salix glauca var. stipulata habit, Gillespie et al. 8038 D Salix polaris habit, Gillespie et al. 9991 E Salix polaris pistillate catkins, Gillespie et al. 9991 F Salix reticulata habit, Gillespie et al. 7475 G Salix richardsonii habitat, Johansen Bay, NU, 15 July 2008. Photos A, F by R.D. Bull and B, C–E, G by L.J. Gillespie.
Previously recorded only from Cambridge Bay (
NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Argus & Edlund 12687, 12890, 12891, 12892, 12895, 12896 (CAN). Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 7856 (CAN, O), 7857, 8038, 8156 (CAN), 7858, 7859, 7861, 7964, 7983, 8039, 8155 (
Salix niphoclada
Rydb. (S. brachycarpa subsp. niphoclada (Rydb.) Argus), Fig.
Previously recorded from Boot Inl., Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, the north side and head of Prince Albert S., Richard Collinson Inl., Ulukhaktok and SW Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Edlund 573 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Edlund 665, 667 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9886 (CAN, O), 9887 (ari, CAN, O). Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10014 (
Salix ovalifolia
Trautv. var. ovalifolia, Fig.
First record for Victoria I. and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Known from a single collection gathered at Ferguson L. (identification confirmed by G.W. Argus). Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic recorded from northern Yukon (
NUNAVUT. Ferguson L. [Tahiryuaq]: Hainault 2022 (
Salix planifolia
Pursh, Fig.
The single collection, gathered from a sedge meadow at “Long L.”, was originally determined as Salix fuscescens by G.W. Argus, in 1987, and accepted as that species in
NUNAVUT. “Long L.”: Lambert s.n. (CAN) (Suppl. material
Salix polaris
Wahlenb., Figs
Previously recorded from SE of Armstrong Pt., “Jackpot L.”, the head of Minto Inl., Tahiryuaq and an unnamed lake ca. 60 mi. N of Cambridge Bay (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. SE of Armstrong Pt.: Edlund 589 (CAN). Jackpot L.: Porsild 17502 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 10005 (CAN, O), 9759, 9852, 9852, 9991, 10006 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10255, 10256 (CAN), Porsild 17382 (CAN). Oldenburg L.: Oldenburg 45-1389 (
Salix reticulata
L., Figs
Previously recorded from Anderson B., Byron B., Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, Ferguson L., Greiner L., Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Mt. Pelly, Natkusiak P., the head of Prince Albert S., Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9582 (CAN), 9583 (
Salix richardsonii
Hook. (S. lanata subsp. richardsonii (Hook.) A.K.Skvortsov), Figs
Previously recorded from Anderson B., Boot Inl., Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L., Jonnessee L., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Mt. Lady Pelly, Mt. Pelly, N of a large lake in the Ekalluk River system about 90 km NNE of Cambridge Bay, the north side and east of the head of Prince Albert S., Richard Collinson Inl., Surrey L., Tahiryuaq, Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Edlund 572B, 582 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9603 (
Salix arctica × S. polaris, Fig.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9614, 8615 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9758 (CAN). Prince Albert S. (head): Edlund 379 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Edlund 723 (CAN), Porsild 17271 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Anderson B.: Argus & Edlund 12722 (CAN). Cambridge Bay: Argus & Edlund 12676, 12865, 12883, 12885, 12886, 12887 (CAN), Consaul & Gillespie 1130 (CAN), Stephens 1088 (CAN). Collinson P.: Argus & Edlund 12751 (CAN). Ferguson L. [Tahiryuaq]: Argus & Edlund 12789 (CAN). Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 8094, 8095b (CAN, O). Ovayok TP: Stephens 1167 (CAN,
Linum L. [1]
Linum lewisii
Pursh subsp. lewisii, Figs
A Linum lewisii subsp. lewisii habit, Gillespie et al. 9618 B Linum lewisii subsp. lewisii flower, Gillespie et al. 9618 C Chamaenerion latifolium inflorescence (white-flowered form), Minto Inlet, NT, 21 July 2010 D Chamaenerion latifolium habit, Minto Inlet, NT, 21 July 2010 E Chamaenerion latifolium habitat, Minto Inlet, NT, 21 July 2010 F Epilobium arcticum habit (left) and habitat (right). Photos A, B by J.M. Saarela C, D, F by B.A. Bennett and E by P.C. Sokoloff.
Previously recorded from Kuujjua R. and the head of Minto Inl (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9609 (
Onagraceae [2/2]
Key to Onagraceae
1 | Petals pink or pale purple, rarely white, 15–25 mm; sepals (11–)14–18 mm; capsules 45–70 mm; leaf blades (10–)25–45(–65) mm | Chamaenerion latifolium |
– | Petals white or pale pink, 4–4.5 mm; sepals 3–3.5 mm; capsules 20–40 mm; leaf blades 4–10 mm | Epilobium arcticum |
Chamaenerion latifolium
(L.) Sweet (Chamerion latifolium (L.) Holub, Epilobium latifolium L.), Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl. (Porsild obs., conf.), Mt. Pelly, Richard Collinson Inl., Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9507, 9523 (CAN, O). Byron B.: Dushenko (UVIC). Kuujjua R.: Dutilly 18830 (
Epilobium arcticum
Sam., Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl., Richard Collinson Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9672 (CAN, O). Kuujjua R.: Edlund 680 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10004 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 105 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10040 (ari, CAN), 10200 (
Brassicaceae [10/31/33]
Key to Brassicaceae [adapted from
1 | Fruits silicles, less than 3 times long as wide | 2 |
– | Fruits siliques, 3 or more times long as wide | 6 |
2 | Trichomes absent or present and simple | 3 |
– | Trichomes present, branched | 4 |
3 | Basal leaves round, fleshy; silicles obovoid, ovoid or ellipsoid | Cochlearia |
– | Basal leaves linear-oblanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate; silicles narrowly oblong to linear-lanceolate, often torulose | Parrya |
4 | Silicles globose, glabrous; petals yellow; plants silvery-canescent | Physaria |
– | Silicles flattened to terete, hirsute (rarely glabrous); petals white, yellow or purple; plants glabrous to hirsute but not silvery-canescent | 5 |
5 | Petals white or yellow; siliques flattened | Draba |
– | Petals white to purplish; siliques terete to ovoid | Braya |
6 | Trichomes absent or present and simple | 7 |
– | Trichomes (at least some) branched | 9 |
7 | Siliques flattened, linear | Cardamine |
– | Siliques terete or quadrangular in cross section, linear or torulose | 8 |
8 | Petals (8–)10–20 mm, purple to white; sepals (3–)4–8 mm; siliques 3–7 mm wide, sometimes torulose | Parrya |
– | Petals 3–5 mm, white; sepals 1.5–3 mm; siliques 2–3 mm wide, not torulose | Eutrema |
9 | Basal and lower cauline leaves pinnate to bi-pinnately compound, blade margins deeply lobed | Descurainia |
– | Basal and lower cauline leaves simple, blade margins entire to repand-dentate | 10 |
10 | Cauline leaf blade bases sagittate | Crucihimalaya |
– | Cauline leaf blade bases cuneate, attenuate or absent | 11 |
11 | Trichomes sessile, malpighiaceous (with ends oriented along the long axis of the organ) and 3–5-rayed stellate, simple trichomes absent; petals (8–)10–20 mm | Erysimum |
– | Trichomes stalked, cruciform, dendritic, stellate, submalpighiaceous or forked, simple trichomes sometimes present; petals 2–6(–8) mm | 12 |
12 | Branched trichomes submalpighiaceous or 2-forked; fruits terete to quadrangular in cross section; petals white, sometimes tinged pinkish or purplish | Braya |
– | Branched trichomes mostly dendritic or stellate; fruits flattened in cross section; petals yellow or white | Draba |
Key to Braya [adapted from
1 | Plants not scapose; cauline leaves (1–)2–4; fruits linear | B. humilis |
– | Plants scapose; cauline leaves 0–1 (or with leaflike bract subtending proximalmost pedicel); fruits ovoid, globose, oval-elliptic, oblong-cylindrical or lanceoloid | 2 |
2 | Fruits ovoid or globose, (4–)5–8(–10) × (2.5–)3–5 mm (B. thorild-wulffii) | 3 |
– | Fruits ovoid-elliptic, oblong-elliptic, oblong or narrowly oblong-lanceoloid, (3–)5–12(–15) × (0.8–)1.1–3(–3.6) mm (B. glabella) | 4 |
3 | Stems, pedicels, sepals, and fruits densely pubescent | B. thorild-wulffii subsp. thorild-wulffii |
– | Stems, pedicels, sepals, and fruits glabrous or glabrescent | B. thorild-wulffii subsp. glabrata |
4 | Fruits oblong or narrowly oblong-lanceoloid, often curved, 3.5–8.3× as long as wide; racemes often loosely elongated in fruit | B. glabella subsp. glabella |
– | Fruits ovoid-elliptic or oblong-elliptic, usually straight, 2.5–3.7× as long as wide; racemes not elongated in fruit, often compact | B. glabella subsp. purpurascens |
Braya glabella
Richardson subsp. glabella, Figs
Species distribution maps. Brassicaceae: A Braya glabella subsp. glabella B Braya glabella subsp. purpurascens C Braya humilis subsp. humilis D Braya thorild-wulffii subsp. glabrata E Braya thorild-wulffii subsp. thorild-wulffii F Cardamine bellidifolia G Cardamine digitata H Cardamine polemonioides I Cochlearia groenlandica J Crucihimalaya bursifolia K Descurainia sophioides L Draba arctica.
A Braya glabella subsp. glabella habit (left, Gillespie et al. 8493; right, Gillespie et al. 8492) B Braya humilis subsp. humilis habit, Gillespie et al. 10170 C Braya thorild-wulffii subsp. thorild-wulffii habit, Gillespie et al. 10074 D Cardamine digitata habit, Gillespie et al. 7498 E Cardamine polemonioides inflorescence (left) and habit (right). Photos A–C by L.J. Gillespie D by R.D. Bull and E by B.A. Bennett.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9586 (
Braya glabella
subsp. purpurascens (R.Br.) Cody (B. purpurascens R.Br.), Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Natkusiak, Storkerson P., Read I., Ulukhaktok, Walker B. and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Burns L. (S): Edlund 57 (CAN). C. Wollaston: Edlund 53 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9837 (CAN, O). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 122 (CAN). Natkusiak P.: Edlund 90, 127 (CAN). Prince Albert P.: Oldenburg 54-237 (
Braya humilis
(C.A.Mey.) B.L.Rob. subsp. humilis (B. richardsonii (Rydb.) Fernald, B. humilis subsp. arctica (Böcher) Rollins), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Mt. Bumpus, Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9571 (CAN, O). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 122 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10170 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Edlund 862 (CAN), Porsild 17291, 17292 (
Braya thorild-wulffii
subsp. glabrata J.G.Harris, Fig.
Known from a single collection from Namaycush L., which marks the known eastern and southern limit of the subspecies. Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic recorded from Banks I. (
NUNAVUT. Namaycush L.: Stretton 18 (
Braya thorild-wulffii
Ostenf. subsp. thorild-wulffii, Figs
Previously recorded from Namaycush L., Peel Pt. and the north side of Prince Albert S. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10074 (
Key to Cardamine [adapted from
1 | Cauline leaves simple or absent; fruiting pedicels 3–6(–8) mm; petals 4–5.5(–7) mm, not clawed | C. bellidifolia |
– | Cauline leaves pinnately compound, 3–25-foliolate, sometimes pinnatisect and appearing compound; fruiting pedicels 5–25(–8) mm; petals 5–12.3 mm, clawed | 2 |
2 | Cauline leaves (7–)9–21-foliolate or -pinnatisect; petals white-lilac, 9–12.3 mm; fruiting pedicels 5–15 mm; fruits 1–1.8 cm; rhizomes absent | C. polemonioides |
– | Cauline leaves 3–7-foliolate; petals white, 5–9 mm; fruiting pedicels (7–)10–25 mm; fruits (1.5–)2–4 cm; rhizomes present, cylindrical, slender | C. digitata |
Cardamine bellidifolia
L., Fig.
