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Musk Mallow
Late summer is such a wonderful time on PEI. Warm days and comfortably cool nights, water temperatures perfect for swimming, and an...
katemacquarrie22
Aug 27, 20252 min read


Milkweed
Some PEI plants are revered while others are reviled, but today’s plant is both. Meet Common Milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca ). Our Island...
katemacquarrie22
Aug 20, 20253 min read


Canada Germander
The Mint Family ( Lamiaceae ) is well represented on PEI, with about 25 species known in the wild (along with a few hybrids and...
katemacquarrie22
Aug 6, 20252 min read


Heal-all
Have you noticed any purple-flowered plants in your lawn or nearby areas? On PEI, most of these – Creeping Charlie, Hemp Nettle, or...
katemacquarrie22
Aug 3, 20252 min read


Chicory
PEI’s midsummer roadsides are lined with colourful wildflowers. White, yellow, gold, pink, purple, and brown are common, but blue stands...
katemacquarrie22
Jul 30, 20252 min read


Valerian
PEI has various species of tall, white-flowered plants growing in our roadside ditches. Many are members of the Carrot Family ( Apiaceae...
katemacquarrie22
Jul 27, 20253 min read


Hawkweeds
We often associate Asters with fall, but PEI has members of this family that flower in spring and summer too. Right now, the bright...
katemacquarrie22
Jul 16, 20252 min read


Sheep Laurel
This time of year, beautiful wildflowers are blooming in all of PEI’s habitats. Many people miss out on seeing those that thrive in bogs,...
katemacquarrie22
Jul 13, 20252 min read


Goatsbeard
PEI has several yellow wildflowers that are sometimes mistaken for Dandelions. In early spring it’s Coltsfoot; in summer, it’s the...
katemacquarrie22
Jul 9, 20252 min read


Partridgeberry
There are a few PEI plants that I’m always especially happy to find. One of those is the lovely Partridgeberry ( Mitchella repens ). ...
katemacquarrie22
Jul 6, 20252 min read


Blue-flag Iris
PEI has showy wild plants that outshine any domestic blooms I can think of. One flowering now is the lovely Blue-flag Iris ( Iris...
katemacquarrie22
Jun 29, 20252 min read


Dame's Rocket
Lupins aren’t the only colourful wildflower decorating the Island’s roadside ditches in June. Dame’s Rocket ( Hesperis matronalis ) is...
katemacquarrie22
Jun 22, 20252 min read


Chokeberry
PEI has so many beautiful wild