Known from a single collection from the Storkerson P. (
Nunavut: Storkerson P.: Edlund 238 (CAN).
Cardamine digitata
Richardson, Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L., Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Namaycush L., Richard Collinson Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9579 (
Cardamine polemonioides
Rouy (C. nymanii Gand., C. pratensis subsp. angustifolia (Hook.) O.E.Schultz), Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., the head of Prince Albert S., Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9799 (CAN), Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 107, 603, 604 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10133 (CAN). Prince Albert S. (head): Porsild 17442 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Edlund 483, 764 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Albert Edward B.: Ponomarenko VI-258A (CAN). Byron B.: Dushenko 25 (UVIC). Cambridge Bay: Bennett 13-0229 (BABY, chars, od), Calder et al. 24181 (
Cochlearia groenlandica
L. (C. officinalis subsp. arctica (Schltdl.) Hultén, C. officinalis subsp. groenlandica (L.) A.E.Porsild), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Collinson P., Gordon Pt., Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Namaycush L., Natkusiak P., the head of Prince Albert S. (Porsild obs.), Read I. (Porsild obs.; conf.), Richard Collinson Inl., Storkerson P., Ulukhaktok and an unnamed lake ca. 60 miles north of Cambridge Bay (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Gordon Pt.: Stretton 200 (
Crucihimalaya bursifolia
(DC.) D.A.German & A.L.Ebel (Halimolobos mollis (Hook.) Rollins, Transberingia bursifolia (DC.) Al-Shehbaz & O’Kane), Figs
Newly reported from Victoria I. based on a single collection from Cambridge Bay gathered in 2013 near the Defence Early Warning station. Taxonomy follows
NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Bennett et al. 13-0325 (CAN).
Descurainia sophioides
(Fisch. ex Hook.) O.E.Schulz, Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L., the head of Minto Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9932 (
Key to Draba [adapted from
Note: Species groups used in the Draba key in the Flora of North America (FNA) are referenced in square brackets. Several species key under more than one group.
1 | Cauline leaves of flowering stems 1+ | 2 |
– | Cauline leaves of flowering stems absent | 15 |
2 | Abaxial surface of leaf blades glabrous or with simple trichomes [FNA Group 2] | 3 |
– | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with only branched trichomes | 5 |
3 | Abaxial surface of leaf blades glabrous | D. lactea |
– | Abaxial surface of leaf blades pubescent | 4 |
4 | Leaf blade surfaces pubescent with simple and stalked, 2- or 3-rayed trichomes, and short-stalked, 8–12-rayed, stellate ones; fruit valves pubescent, trichomes (2–)5–12-rayed; style 0.2–0.8 mm; petals 3.5–5 × 1.5–2.5 mm; sepals 2–3 mm; stems proximally with branched trichomes 4–10-rayed | D. oblongata |
– | Leaf blade surfaces abaxially pubescent or glabrous, trichomes simple, sometimes with fewer, short-stalked, 2-rayed ones, adaxially often glabrous; fruit valves glabrous; style 0.05–0.2(–0.3) mm; petals 2–3.5 × 0.8–1.5 mm; sepals 1.2–2.2 mm; stems glabrous or, rarely, sparsely pubescent, trichomes straight | D. fladnizensis |
5 | Fruit valves glabrous [FNA Group 3] | 6 |
– | Fruit valves pubescent or puberulent (at least on margin) | 10 |
6 | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with some 7–15-rayed trichomes | 7 |
– | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with 2–5(–6)-rayed trichomes | 9 |
7 | Margins of basal and cauline leaf blades entire | D. nivalis |
– | Margins of basal and, sometimes, cauline leaf blades usually dentate or denticulate, if entire, racemes not flexuous in fruit | 8 |
8 | Cauline leaves usually 0, rarely 1 (as a bract); basal leaf blades each with prominent midvein; sepals glabrous or, rarely, with simple trichomes subapically; racemes 2–8(–12)-flowered | D. lactea |
– | Cauline leaves usually 2–25; basal leaf blades each with obscure midvein; sepals with 2–5-rayed trichomes; racemes (5–)8–26(–34)-flowered | D. glabella |
9 | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with stalked, cruciform trichomes, adaxially with cruciform and/or simple and 2-rayed ones; sepals ovate, 2.2–3 mm, glabrous or pubescent subapically, trichomes simple, 2-rayed | D. juvenilis |
– | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with stalked, (2–)4(–6)-rayed trichomes, adaxially glabrous or pubescent, with simple and stalked, 2-rayed trichomes; sepals 1.7–2.5 mm, pubescent, trichomes simple 2–4-rayed | D. norvegica |
10 | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with at least some 7–15-rayed trichomes [FNA Group 4] | 11 |
– | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with 2–4(-6)-rayed trichomes [FNA Group 5] | 14 |
11 | Fruit trichomes simple and 2–5-rayed | D. glabella |
– | Fruit trichomes 2–7-rayed (at least on replum) | 12 |
12 | Petals 2–3.5 × 0.8–1.4 mm; fruits 1.5–2.2 mm wide | D. nivalis |
– | Petals 3.5–6 × 1.5–2 mm; fruits 2–3.5 mm wide | 13 |
13 | Basal leaf blades with simple trichomes apically, abaxial surfaces with distinct midveins; seeds 0.8–1.1 × (0.6–)0.7–0.8 mm | D. arctica |
– | Basal leaf blades without simple trichomes apically, abaxial surfaces with obscure midveins; seeds 0.6–0.8 × 0.4–0.6 mm | D. cinerea |
14 | Fruit trichomes simple; adaxial surface of leaf blades with cruciform and/or simple and 2-rayed ones; sepals ovate, 2.2–3 mm, glabrous or pubescent subapically, trichomes simple and short-stalked, 2-rayed | D. juvenilis |
– | Fruit trichomes simple and 2-rayed; adaxial surface of leaf blades glabrous or pubescent, with simple and stalked, 2-rayed trichomes; sepals 1.7–2.5 mm, pubescent, trichomes simple and short-stalked, 2–4-rayed | D. norvegica |
15 | Rachises glabrous | 16 |
– | Rachises sparsely to densely pubescent | 20 |
16 | Abaxial surface of leaf blades glabrous (sometimes trichomes only on margins and apices) [FNA Group 6] | D. lactea |
– | Abaxial surface of leaf blades pubescent [FNA Group 7] | 17 |
17 | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with some 7–16-rayed trichomes | D. lactea |
– | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with simple and/or 2–5(–6)-rayed trichomes | 18 |
18 | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with cruciform trichomes; petals 3–5 × 1.5–2.5 mm; sepals 2.2–3 mm | D. juvenilis |
– | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with mixture of simple and 2(–4)-rayed trichomes; petals 1.5–2.5 × 0.7–1.5 mm; sepals 1.2–2.2 mm | 19 |
19 | Fruits flattened, elliptic-lanceolate to oblong, 1.5–2 mm wide; rachises glabrous; petals 2–2.5 × 0.8–1.5 mm | D. fladnizensis |
– | Fruits slightly inflated, ovoid to oblong, 2–3 mm wide; rachises usually pubescent, rarely glabrous; petals 1.5–2(–2.5) × 0.7–1 mm | D. subcapitata |
20 | Leaf blade margins not ciliate [FNA Group 8] | 21 |
– | Leaf blade margins ciliate | 22 |
21 | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with pectinate trichomes; petals usually yellow, rarely creamy white; fruits 3–6(–7) mm, valves usually puberulent, rarely glabrous, trichomes simple and sessile, often unequally 2-rayed, ovules 6–12 per ovary | D. oligosperma |
– | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with cruciform trichomes; petals pale yellow to creamy white; fruits 5–11(–14) mm, valves usually glabrous, rarely margins pubescent, trichomes simple, ovules 16–30 per ovary | D. juvenilis |
22 | Abaxial surface of leaf blades usually with simple or simple and branched trichomes, rarely glabrous [FNA Group 9] | 23 |
– | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with branched trichomes [FNA Group 10] | 30 |
23 | Abaxial surface of leaf blades usually with simple and/or 2-rayed trichomes, rarely glabrous | D. subcapitata |
– | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with simple and 2–6-rayed trichomes, sometimes subdendritic and up to 12-rayed | 24 |
24 | Racemes not or slightly elongated (sometimes subumbellate) in fruit | 25 |
– | Racemes elongated in fruit | 27 |
25 | Basal leaves densely imbricate; petals white or creamy white; fruits 3–6 mm, inflated (at least basally) | D. subcapitata |
– | Basal leaves not imbricate; petals pale yellow; fruits 5–10 mm, flattened | 26 |
26 | Fruits ovate-elliptic, 2–3.2 mm wide, valves often densely pubescent; ovules (16–)18–28 per ovary; leaf blades with apices obtuse to rounded, surfaces with subcruciform trichomes | D. micropetala |
– | Fruits obovate, (3–)3.5–5 mm wide, valves often glabrate; ovules 8–16(–20) per ovary; leaf blades with apices acute or subacute, surfaces with simple and/or 2-branched trichomes | D. pauciflora |
27 | Petals white; fruit valves pubescent, trichomes (2–)5–12-rayed; stigmas distinctly wider than styles; abaxial surface of leaf blades with some 8–12-rayed trichomes | D. oblongata |
– | Petals pale or bright yellow; fruit valves usually pubescent, sometimes glabrous, trichomes simple, spurred or 2-rayed; stigmas about as wide as styles; abaxial surface of leaf blades with some 2–5-rayed trichomes | 28 |
28 | Fruiting pedicels 1–3(–4) mm; petals 2–3 × (0.7–)1–1.5 mm; styles 0.05–0.3 mm; racemes slightly elongated in fruit | D. micropetala |
– | Fruiting pedicels 2.5–10 mm; petals 3.5–6 × 2–3.8 mm; styles 0.1–0.9 mm; racemes often considerably elongated in fruit | 29 |
29 | Basal leaf blades linear to linear-oblanceolate, 1–2.5(–4) mm wide, midveins prominent; style 0.4–0.9 mm; petals obovate, 3.5–6 × 2–3.5 mm | D. pilosa |
– | Basal leaf blades oblong, lanceolate, oblanceolate or obovate, 2–9 mm wide, midveins obscure; style 0.1–0.3 mm; petals narrowly obovate, (3.5–)3.8–5.5(–5.8) × (2.5–)2.8–4(–4.6) mm | D. simmonsii |
30 | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with pectinate, subdendritic or some 7–12-rayed, stellate trichomes | 31 |
– | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with 2–6-rayed trichomes | 34 |
31 | Abaxial surface of leaf blades with pectinate trichomes | D. oligosperma |
– | Abaxial surface with stellate or subdendritic trichomes | 32 |
32 | Fruit valves glabrous | D. lactea |
– | Fruit valves pubescent, trichomes 2–6-rayed | 33 |
33 | Basal leaf blades apically with simple trichomes, midveins distinct abaxially; seeds 0.8–1.1 × (0.6–)0.7–0.8 mm | D. arctica |
– | Basal leaf blades apically without simple trichomes, midveins obscure abaxially; seeds 0.6–0.8 × 0.4–0.6 mm | D. cinerea |
34 | Petals 4–6 × 3–5 mm; fruits 3.5–5.5 mm wide (stigmas distinctly wider than styles); racemes not elongated (corymbose) in fruit | D. corymbosa |
– | Petals 2–3 × (0.7–)1–1.5 mm; fruits 2–3.2 mm wide (stigmas narrower than styles); racemes mostly elongated in fruit | D. micropetala |
Draba arctica
J.Vahl, Fig.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Edlund 364 (CAN), Porsild 17295, 17296 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Bennett et al. 14-0647b (BABY, chars, od), Edlund & Argus 12633. Ferguson L. [Tahiryuaq]: Edlund & Argus 12777 (CAN). Falaise B.: Eriksen et al. 987 (
Draba cinerea
Adams, Figs
Previously recorded from Boot Inl., Cambridge Bay, Ferguson L., Hadley B., Kuujjua R., the head of Prince Albert S., Read I., Storkerson P., Ulukhaktok and northwestern Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18727 (
Draba corymbosa
R.Br. ex DC. (D. bellii Holm), Figs
A Draba corymbosa habit, Gillespie et al. 9994 B Draba corymbosa developing fruits, Gillespie et al. 9994 C Draba glabella habit D Draba glabella inflorescence and fruits E Draba lactea habit F Draba pilosa habit, Gillespie et al. 9679. Photos A, B by R.D. Bull C–E by B.A. Bennett and F by L.J. Gillespie.
Previously recorded from Anderson B., south of Burns L., Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, Greely Haven, Hadley B., Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Namaycush L., Peel Pt., east of the head of Prince Albert S., Read I., Richard Collinson Inl., Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9685, 9701 (cf.), 9702, 9703, 9704, 9705 (cf.), 9706, 9707 (CAN), 9687 (CAN, O). Burns L. (S): Edlund 551 (CAN). C. Wollaston: Edlund 37a (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Edlund 679 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9834, 9870a, 9994 (CAN), 9843 (
Draba fladnizensis
Wulfen, Fig.
Newly recorded for Victoria I., where known from Falaise B. and Ulukhaktok. The collection from the latter site was taken by Porsild in 1949, mixed with D. lactea. Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic recorded from Baffin, Banks, Cornwallis and Southampton islands and scattered mainland sites (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Porsild 17298 (CAN, mixed with D. lactea). NUNAVUT. Falaise B.: Parker 91 10 (
Draba glabella
Pursh, Figs
Previously recorded from south of Burns L., Cambridge Bay, “Long L.”, the head of Minto Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9570, 9621 (CAN, O). Burns L. (S): Edlund 550 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 79, 80A, 616, 618 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10161, 10122a, 10167 (cf.) (CAN, O), 10166 (
Draba juvenilis
Kom. (D. longipes Raup), Fig.
Newly recorded for Victoria I., from Cambridge Bay, Sinclair Cr. and Ulukhaktok. We have also confirmed the first record from adjacent Banks I. (Sachs Harbour, Lambert s.n., CAN 529469); this specimen was previously determined as D. ? oblongata and D. glabella. These are the first records for the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. In the Cambridge Bay area, the species has been collected at the following four sites: 4 km northeast of Cambridge Bay along the road to Mt. Pelly (Bennett 13-0224b), where it grew around edge of nutrient enriched tundra pond with Cardamine polemonioides, Epilobium arcticum, Chrysosplenium rosendahlii, Hippuris lanceolata and Tephroseris palustris; ca. 2 km northeast of Cambridge Bay along the road to Mt. Pelly, just over the bridge, growing in small rocky outcrops above the river (Gillespie et al. 3499, 8400); east of the of DEW Line Station along the road to the village (Edlund & Argus 12649, a mixed collection of three species); and on Long Point beach, between Long Point and Flagstaff Point ca. 10 km west of Cambridge Bay (Gillespie et al. 8945b).
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Saarela & Bull 1463 (
Draba lactea
Adams, Figs
Previously recorded from Anderson B., Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Richard Collinson Inl., Storkerson P., Tahoe L. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9755, 9756b, 9870b (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 617, 80B, 81, 96 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10213 (
Draba micropetala
Hook., Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay and Hadley B. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Natkusiak P.: Edlund 93, 103, 114 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Calder et al. 24209 (aff.) (CAN). Hadley B.: Edlund 149 (CAN). Namaycush L.: Edlund 12 (CAN).
Draba nivalis
Lilj., Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Edlund 895 (CAN), Porsild 17301 (CAN). NUNAVUT. “30-Mile Cr.”: Bennett et al. 14-0666 (
Draba norvegica
Gunn. (D. rupestris W.T.Aiton), Fig.
Newly recorded from Victoria I., based on a single collection from Cambridge Bay (Hudson Bay Post) determined by G.A. Mulligan in 1997 and conf. by R. Elven in 2003. In
NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Calder et al. s.n. (
Draba oblongata
R.Br. ex DC. (D. groenlandica Ekman), Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, the head of Minto Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. C. Wollaston: Edlund 37b (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10276 (CAN, O), Porsild 17397 (CAN). Peel Pt.: Edlund 430 (CAN, mixed with D. corymbosa). Ulukhaktok: Gray & Gibbard 25 (
Draba oligosperma
Hook., Fig.
Known from two collections in the vicinity of Falaise B. on the south side of Wollaston P. (
NUNAVUT. Falaise B.: Eriksen et al. 983 (
Draba pauciflora
R.Br., Fig.
Known on Victoria I. from a single collection from the vicinity of Namaycush L., as mapped in
NUNAVUT. Namaycush L.: Roncato-Spencer 8 (CAN).
Draba pilosa
Adams ex DC., Figs
Newly recorded for Victoria I., where known from “30-Mile Cr.”, Boot Inl., Cambridge Bay, Johansen B., Kuujjua R., Murray Pt. and Oterkvik Pt. Not known from elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. These collections represent a considerable range extension northwards. Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic recorded from a few mainland sites (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9575, 9683 (CAN), 9637 (cf.) (CAN, O), 9679 (
Draba simmonsii
Elven & Al-Shehbaz (D. alpina var. gracilescens Simmons), Figs
Newly recorded for Victoria I., from “30-Mile Cr.”, Cambridge Bay, Greiner L., Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Mt. Pelly, Tahiryuaq, Tahoe L. and Ulukhaktok. The older records included here were previously treated under D. alpina L. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9998 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 95 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10059 (CAN). Tahiryuaq: Edlund 386 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Edlund 718 (CAN). NUNAVUT. “30-Mile Cr.”: Bennett et al. 14-0342 (
Draba subcapitata
Simmons, Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Collinson P., the head of Minto Inl. (Porsild obs., conf.), Hadley B., Storkerson P., Washburn L. and northwestern Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9700 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10300 (CAN). Natkusiak P.: Edlund 116, 123 (CAN). Wollaston P. (NW): Porsild 17224 (
Key to Erysimum [adapted from
1 | Petals yellow; basal leaf blades oblanceolate to linear-oblanceolate, 2–7 mm wide; fruits 2.5–5.8(–6.4) cm × 1.8–2.5 mm | E. coarctatum |
– | Petals usually purple, rarely lilac; basal leaf blades linear to narrowly linear-oblanceolate, 1–2 mm wide; fruits (3–)5–11(–13) cm × 2–4 mm | E. pallasii |
Erysimum coarctatum
Fernald, Fig.
Newly reported from Victoria I., known only from “Long L.” where collected by Lambert in 1964. This is the only record of the taxon for the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. The collection was overlooked in previous treatments (
NUNAVUT. “Long L.”: Lambert s.n. (CAN) (Suppl. material
Erysimum pallasii
(Pursh) Fernald, Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, C. Colborne, C. Wollaston, the head of Minto Inl., the head of Prince Albert S., Read I. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9533 (ari, CAN), 9697 (CAN). C. Wollaston: Edlund 21 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9731, 9747 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 64 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10029 (
Eutrema edwardsii
R.Br., Figs
Previously recorded from C. Wollaston, Hadley B., Minto Inl. (Porsild obs., conf.), the head of Prince Albert S. (Porsild obs.), Richard Collinson Inl. and Ulukhaktok.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9563 (
Key to Parrya
1 | Leaf blades entire or rarely obscurely dentate; petals 10–13 mm; anthers ovate, 0.8–1.5 mm; fruit not or scarcely torulose | P. arctica |
– | Leaf blades entire to dentate or lobed; petals 12–22 mm; anthers linear-oblong, 1.5–2.5 mm; fruit usually torulose (constricted between seeds) | P. nudicaulis |
Parrya arctica
R.Br., Figs
Previously recorded from south of Burns L., Cambridge Bay, an unnamed lake ca. 60 mi. N of Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, Collinson P., Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Pelly, Namaycush L., Natkusiak P., the head of Prince Albert S., the head of Minto Inl., Richard Collinson Inl., Storkerson P., Tahiryuaq, Ulukhaktok, Walker B. and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18731 (
Parrya nudicaulis
(L.) Regel, Fig.
One specimen (Jenness 650) is assigned to this species based on its distinctly dentate-lobed leaves, linear-oblong anthers and torulose young fruit.
NUNAVUT. Wollaston P.: D. Jenness 650 (CAN).
Physaria arctica
(Wormsk. ex Hornem.) O’Kane & Al-Shehbaz, Fig.
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, an unnamed lake ca. 60 mi. N of Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Lady Pelly, Namaycush L., the north side and head of Prince Albert S., Read I., Richard Collinson Inl., Ulukhaktok and Walker B. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9526b (CAN, O). C. Wollaston: Edlund 6, 49 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9762 (CAN, O). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 59 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9481 (CAN), Porsild 17402 (CAN). Prince Albert P.: Oldenburg 54-655 (
Caryophyllales
Plumbaginaceae [1/1]
Armeria Willd. [1]
Armeria scabra
Pall. ex Roem. & Schult. (A. maritima subsp. sibirica (Turcz. ex Boiss.) Nyman), Figs
Previously recorded from C. Wollaston, Gordon Pt., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Lady Pelly, Richard Collinson Inl. and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9632 (
Key to Polygonaceae [adapted from
1 | Leaf blades reniform; inflorescences bearing flowers, flowers 2–6 per ocreate fascicle; perianth greenish to reddish brown; achenes lenticular, winged | Oxyria digyna |
– | Leaf blades linear to lanceolate or oblong-ovate; inflorescences usually bearing pink to brown or purple pyriform bulblets proximally and sterile flowers distally, sterile flowers 1–2 per ocreate fascicle; perianth greenish proximally, usually white or pink distally, rarely red; achenes rarely produced, when present trigonous, unwinged | Bistorta vivipara |
Bistorta vivipara
(L.) Delarbre (Persicaria vivipara (L.) Ronse Decr., Polygonum viviparum L.), Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Namaycush L., Natkusiak P., east of the head of Prince Albert S., Richard Collinson Inl., Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18689 (
Oxyria digyna
Hill, Fig.
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Natkusiak P., the north side of Prince Albert S., Richard Collinson Inl., Tahiryuaq, Walker B. (Porsild obs., conf.) and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9599 (ari, CAN). C. Wollaston: Edlund 47 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Dutilly 18836 (
Key to Caryophyllaceae [adapted from
1 | Sepals united into a tube; petals pink or white | Silene |
– | Sepals free; petals white | 2 |
2 | Petal apices 2-lobed or 2-fid, often divided nearly to base, or 4-fid | 3 |
– | Petal apices entire, emarginate, jagged or notched | 4 |
3 | Capsules cylindric, often ± curved, opening by 10 teeth; styles 5 | Cerastium |
– | Capsules ovoid to globose, opening by 6 valves; styles 3(–5) | Stellaria |
4 | Leaf blades conspicuously fleshy | Honckenya |
– | Leaf blades herbaceous to slightly succulent | 5 |
5 | Capsule valves or teeth 6, two times number of styles | Arenaria |
– | Capsule valves 4 or 5, equal in number to styles | 6 |
6 | Sepals 4 or 5; styles 4 or 5; capsule valves 4 or 5 | Sagina |
– | Sepals 5; styles 3, occasionally 4; capsule valves or teeth 3 | Sabulina |
Key to Arenaria [adapted from
1 | Flowering pedicels (5–)9–20 mm, flowers long-exserted above leaves; sepals glandular villous basally; leaf blade margins often ciliate proximally; capsules ellipsoid | A. longipedunculata |
– | Flowering pedicels 1–5 mm, flowers not or little exserted above leaves; sepals glabrous; leaf blade margins smooth; capsules broadly ellipsoid | A. humifusa |
Arenaria humifusa
Wahlenb., Fig.
Species distribution maps. Caryophyllaceae: A Arenaria humifusa B Arenaria longipedunculata C Cerastium arcticum D Cerastium beeringianum E Cerastium regelii F Honckenya peploides subsp. diffusa G Sabulina elegans H Sabulina rossii I Sabulina rubella J Sabulina stricta K Sagina caespitosa L Sagina nivalis.
Known from three sites in the Kuujjua R. area, where we collected it in 2010 growing on inland sand dunes (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Edlund 662 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9882 (
Arenaria longipedunculata
Hultén, Fig.
Known from Clouston B. and Johansen B., where collected in 2008; details are provided in
NUNAVUT. Clouston B.: Gillespie et al. 7721 (CAN). Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 8136 (CAN).
Key to Cerastium [adapted from
1 | Leaf blades succulent, subglabrous or ciliate; plants often not flowering | C. regelii |
– | Leaf blades not succulent, pubescent; plants normally flowering | 2 |
2 | Inflorescences (1–)3–10-flowered cymes; sepals 3–7 mm, petals ± equalling sepals in length | C. beeringianum |
– | Inflorescences 1–3-flowered cymes; sepals 8–11 mm; petals 1–2× length of sepals | C. arcticum |
Cerastium arcticum
Lange, Figs
A Cerastium arcticum habit, Gillespie et al. 10164 B Cerastium arcticum inflorescence, Gillespie et al. 9823 C Cerastium beeringianum habit D Cerastium beeringianum inflorescence E Cerastium regelii habit, Gillespie et al. 9710 F Cerastium regelii inflorescence, Gillespie et al. 9710 G Honckenya peploides subsp. diffusa habit and inflorescence, Gillespie et al. 9385 H Sabulina rossii habit, Gillespie et al. 9385. Photos A, B, E, F, H by L.J. Gillespie C, D by B.A. Bennett and G by R.D. Bull.
The Cerastium alpinum L. aggregate, of which C. arcticum is a part, is a taxonomically complicated polyploid group (
The morphology of one collection (Oldenburg 42-33B), from Ulukhaktok, is somewhat intermediate between C. arcticum and C. alpinum. Cerastium alpinum differs from C. arcticum by having hairs on leaf blades and/or stems flexuous, often tangled, translucent and silvery (vs. hairs on leaf blades and/or stems straight, not tangled, and yellowish or straw-coloured) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9526 (
Cerastium beeringianum
Cham. & Schltdl., Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, Collinson P., Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Namaycush L., Peel Pt., Read I., Richard Collinson Inl., Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Burns L. (S): Edlund 47 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9842 (CAN, O), 9920 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10128b, 10174 (CAN), 10080 (ari, CAN), 10127 (CAN, O), Porsild 17386 (CAN). “Oldenburg L.”: Oldenburg 45-1341 (CAN). Peel Pt.: Edlund 420 (CAN), Prince Albert S. (N): Oldenburg 46-2285 (CAN). Richard Collinson Inl.: P. Jenness 16 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Edlund 344 (CAN), Gray & Gibbard 28 (
Cerastium regelii
Ostenf. (C. gorodkovianum Schischk.), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Collinson P., Hadley B., Namaycush L., Natkusiak P., Richard Collinson Inl. and Storkerson P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9567 (
Honckenya peploides
subsp. diffusa (Hornem.) Hultén (Arenaria peploides var. diffusa Hornem.), Figs
Previously recorded from Albert Edward B., Anderson B., Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, the head of Minto Inl., Read I. (Porsild obs., conf.) and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9645 (CAN, O). C. Wollaston: Edlund 23 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9916 (
Key to Sabulina [adapted from
1 | Leaves stiff, 3-nerved (visible in marcescent leaves); stems and pedicels stipitate-glandular | S. rubella |
– | Leaves 1-nerved or nerves not apparent; stems and pedicels glabrous | 2 |
2 | Inflorescences 2–3(–5)-flowered cymes or occasionally flowers solitary | S. stricta |
– | Inflorescences only with flowers solitary | 3 |
3 | Leaves imbricate, 2–4 mm; sepals oblong-ovate, 1.5–2.5 mm, 1-nerved; petals obovate to spatulate, 1.5–2× as long as sepals; dense cushion plants with flowers absent or few to abundant | S. rossii |
– | Leaves spreading to ascending, 3–10 mm; sepals ovate to lanceolate, 2–4 mm, 3-nerved; petals oblong to obovate, 0.8–1× as long as sepals; loosely caespitose plants with flowers mostly abundant | S. elegans |
Sabulina elegans
(Cham. & Schltdl.) Dillenb. & Kadereit (Arenaria elegans Cham. & Schltdl., Minuartia elegans (Cham. & Schltdl.) Schischk.), Fig.
Previously reported on Victoria I. only from Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Edlund 880 (CAN).
Sabulina rossii
(R.Br. ex Richardson) Dillenb. & Kadereit (Minuartia rossii R.Br. ex Richardson) Graebn.), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, the head of Prince Albert S., Ulukhaktok and northwestern Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9564 (ari, CAN). C. Wollaston: Edlund 38 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Edlund 547, 661 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9806, 9879 (CAN), 9892 (
Sabulina rubella
(Wahlenb.) Dillenb. & Kadereit (Minuartia rubella (Wahl.) Hiern), Figs
A Sabulina rubella habit, Gillespie et al. 7591 B Silene acaulis habit, Johansen Bay, NU, 20 July 2008 C Silene uralensis subsp. arctica habit D Stellaria humifusa habit, Gillespie et al. 8200 E Stellaria longipes habit, Johansen Bay, NU, 18 July 2008. Photos A, B, D, E by R.D. Bull and C by B.A. Bennett.
Previously recorded from south of Burns L., Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Namaycush L., the head of Prince Albert S., Read I., Ulukhaktok, Washburn L. and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9568, 9699 (CAN). Burns L. (S): Edlund 569, 569B (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9848, 9897, 9972 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10018 (
Sabulina stricta
(Sw.) Rchb. (Minuartia stricta (Sw.) Hiern), Fig.
Known from a single collection from the Johansen B. area; see details in
NUNAVUT. Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 7966 (
Key to Sagina [adapted from
1 | Flowers 5-merous, sometimes accompanied by 4-merous flowers; petals 2.5–3 mm, longer than or rarely equaling sepals,; primary basal rosette of leaves absent, secondary rosettes of linear leaves often present | S. caespitosa |
– | Flowers 4-merous, sometimes accompanied by 5-merous flowers; petals 1.5–2 mm, shorter than or equaling sepals; primary basal rosette of fleshy, subulate leaves present, secondary rosettes absent | S. nivalis |
Sagina caespitosa
Lange, Fig.
Previously recorded from Anderson B., the only record for the island and the western limit for the species (
NUNAVUT. Anderson B.: Edlund & Argus 12710 (CAN).
Sagina nivalis
(Lindblom) Fr. (S. intermedia Fenzl), Fig.
Previously recorded from the head of Minto Inl., the head of Prince Albert S., Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (Porsild obs.) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Minto Inl. (head): Porsild 17388 (CAN). Prince Albert S. (head): Porsild 17439 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Bennett et al. 13-0319 (BABY, CAN, chars), 14-0315 (CAN), Polunin s.n. (cf.) (CAN). Storkerson P.: Edlund 180 (CAN).
Key to Silene [adapted from
1 | Plants mat- or cushion-forming, 2–5 cm high, petals bright pink, rarely white, styles 3 | S. acaulis |
– | Plants tufted, 4–30 cm high; petals white to pink or dusky purple-red; styles 5 | 2 |
2 | Calyces inflated; petals dusky purple-red; flowers nodding (S. uralensis) | 3 |
– | Calyces not inflated; petals white, pink or purple-tinged; flowers erect | 4 |
3 | Calyces strongly inflated, in fruit becoming globose or broader than long; petals much emerging from calyx | S. uralensis subsp. arctica |
– | Calyces weakly inflated, in fruit usually longer than broad; petals slightly emerging from the calyx | S. uralensis subsp. uralensis |
4 | Calyces elliptic to campanulate; seeds not winged, 0.6–1 mm wide; capsules slightly longer than calyx | S. ostenfeldii |
– | Calyces campanulate or ovate; seeds winged, 1–1.5 mm wide, wing to ½ seed diam.; capsules equalling calyx (S. involucrata) | 5 |
5 | Calyces 10–20 mm in fruit; flowering stems sturdy, usually < 20 cm, internodes equaling or shorter than leaves | S. involucrata subsp. involucrata |
– | Calyces 8–10(–12) mm in fruit; flowering stems slender, usually > 30 cm, internodes longer than leaves | S. involucrata subsp. tenella |
Silene acaulis
(L.) Jacq., Figs
Species distribution maps. Caryophyllaceae: A Silene acaulis B Silene involucrata subsp. involucrata C Silene involucrata subsp. tenella D Silene ostenfeldii E Silene uralensis subsp. arctica F Silene uralensis subsp. uralensis G Stellaria crassifolia H Stellaria humifusa I Stellaria longipes. Amaranthaceae: J Suaeda calceoliformis. Montiaceae: K Montia fontana.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, C. Wollaston, the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Pelly, Natkusiak P., the north side of Prince Albert S., Read I. (Porsild obs., conf.), Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9528 (
Silene involucrata
(Cham. & Schltdl.) Bocquet subsp. involucrata (Melandrium affine (J.Vahl ex Fr.) J.Vahl), Fig.
The species was previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl., Read I., Wollaston P., Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Edlund 583 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9624 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9738 (CAN), 9922 (
Silene involucrata
subsp. tenella (Tolm.) Bocquet, Fig.
This is a boreal-low Arctic taxon, known from Cambridge Bay, Clouston B., Kuujjua R., Read I. and Ulukhaktok. Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic recorded from Banks I. and mainland sites, based on recently-revised specimens at CAN following taxonomy of
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9993 (CAN), 9737 (
Silene ostenfeldii
(A.E.Porsild) J.K.Morton (Melandrium ostenfeldii A.E.Porsild), Fig.
Previously recorded from Walker B. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9530 (
Silene uralensis
subsp. arctica (Th.Fr.) Bocquet (Melandrium apetalum subsp. arcticum (Fr.) Hultén), Figs
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Burns L. (S): Edlund 66 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Edlund 655 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9825 (CAN), 9839 (ari, CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 55 (CAN). Richard Collinson Inl.: Edlund 703 (CAN), Stretton 216 (
Silene uralensis
(Rupr.) Bocquet subsp. uralensis (Melandrium apetalum (L.) Fenzl, M. apetalum subsp. arcticum (Fr.) Hultén), Fig.
Taxonomy of Silene uralensis follows
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9516 (CAN, O), 9566 (ari, CAN), 9689 (
Key to Stellaria [adapted from
1 | Leaf blades firm, thin to coriaceous, not succulent, often glaucous, keeled, with midrib prominent | S. longipes |
– | Leaf blades soft, succulent or ± succulent, not glaucous, not keeled, with midrib obscure | 2 |
2 | Sepals narrowly lanceolate-triangular, prominently 3-veined, 3–3.5(–4) mm; petals 2.5–5 mm; pedicels 3–40 mm, sharply angled below the capsule; capsules longer than sepals; seeds rugose; plants delicate, slender, straggling or loose tangled mats, fresh green, of wet meadows | S. crassifolia |
– | Sepals lanceolate, 1–3-veined, 4–5 mm; petals 4–6 mm; pedicels 5–10 mm, not sharply angled below the capsule; capsules equal to sepals; seeds smooth to slightly rugose; plants low mats, often pinkish, of seashores | S. humifusa |
Stellaria crassifolia
Ehrh., Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Edlund 327, 507, 819, 911 (CAN), Porsild 17283 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Stephens 1154 (CAN), 1156, 1204 (CAN,
Stellaria humifusa
Rottb., Figs
Previously recorded from Albert Edward B., Cambridge Bay (Porsild obs., conf.), Collinson P., Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Natkusiak P., head of Prince Albert Sound (Porsild obs.), Read I. (Porsild obs., conf.), Storkerson P. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9634 (ari, CAN, O). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9919 (CAN, O). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 152 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10194 (CAN), 10246 (
Stellaria longipes
Goldie (S. arenicola Raup, S. stricta Richardson, S. subvestita Greene, S. crassipes Hultén, S. monantha Hultén, S. edwardsii R.Br., S. laeta Richardson), Figs
Previously recorded from south of Burns L., Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., “Long L.”, Namaycush L., the north side of Prince Albert Sound, Read I., Storkerson P., Ulukhaktok, Washburn L. and Wollaston P. (Porsild obs.) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9521, 9574 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9585 (
Suaeda Forssk. ex J.F. Gmel. [1]
Suaeda calceoliformis
(Hook.) Moq., Fig.
Known from Boot Inl., Johansen B., the head of Minto Inl. and Oterkvik Pt., with these populations representing the species’ northern range limit. Additional information is provided in
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9662 (CAN, O). Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10243 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 8068 (
Montia L. [1]
Montia fontana
L., Fig.
Known from a single collection gathered in the Ulukhaktok area in 1949 (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Porsild 17286 (CAN).
Ericales
Primulaceae [2/3]
Key to Primulaceae
1 | Corolla campanulate, lavender; leaf blades glabrous | Primula |
– | Corolla rotate, white; leaf blades pubescent | Androsace |
Key to Androsace [adapted from
1 | Plants perennial, mat-forming, 2–15 cm high; leaves in multiple rosettes; blades obovate; flowers (1–)2–5 per inflorescence; petals 6–9 mm | A. chamaejasme subsp. andersonii |
– | Plants annual or biennial, not mat-forming, (2–)5–30 cm high; leaves in single rosette; blades linear or lanceolate; flowers 3–16 per inflorescence; petals 4–4.5 mm | A. septentrionalis |
Androsace chamaejasme
subsp. andersonii (Hultén) Hultén, Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay (Porsild obs.), Cambridge Bay/Mt. Pelly, Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl. (Porsild obs.), Read I., Ulukhaktok and the “south coast” (Rae, K) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18691 (
Androsace septentrionalis
L., Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, C. Colborne, C. Wollaston, Ferguson L., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, the head of Prince Albert S., Richard Collinson Inl., Read I. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18754 (
Primula stricta
Hornem., Fig.
Previously recorded from Read I. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Edlund 519, 827 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 7997 (CAN, O,
Key to Ericaceae [adapted from
1 | Herbs; leaves basal (or appearing so); petals distinct | 2 |
– | Shrubs or subshrubs; leaves cauline; petals connate (distinct in Empetrum) | 3 |
2 | Inflorescences symmetric racemes, usually erect; calyx lobes (2.2–)2.8–6 mm; corolla crateriform to broadly campanulate; petals obovate to round, 6–10(–11) mm, without basal tubercles | Pyrola grandiflora |
– | Inflorescences secund racemes, often lax in bud or flower, becoming ± erect in fruit; calyx lobes 0.5–1.5 mm; corolla suburceolate; petals broadly ovate, 4.5–6 mm, with 2 inconspicuous basal tubercles | Orthilia secunda subsp. obtusata |
3 | Ovaries inferior; fruits baccate | Vaccinium |
– | Ovaries superior; fruits drupaceous or capsules | 4 |
4 | Fruits drupaceous | 5 |
– | Fruits capsular | 6 |
5 | Leaves whorled or spirally arranged, blades linear, oblong or elliptic; inflorescences solitary flowers; drupes black | Empetrum |
– | Leaves alternate, blades ovate, obovate or oblanceolate; inflorescences racemes, 2–7-flowered; drupes black-purple, brick red or scarlet | Arctous |
6 | Corollas broadly funnelform or ± rotate; anthers without awns; fruit dehiscence septicidal | Rhododendron |
– | Corollas cylindric or globose-urceolate; anthers with awns; fruit dehiscence loculicidal | 7 |
7 | Stems decumbent to erect, forming dense mats; leaves closely imbricate, blades narrowly triangular, 3–6 mm; inflorescences axillary, solitary flowers; corollas white to yellowish | Cassiope tetragona |
– | Stems ascending or spreading; leaves not closely imbricate, blades linear to narrowly elliptic or oblong, (10–)20–50 mm; inflorescences terminal, umbelliform corymbs, 2–8-flowered, sometimes flowers solitary; corollas pink | Andromeda polifolia |
Andromeda polifolia
L., Fig.
Species distribution maps. Ericaceae: A Andromeda polifolia B Arctous alpina C Arctous rubra D Cassiope tetragona subsp. tetragona E Empetrum nigrum F Orthilia secunda subsp. obtusata G Pyrola grandiflora H Rhododendron lapponicum I Rhododendron tomentosum subsp. decumbens J Vaccinium uliginosum K Vaccinium vitis-idaea subsp. minus.
Known from a single collection from Johansen B., marking the northern edge of the species’ range in the central Arctic; see additional details in
NUNAVUT. Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 8002 (
Key to Arctous [adapted from
1 | Leaf blades 4–15 mm, surfaces rugose, hairy toward base and on petiole (hairs 1–2 mm); twigs clothed with persistent old leaves or petioles; corolla lobes 0.5 mm; fruits black-purple; stones 2.7–4.6 × 2–3.6 mm | A. alpina |
– | Leaf blades (10–)15–30(–60) mm, surfaces not or only slightly rugose, glabrous; twigs bare of old leaves; corolla lobes 1 mm; fruits brick red or scarlet; stones 2.5–3 × 1.6–2.2 mm | A. rubra |
Arctous alpina
(L.) Nied. (Arctostaphylos alpina (L.) Spreng.), Fig.
Previously recorded from the head of Minto Inl. and Ulukhaktok (Porsild obs., conf.) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. C. Wollaston: Edlund 40 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Porsild 17403, 17413 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Dutilly 18682 (
Arctous rubra
(Rehder & E.H.Wilson) Nakai (Arctostaphylos rubra Rehder & E.H.Wilson), Figs
A Arctous rubra habitat, Gillespie et al. 9884 B Arctous rubra habit, Gillespie et al. 7714 C Cassiope tetragona subsp. tetragona habit, Oterkvik Point, NU, 3 July 2008 D Orthilia secunda subsp. obtusata habit, Gillespie et al. 8712 E Pyrola grandiflora subsp. grandiflora habit, Gillespie et al. 7967 F Rhododendron lapponicum Kuujjua River, NT, 16 July 2010. Photos A, B by L.J. Gillespie C, D, F by R.D. Bull and E by P.C. Sokoloff.
Previously recorded from Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, the north side of Prince Albert S., Richard Collinson Inl., Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Edlund 584, 585 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9587 (
Cassiope tetragona
(L.) D.Don subsp. tetragona, Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, “Long L.”, the head of Minto Inl. (Porsild obs., conf.), Richard Collinson Inl., Ulukhaktok, Washburn L. (Porsild obs., conf.) and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18742 (
Empetrum nigrum
L., Fig.
Previously known only from Ulukhaktok, based on an observation by Porsild (
NUNAVUT. Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 7968 (
Orthilia secunda
subsp. obtusata (Turcz.) Böcher (Pyrola secunda var. obtusata Turcz.), Figs
Previously recorded from C. Peel and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9793 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Porsild 17323, 17324, 17325 (CAN). NUNAVUT. C. Peel: Edlund 1 (CAN). Greiner L.: Ponomarenko VI-102, VI-400, VI-451 (CAN). Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 8036 (
Pyrola grandiflora
Radius subsp. grandiflora, Figs
Previously recorded from Boot Inl., Cambridge Bay, “Long L.”, Mt. Bumpus, the head of Prince Albert S. (Porsild obs.), south-central Victoria I., Washburn L. (Porsild obs.) and Ulukhaktok.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Edlund 579 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9808 (CAN, MT, O), 9953 (CAN), 9956 (
Key to Rhododendron [adapted from
1 | Inflorescences 3–6-flowered; corollas rose or purple (rarely white), broadly funnelform, (6.5–)7.5–14(–15) mm, petals connate 3/4+ their lengths; capsules basipetally dehiscent; leaf blades oblong-elliptic, elliptic, ovate or obovate, 2–7(–9) mm wide; flowers fragrant | R. lapponicum |
– | Inflorescences 10–35-flowered; corollas white to cream, ± rotate, 2–8 mm, petals appearing distinct or slightly connate basally; capsules acropetally dehiscent; leaf blades linear, 1–2 mm wide; flowers not fragrant | R. tomentosum subsp. decumbens |
Rhododendron lapponicum
(L.) Wahlenb. (R. lapponicum subsp. alpinum (Glehn.) A.P.Khokhr.), Figs
Previously recorded from Richard Collinson Inl., Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9803 (CAN, O). Richard Collinson Inl.: Edlund 197 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Bliss s.n. (
Rhododendron tomentosum
subsp. decumbens (Aiton) Elven & D.F.Murray (Ledum decumbens (Aiton) Lodd. ex Steud., L. palustre var. decumbens Aiton, L. palustre subsp. decumbens (Aiton) Hultén, Figs
Previously recorded from Ulukhaktok (Porsild obs.) (
NUNAVUT. Ferguson L. [Tahiryuaq]: Bennett et al. 14-0418 (BABY, chars). Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 7849 (
Key to Vaccinium [adapted from
1 | Leaves deciduous, blades usually glaucous abaxially, green to glaucous adaxially; inflorescences axillary; berries blue, 6–8 mm diam | V. uliginosum |
– | Leaves persistent, blades pale and glandular abaxially, bright green adaxially; inflorescences terminal; berries red, 8–10 mm diam | V. vitis-idaea subsp. minus |
Vaccinium uliginosum
L. (V. uliginosum subsp. microphyllum (Lange) Tolm.), Figs
A Rhododendron tomentosum subsp. decumbens habitat, Gillespie et al. 7849 B Rhododendron tomentosum subsp. decumbens habit, Gillespie et al. 7849 C Rhododendron tomentosum subsp. decumbens inflorescence, Gillespie et al. 7849 D Vaccinium uliginosum habit E Vaccinium vitis-idaea subsp. minus habit, Gillespie et al. 8037. Photos A, B, C by L.J. Gillespie D by B.A. Bennett and E by R.D. Bull.
Previously recorded from “Long L.”, the head of Minto Inl. (Porsild obs.), Mt. Bumpus, Murray Pt. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9796 (
Vaccinium vitis-idaea
subsp. minus (Lodd., G.Lodd. & W.Lodd.) Hultén, Figs
Previously recorded from Walker B., based on an observation by H. Larsen reported in
NUNAVUT. Ferguson L. [Tahiryuaq]: Bennett et al. 14-0420 (CAN). Johansen B.: Gillespie et al. 7830 (CAN), 8037 (
Rubiaceae [1/1]
Galium L. [1]
Galium aparine
L., Figs
Species distribution maps. Rubiaceae: A Galium aparine. Gentianaceae: B Gentianella propinqua subsp. propinqua C Lomatogonium rotatum subsp. rotatum. Boraginaceae: D Mertensia drummondii E Mertensia maritima subsp. tenella. Plantaginaceae: F Hippuris lanceolata G Plantago canescens. Lentibulariaceae: H Pinguicula vulgaris subsp. vulgaris.
A Galium aparine habit, Saarela and Teeter 5295 B Gentianella propinqua subsp. propinqua habit, Gillespie et al. 9619 C Lomatogonium rotatum subsp. rotatum habit, Gillespie et al. 8109 D Mertensia maritima subsp. tenella habitat, Saarela & Bull 1469 E Hippuris lanceolata habit, Johansen Bay, NU, 18 July 2008 F Plantago canescens habit, Gillespie et al. 8103. Photos A, B, D by J.M. Saarela and C, E, F by R.D. Bull.
A single small vegetative plant was found growing in Cambridge Bay, in 2017, in heavily disturbed ground with several introduced grasses (Festuca rubra, Poa pratensis subsp. pratensis and Lolium perenne) and the native Descurainia sophioides. We suspect the bedstraw was a contaminant of the mixed seed from which we assume the grasses originated, as there are no other records of this non-native, annual taxon for the community. Whatever its origin, this is the first record for Nunavut. It is unknown, however, if the species persists; our collection may have extirpated it from the territory.
NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Saarela & Teeter 5295 (CAN).
Key to Gentianaceae [adapted from
1 | Corollas tubular, petals connate 2/3+ their length; plants of dry sunny slopes and herbmats | Gentianella propinqua subsp. propinqua |
– | Corollas rotate, petals connate only near base; plants of imperfectly drained moist areas, lake shores, and saline areas | Lomatogonium rotatum subsp. rotatum |
Gentianella propinqua
(Richardson) J.M.Gillett subsp. propinqua (Gentiana arctophila Griseb.), Figs
Previously recorded from Boot Inl., C. Wollaston, Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9605 (CAN), 9619 (CAN). C. Wollaston: Edlund 10 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Edlund 629 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9907 (CAN, O), 9921 (CAN, O). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 159 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10168 (
Lomatogonium rotatum
(L.) Fr. subsp. rotatum, Figs
Previously recorded from Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9629 (CAN, O). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9930 (CAN, O). Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10195 (
Boraginaceae [1/2]
Mertensia Roth [2]
Key to Mertensia [adapted from
1 | Petals purple and blue, 6–7.5 mm; sepals 1–2.5 mm; stems decumbent or spreading; leaf blades ± fleshy, glaucous, glabrous, apices obtuse or rounded; a seashore species | M. maritima subsp. tenella |
– | Petals blue, 10–15 mm; sepals 0.9–1.1 mm; stems erect or ascending; leaf blades not fleshy, not glaucous, with short, stiff hairs on the margins and adaxially, apices acute; not a seashore species | M. drummondii |
Mertensia drummondii
(Lehmann) G.Don., Fig.
Previously recorded from Wollaston P., where gathered in 1915 (
Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic this globally rare species is known from only the Croker R. delta and Clifton Point, Nunavut and C. Young, Northwest Territories (
NUNAVUT. Wollaston P.: D. Jenness 410 (CAN).
Mertensia maritima
subsp. tenella (Th.Fr.) Elven & Skarpaas, Figs
Previously recorded from Anderson B., C. Wollaston, the head of Minto Inl., the north side of Prince Albert S. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9627 (
Plantaginaceae [2/2]
Key to Plantaginaceae [adapted from
1 | Plants aquatic; leaves distributed along the stems, whorled; flowers solitary, axillary; petals absent; stamens 1; fruit an achene | Hippuris lanceolata |
– | Plants terrestrial; leaves basal; inflorescences oblong-ovate spikes on leaf-less scapes petals present; stamens 4; fruit a capsule | Plantago canescens |
Hippuris lanceolata
Retz., Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, the head of Prince Albert S. and Ulukhaktok (Porsild observation, as H. vulgaris L.; conf.) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18720 (
Plantago canescens
Adams, Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay (Augustus Hills area), the head of Minto Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9534 (CAN, O). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9829, 9927 (CAN, O). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 146 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10028 (ari, CAN, O), 10120, 10134 (CAN), 10264 (
Pinguicula L. [1]
Pinguicula vulgaris
L. subsp. vulgaris, Fig.
Known from multiple collections gathered in 2008 and 2010 at Clouston B., Kuujjua R. and Johansen B., and an unvouchered report; see
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9878, 9880 (CAN), 9967 (CAN, O). NUNAVUT. Clouston B.: Gillespie et al. 7718 (
Key to Orobanchaceae [adapted from
1 | Leaves pinnately lobed; bracts of inflorescence greenish | Pedicularis |
– | Leaves entire or with up to 5 linear to lanceolate lobes; bracts of inflorescence pink, red, purple, yellow, yellow-green or pale-whitish | Castilleja |
Key to Castilleja [adapted from
1 | Inflorescences mostly pink or purple, bracts sometimes whitish distally, rarely mostly white | C. elegans |
– | Inflorescences mostly to entirely yellow, yellow-green or cream, sometimes with a dull purplish wash on some bracts and/or on lower lip of corollas | C. caudata |
Castilleja elegans
Malte (C. pallida subsp. elegans (Malte) Pennell, Figs
A Castilleja elegans habit, Gillespie et al. 9822 B Castilleja elegans habit (left) and inflorescence (right), Gillespie et al. 9606 C Pedicularis albolabiata habit, Gillespie et al. 7792 D Pedicularis arctoeuropaea habit, Gillespie et al. 9628 E Pedicularis arctoeuropaea habitat, Gillespie et al. 9628 F Pedicularis capitata habit, Gillespie et al. 9992 G Pedicularis lanata habit, Kuujjua River, NT, 15 July 2010. Photos A, C–E by L.J. Gillespie and B, F, G by R.D. Bull.
Previously recorded from Albert Edward B., Byron B., Cambridge Bay, the west end of Diamond Jenness P., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9606 (CAN). Byron B.: Dushenko s.n. (UVIC). Diamond Jenness P. (W end): Stretton 83 (
Castilleja caudata
(Pennell) Rebrist. (C. pallida var. caudata (Pennell) B.Boivin), Fig.
Not recorded for Victoria I. by
NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Bennett et al. 14-0382 (
Key to Pedicularis [adapted from
1 | Corollas yellow, 3–4 cm; inflorescences of 2–4 flowers; stems emerging from a thin, spindly rhizome | P. capitata |
– | Corollas pink to purple, 1–3 cm; inflorescences of 10–30 flowers; stems emerging from a stout rootstock or a taproot | 2 |
2 | Stems scapose, from a branching rootstock | 3 |
– | Stems leafy, from a central taproot | 4 |
3 | Inflorescences glabrate to white lanate; corolla lips white to pale pink; galeas dark purple recurved, and appressed to lip; petioles of basal leaves long (approx. 2–3× length of blade) | P. albolabiata |
– | Inflorescences usually yellowish-white lanate; corolla lips pink; galeas only slightly darker pink, not recurved or appressed to lip; petioles of basal leaves shorter (approx. 0.5–1.2× length of blade) | P. arctoeuropaea |
4 | Taproot deep lemon-yellow; inflorescences densely white-woolly, hairs often obscuring the calyces; flowers deep-pink to purple | P. lanata |
– | Taproot pale yellow; inflorescences glabrous to densely hairy but calyces still visible; flowers pale pink to purple | 5 |
5 | Style hidden inside galea; anthers 0.8–2.0 mm; galea teeth absent or short (0–0.5 mm); corolla pale pink; inflorescence moderately to densely hairy | P. hirsuta |
– | Style protruding 0.5–3.0 mm from tip of galea; anthers 2.0–3.2 mm; galea teeth longer (0.2–0.7 mm); corolla deep pink to purple; inflorescence glabrate to moderately hairy (rarely densely hairy) | P. langsdorffii subsp. arctica |
Pedicularis albolabiata
(Hultén) Kozhevn (P. sudetica subsp. albolabiata Hultén), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl., Mt. Bumpus, Namaycush L. and Richard Collinson Inl. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9520 (
Pedicularis arctoeuropaea
(Hultén) Molau & D. F. Murray (P. sudetica subsp. arctoeuropaea Hultén), Figs
Previously recorded from Richard Collinson Inl. and Storkerson P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9625 (CAN), 9628 (
Pedicularis capitata
Adams, Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., “Long L.”, the head of Minto Inl. (Porsild obs., conf.), Mt. Bumpus, Mt. Pelly, Prince Albert S. (Porsild obs.), inland from the head of Prince Albert S., Tahoe L. (Porsild obs.), Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9509 (
Pedicularis hirsuta L., Fig.
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Walker B.: Oldenburg 45-1522A (CAN).
Pedicularis lanata
Willd. ex Cham. & Schltdl., Figs
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, Greely Haven, Hadley B., the head of Minto Inl. (Porsild obs., conf.), Namaycush L., the head of Prince Albert S. (Porsild obs., conf.), Read I., Richard Collinson Inl., Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9508 (CAN), 9677 (
Pedicularis langsdorffii
subsp. arctica (R.Br.) Pennell ex Hultén (P. arctica R.Br.), Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl. (Porsild obs., conf.), the head of Prince Albert S. (Porsild obs., conf.), Read I. (Porsild obs.) and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9519 (CAN, O), 9625 (CAN, mixed with P. arctoeuropaea). Burns L. (S): Edlund 65 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9798 (
Asteraceae [13/25/26]
Key to Asteraceae [adapted from
1 | Heads liguliflorous (all florets ligulate [bisexual with zygomorphic corollas]) | 2 |
– | Heads not liguliflorous (not all florets ligulate, ray flowers when present pistillate or neuter) | 3 |
2 | Heads 5–80+, born in cymiform arrays; florets 9–12 per head | Askellia pygmaea |
– | Heads born singly; florets (15–)30–85+ per head | Taraxacum |
3 | Heads composed of central disc florets and marginal ray florets | 4 |
– | Heads composed entirely of disc florets | 12 |
4 | Rays yellow | 5 |
– | Rays white, pink or purple | 7 |
5 | Leaves mostly opposite, distal-most ones sometimes alternate | Arnica angustifolia |
– | Leaves alternate | 6 |
6 | Phyllaries glabrous or sparsely puberulent adaxially, tips black | Senecio lugens |
– | Phyllaries villous adaxially, tips green or yellowish green, sometimes pinkish | Tephroseris |
7 | Pappi of bristles (at least in part) | 8 |
– | Pappi of scales, or lacking | 11 |
8 | Basal leaf blades sagittate, deltate or reniform to cordate; heads appearing before the leaves | Petasites frigidus subsp. frigidus |
– | Basal leaf blades lanceolate, oblanceolate, spatulate or linear (finely divided in Tripleurospermum); heads appearing after the leaves | 9 |
9 | Phyllaries in (1–)2(–3) series; corollas of disc florets 2.4–5 mm; style-branch appendages deltate | Erigeron |
– | Phyllaries in 3–4(–5) series; corollas of disc florets 5–8.1 mm; style-branch appendages lanceolate | 10 |
10 | Leaf blade apices pointed, margins often dentate, sometimes entire, abaxial surfaces glabrescent to scabridulous, sparsely villous along veins, adaxial surfaces sparsely to ± densely villous or villoso-strigose; corollas of ray florets 0.8–1.8 mm wide, pappus dark cinnamon or reddish tan; involucres 6–9 mm | Eurybia sibirica |
– | Leaf blade apices obtuse to blunt, margins entire, abaxial and adaxial surfaces sparsely woolly; corollas of ray florets 2–3.2 mm wide, pappus whitish or yellowish; involucres 9–12.5 mm | Symphyotrichum pygmaeum |
11 | Plants (0.6–)1–12 cm; leaves all or mostly basal, basal ones marcescent, blades linear, not lobed; involucres 4–6.5 mm diam. | Hulteniella integrifolia |
– | Plants 10–50(–80) cm; leaves basal and cauline, none marcescent, blades oblong, 1–3-pinnately lobed; involucres 8–12+ mm diam. | Tripleurospermum maritimum subsp. phaeocephalum |
12 | Pappus of scales or lacking | Artemisia |
– | Pappus of bristles | 13 |
13 | Leaf blades (1–)2–3(–4)-ternately lobed or dissected | Erigeron compositus |
– | Leaf blade entire, subentire, coarsely dentate or subpinnatifid | 14 |
14 | Phyllaries in (1–)2 series, equal | Tephroseris |
– | Phyllaries in 3–6+ series, unequal | Antennaria |
Key to Antennaria [adapted from
1 | Heads usually borne singly, rarely in 2s or 3s | A. monocephala subsp. angustata |
– | Heads usually 2–6, rarely borne singly | 2 |
2 | Basal leaf blades spathulate-oblanceolate, densely and loosely strigose-tomentose on both surfaces; stems not stipitate-glandular | A. media subsp. compacta |
– | Basal leaf blades linear-lanceolate to spathulate-lanceolate, abaxial surfaces tomentose, adaxial green-glabrescent to gray-pubescent; stems stipitate-glandular, hairs purple | A. friesiana subsp. friesiana |
Antennaria friesiana
(Trautv.) Ekman subsp. friesiana (A. ekmaniana A.E.Porsild), Fig.
Species distribution maps. Asteraceae: A Antennaria friesiana subsp. friesiana B Antennaria media subsp. compacta C Antennaria monocephala subsp. angustata D Arnica angustifolia subsp. angustifolia E Artemisia borealis subsp. borealis F Artemisia borealis subsp. richardsoniana G Artemisia hyperborea H Artemisia tilesii I Askellia pygmaea J Erigeron compositus K Erigeron eriocephalus L Erigeron humilis.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay (Augustus Hills area) and Ferguson L. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9684 (CAN, O). Ulukhaktok: Oldenburg 45-1715 (CAN), Edlund 756 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Edlund & Argus 12855 (CAN). Ferguson L.: Hainault 2102A (
Antennaria media
subsp. compacta (Malte) Chmiel. (A. compacta Malte), Figs
Previously recorded from the head of Minto Inl., the head of Prince Albert S., Ulukhaktok and Walker B. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9592b (CAN), 9622 (CAN, MT, O). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9732 (
Antennaria monocephala
subsp. angustata (Greene) Hultén, Figs
A Antennaria media subsp. compacta habit, Gillespie et al. 9622 B Antennaria media subsp. compacta basal rosettes, Gillespie et al. 9622 C Antennaria monocephala subsp. angustata inflorescences D Arnica angustifolia subsp. angustifolia habit, Gillespie et al. 9607 E Artemisia tilesii inflorescence F Artemisia tilesii habit. Photos A, B by L.J. Gillespie C, E, F by B.A. Bennett and D by R.D. Bull.
Newly recorded for Victoria I. based on collections from Cambridge Bay (Long Point area) and Ulukhaktok. Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic recorded from Banks, Coats, Devon, Melville and Nottingham islands and mainland sites (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Edlund 733, 842 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Bennett et al. 13-0303 (BABY, CAN,
Arnica angustifolia
Vahl subsp. angustifolia (Arnica alpina subsp. angustifolia (J.Vahl) Maguire), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay (Augustus Hills), Kuujjua R., the head of Minto Inl., Ulukhaktok, Washburn L. and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Edlund 578 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 9545, 9598 (CAN), 9607 (
Key to Artemisia [adapted from
1 | Plants rhizomatous; leaf blades coarsely pinnately lobed, 2–5(–6) cm wide | A. tilesii |
– | Plants cespitose; leaf blades finely and deeply 1–3-pinnately or -palmately lobed, 0.4–1 cm wide | 2 |
2 | Involucres broadly campanulate, 4.5–8 mm wide; corollas funnelform; leaves densely covered in silvery or whitish hairs | A. hyperborea |
– | Involucres hemispheric, 3.5–4 mm wide; corollas subglobose; leaves sparsely to densely covered in whitish or pale yellowish hairs, glabrate or glabrous (A. borealis) | 3 |
3 | Plants glabrous, glabrate or sparsely hairy; corollas 2.2–3 mm, usually yellow-orange (at least lobes) | A. borealis subsp. borealis |
– | Plants densely hairy; corollas 3–3.5 mm, deep red (at least lobes) | A. borealis subsp. richardsonii |
Artemisia borealis
Pall. subsp. borealis, Fig.
Previously recorded from C. Wollaston, the head of Minto Inl., the north side of Prince Albert S. (voucher not located), Read I. and northwestern Wollaston P. (voucher not located) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. C. Wollaston: Edlund 31 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10292 (
Artemisia borealis
Pall. subsp. richardsoniana (Besser) Korobkov (Artemisia richardsoniana Besser), Fig.
Previously recorded from C. Wollaston, the head of Minto Inl., the north side of Prince Albert S., Read I., Ulukhaktok and Walker B. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. C. Wollaston: Edlund 19B (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Dutilly 18840 (
Artemisia hyperborea
Rydb., Fig.
Previously recorded from the head of Minto Inl., Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. C. Baring: Edlund 414 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Dutilly 18841 (
Artemisia tilesii
Ledeb., Figs
Newly recorded from Victoria I., where known from one collection from Johansen B. and two from Cambridge Bay. The Cambridge Bay collections, taken in 2013, were discovered growing in a disturbed lot near Elk’s Lodge with Descurainia sophioides, Saxifraga cernua and Puccinellia sp. (likely P. nuttalliana) and at the Defence Early Warning station in disturbed gravel at top of gray water outfall. Our 2008 collection was made on the Johansen B. airstrip, growing on sandy gravel substrate. Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic recorded from Banks I. and mainland sites (
NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Bennett 13-0299 (
Askellia pygmaea
(Ledeb.) Sennikov (Crepis nana Richardson, Askellia nana (Richardson) W.A.Weber), Figs
A Askellia pygmaea habit, Gillespie et al. 10087 B Erigeron compositus habit, Gillespie et al. 9832 C Erigeron eriocephalus habit, Gillespie et al. 10189 D Erigeron eriocephalus inflorescences, Gillespie et al. 10189 E Erigeron humilis habit, Gillespie et al. 8087 F Erigeron humilis inflorescence, Gillespie et al. 8087. Photos A, C–F by R.D. Bull and B by L.J. Gillespie.
Previously recorded from Byron B., “Jackpot L.”, the head of Minto Inl. and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9525 (CAN, O). “Jackpot L.”: Porsild 17506 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 597, 70 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10087 (
Key to Erigeron [adapted from
1 | Leaf blades (1–)2–3(–4)-ternately deeply lobed or dissected | E. compositus |
– | Leaf blades not lobed or dissected | 2 |
2 | Ray laminae erect, filiform, 3–6(–8) × 0.3–1 mm | E. porsildii |
– | Ray laminae spreading, strap-shaped, 13–17 × 1.2–1.7 mm | 3 |
3 | Hairs of phyllaries and distal stems with dark reddish to blackish-purple cross walls; phyllaries strigoso-hirsute, usually dark purple; involucres 6–9 × 10–15(–20) mm; cypselae 2.2–2.5 mm | E. humilis |
– | Hairs of phyllaries with clear or sometimes bright reddish cross walls; phyllaries densely lanate (hairs tangled, soft), reddish purple; involucres 8–10(–11) × (10–)15–20(–30) mm; cypselae 1.8–2.2 mm | E. eriocephalus |
Erigeron compositus
Pursh, Figs
Previously recorded from the head of Minto Inl., the west end of Diamond Jenness P., the north side of Prince Albert S. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9529 (CAN, O). Diamond Jenness P.: Stretton 86 (
Erigeron eriocephalus
J.Vahl (Erigeron uniflorus subsp. eriocephalus (J.Vahl) Cronquist), Figs
Previously reported from south of Burns L., east of the head of Prince Albert S., the head of Minto Inl. (Porsild obs., conf.) and Ulukhaktok (Porsild obs.) (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Burns L. (S): Edlund 557, s.n. (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 599, 89 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10137 (
Erigeron humilis
Graham, Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Edlund 574 (CAN). Wollaston P. (NW): Edlund 371 (CAN). NUNAVUT. “30-Mile Cr.”: Bennett et al. 14-0330 (
Erigeron porsildii
G.L.Nesom & D.F.Murray (Erigeron grandiflorus subsp. arcticus A.E.Porsild), Fig.
Species distribution maps. Asteraceae: A Erigeron porsildii B Eurybia sibirica C Hulteniella integrifolia D Petasites frigidus subsp. frigidus E Senecio lugens F Symphyotrichum pygmaeum G Taraxacum ceratophorum H Taraxacum holmenianum I Taraxacum hyparcticum J Taraxacum phymatocarpum K Taraxacum scopulorum L Tephroseris frigida.
Known only from Ulukhaktok, the type locality (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Ulukhaktok: Porsild 17341 (CAN), 17342 (holotype CAN; isotypes
Eurybia sibirica
(L.) G.L.Nesom (Aster sibiricus L.), Fig.
Collected on the Wollaston P. by D. Jenness in 1915, during the Canadian Arctic Expedition (
NUNAVUT. Wollaston P.: Johansen 349a (CAN).
Hulteniella integrifolia
(Richardson) Tzvelev (Arctanthemum integrifolium (Richardson) Tzvelev, Chrysanthemum integrifolium Richardson, Dendrathema integrifolium (Richardson) Tzvelev, Leucanthemum integrifolium (Richardson) DC.), Figs
A Hulteniella integrifolia habit, Minto Inlet, NT, 2 July 2010 B Petasites frigidus subsp. frigidus habit (left), inflorescence, (upper right) and basal leaf (lower right), Gillespie et al. 9752 C Symphyotrichum pygmaeum habit, Gillespie et al. 9883 D Symphyotrichum pygmaeum habitat, Gillespie et al. 9883 E Taraxacum ceratophorum habit, Gillespie et al. 9745 F Taraxacum ceratophorum inflorescence, Gillespie et al. 9745. Photos A, C by R.D. Bull and B, D–F by L.J. Gillespie.
Previously recorded from Byron B., Cambridge Bay, Hadley B., Kuujjua R., Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18696 (
Petasites frigidus
(L.) Fr. subsp. frigidus, Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9600 (CAN, O), 9610 (
Senecio lugens
Richardson, Fig.
Newly reported from Victoria I. Collected at “Long L.” in 1964. This is the only record of the taxon in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Elsewhere in the Canadian Arctic recorded from numerous western mainland sites as far east as the Coppermine R. valley, Nunavut (
NUNAVUT. “Long L.”: Lambert s.n. (CAN) (Suppl. material
Symphyotrichum pygmaeum
(Lindl.) Brouillet & Selliah (Aster pygmaeus Lindl., A. sibiricus subsp. pygmaeus (Lindl.) Á.Löve & D.Löve, A. sibiricus var. pygmaeus (Lindl.) Cody, Eurybia pygmaeus (Lindl.) G.L.Nesom), Figs
Previously recorded from Read I. and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9630 (
Key to Taraxacum [adapted from
1 | All or some phyllary apices notably horned; calyculus bractlets notably horned | T. ceratophorum |
– | Phyllary apices usually hornless (sometimes callous or horns relatively small); calyculus bractlets usually hornless or horns relatively small | 2 |
2 | Corollas pink (sometimes ± bronze when fresh) or cream-coloured to white or pink distally, abaxially pinkish-striped; involucres 15–30 mm; calyculi horned | T. hyparcticum |
– | Corollas pale to dark yellow; involucres (6–)9–14 mm (–15(–20) mm in T. holmenianum); calyculi hornless | 3 |
3 | Leaf blade margins usually entire or toothed to denticulate (sometimes somewhat runcinate and then mostly irregularly and shallowly triangular-lobed); corollas pale yellow, sometimes lemon-coloured; cypselae dark brown, grayish or blackish, muricate 1/2–3/4+ | T. phymatocarpum |
– | Leaf blade margins runcinate, regularly and usually deep triangularly-lobed; corollas yellow to dark yellow; cypselae usually yellowish to brown or reddish brown, sometimes grayish, muricate in distal 1/2 or less | 4 |
4 | Plants 1–5 cm; leaves fewer than 10, blades (1–)1.5–4 cm; phyllaries 8–12 in two series, corollas yellow, 7.5–8.8 mm; cypsela bodies 2.8–3.5 mm, distal conical part 0.5–0.6 mm; pappi 4.8–5.5 mm | T. scopulorum |
– | Plants 5–15(–20) cm; leaves 10+, blades (1.5–)2–6(–9) cm; phyllaries ca. 14 in two series; corollas dark yellow, 15–20 mm; cypsela bodies 3.5–4.2 mm, distal conical part 0.9–1.1 mm; pappi 5.5–6.5 mm | T. holmenianum |
Taraxacum ceratophorum
(Ledeb.) DC. (T. lacerum Greene), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9546 (
Taraxacum holmenianum
Sahlin (T. pumilum Dahlst.), Fig.
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, C. Baring, Mt. Bumpus, Namaycush L., the head of Prince Albert S. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. C. Baring: Edlund & Nixon 412 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9833 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Gillespie et al. 10088 (CAN). Prince Albert S. (head): Porsild 17447 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Bennett et al. 13-0275 (BABY, CAN, chars, od,
Taraxacum hyparcticum
Dahlst., Figs
A Taraxacum hyparcticum habit (left), Gillespie et al. 9746, inflorescences (right), Saarela & Bull 1441 B Taraxacum phymatocarpum habit, Gillespie et al. 9698 C Taraxacum scopulorum habit, Gillespie et al. 9835 D Tephroseris frigida habitat (left) and habit (right), Minto Inlet, NT, 25 July 2010 E Tephroseris palustris subsp. congesta habit F Tephroseris palustris subsp. congesta habitat, Gillespie et al. 8195 G Tripleurospermum maritimum subsp. phaeocephalum habit, Gillespie et al. 8215. Photos A left, C, F by L.J. Gillespie, and A right, B, D, E, G by R.D. Bull.
Specimens mapped from Cambridge Bay and Ulukhaktok by
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9595 (CAN), 9681 (
Taraxacum phymatocarpum
J.Vahl, Figs
See comments re: taxonomy under previous species. Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, C. Colborne, an unnamed lake ca. 60 mi. N of Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl., Namaycush L., Read I., Richard Collinson Inl. and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Gillespie et al. 9592a, 9698 (CAN). C. Wollaston: Edlund 18 (CAN). Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9535, 9847 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Edlund 85, 86 (CAN), Gillespie et al. 10021 (CAN, MT), 10066 (CAN), 10076 (
Taraxacum scopulorum
(A.Gray) Rydb., Figs
Newly recorded for Victoria I., where known from Colville Mts., Kuujjua R., “Oldenburg L.” and Oterkvik Pt. Taxonomy follows
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9835 (CAN, MT). “Oldenburg L.”: Oldenburg 45-1353 (CAN). NUNAVUT. Colville Mts.: Gillespie et al. 7767 (CAN). Oterkvik Pt.: Gillespie et al. 7630 (CAN, MT).
Key to Tephroseris [adapted from
1 | Annuals or biennials, rhizomes lacking, stems single, 20–100 cm; leaf blades oblanceolate to linear-oblanceolate or spatulate, 5–15 × 0.5–3(–5) cm; mid-stem leaves prominent, not bractlike; heads (4–)6–20(–40+) | T. palustris subsp. congesta |
– | Perennials, rhizomatous, stems loosely clustered, (5–)10–20(–30) cm; leaf blades ovate, 1.5–3 × 1–2 cm; midstem leaves bractlike; heads 1(–2) | T. frigida |
Tephroseris frigida
(Richardson) Holub (Senecio frigidus (Richardson) Less., S. atropurpureus (Ledeb.) B.Fedtsch.), Figs
Previously recorded from C. Baring, the head of Minto Inl., Prince Albert P., Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Boot Inl.: Dutilly 18693 (CAN,
Tephroseris palustris
subsp. congesta (R.Br.) Holub (Senecio congestus R.Br.), Figs
Previously recorded from Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl., Read I. (Porsild obs., conf.), Ulukhaktok and Wollaston P. (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Kuujjua R.: Gillespie et al. 9904 (CAN). Minto Inl. (head): Porsild 17426 (CAN). Ulukhaktok: Edlund 496 (CAN), 809 (CAN), Oldenburg 45-1708 (CAN), Saarela & Bull 1448 (CAN, MT, O). NUNAVUT. Cambridge Bay: Dutilly 28175 (
Tripleurospermum maritimum
subsp. phaeocephalum (Rupr.) Hämet-Ahti (Matricaria ambigua (Ledeb.) Krylov, M. maritima subsp. phaeocephala (Rupr.) Rauschert), Figs
Previously recorded from Berkeley Pt., Cambridge Bay, the head of Minto Inl. (Porsild obs.), the head of Prince Albert S. (Porsild obs.), Read I. (Porsild obs., conf.) and Ulukhaktok (
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES. Berkeley Pt.: Stretton 91 (
Eremogone capillaris
(Poir.) Fenzl var. capillaris (Arenaria capillaris Poir.)–
Carex holostoma
Drejer–
Carex lachenalii
Schkuhr–A record mapped by
Draba borealis
DC.–Mapped in
Hippuris vulgaris L.–Previous records of this species from Victoria I. have been redetermined as H. lanceloata; see comments under that taxon.
Poa alpina
L.–Mapped from southeastern Victoria I. in
Salix cordifolia
var. callicarpaea (Trautv.) Fernald (=Salix glauca var. cordifolia (Pursh) Dorn)–Reported from the head of Minto Inl. by
Salix fuscescens Andersson–See comments under S. planifolia.
Solidago multiradiata
Aiton–Mapped in
We are grateful to Rob Rainbird and Jean Bédard of the Geological Survey of Canada, who in 2010 facilitated access for our team to the Victoria Island GEM (Geo-Mapping for Energy and Minerals) Project camp at the head of Minto Inlet. We also thank Gary Okheena for assisting us with our 2010 fieldwork. Dorothy Fabijan (
List of 19th Century collections gathered on Victoria Island by Andersson (Cambridge Bay, Minto Inlet, Cambridge Bay & Minto Inlet, and Prince Albert Sound), Miertsching (Prince Albert Sound) and Rae (“south coast”), summarized from
Data type: species list
Dataset of voucher specimens documenting vascular plant diversity on Victoria Island, Nunavut and Northwest Territories, Canada
Data type: species list
Vascular plants recorded from Victoria Island
Data type: species list
Explanation note: Taxa are listed by major clade and then alphabetically by family. The dataset records whether or not each taxon is recorded in Northwest Territories and Nunavut, eight sites on the island that have explored comprehensively (NWT: Ulukhaktok, Boot Inlet, Kuujjua River, the head of Minto Inlet; NU: Oterkvik Point, Johansen Bay, Sinclair Creek, Cambridge Bay) and Ovayok Territorial Park, Nunavut. The table also records present or absence of each taxon in Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Map bioclimate subzones C and D, northern and southern areas of subzone C, areas of subzone D east and west of Wellington Bay, ecological regions of the Northwest Territories portion of Victoria Island, taxon rank, and the total number of collections for each taxon included in the dataset.
Image of collection of Bromus pumpellianus from “Long Lake”, Victoria Island, Nunavut (Lambert s.n., CAN-529365/ CAN 10009718)
Data type: image
Explanation note: Photo credit: Jasmine Lai, Canadian Museum of Nature.
Image of collection of Pulsatilla nuttalliana from “Long Lake”, Victoria Island, Nunavut (Lambert s.n., CAN- 529362/ CAN 10048735)
Data type: image
Explanation note: Photo credit: Wilson Wang, Canadian Museum of Nature.
Images of three collections of Lupinus arcticus from “Long Lake”, Victoria Island, Nunavut (Lambert s.n., CAN-529350/ CAN 10071815, CAN-529326/ CAN 10071817, CAN-529355/ CAN 10071816)
Data type: image
Explanation note: Photo credit: Annie Dicaire, Canadian Museum of Nature.
Image of collection of Rubus chamaemorus from “Long Lake”, Victoria Island, Nunavut (Lambert s.n., CAN-529339/ CAN 10070345)
Data type: image
Explanation note: Photo credit: Wilson Wang, Canadian Museum of Nature.
Photographs of tree-sized stand of Salix alaxensis at the head of Minto Inlet in 1982 taken by Sylvia A. Edlund
Data type: image
Explanation note: Source: Canadian Museum of Nature Archival Fond CMNAC/2015-006.
Image of collection of Salix ovalifolia var. ovalifolia from the vicinity of Ferguson Lake [Tahiryuak], Victoria Island, Nunavut (Hainault 2022,
Data type: image
Explanation note: Photo: National Collection of Vascular Plants, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Image of collection of Salix planifolia from “Long Lake”, Victoria Island, Nunavut (Lambert s.n., CAN-529349/ CAN 10024243)
Data type: image
Explanation note: Photo credit: Galyna Vakulenko, Canadian Museum of Nature.
Image of collection of Erysimum coarctatum from “Long Lake”, Victoria Island, Nunavut (Lambert s.n., CAN-529364/ CAN 10057248)
Data type: image
Explanation note: Photo credit: Wilson Wang, Canadian Museum of Nature.
Image of collection of Senecio lugens from “Long Lake”, Victoria Island, Nunavut (Lambert s.n., CAN-529359/ CAN 10089218)
Data type: image
Explanation note: Photo credit: Erin Howard, Canadian Museum of Nature.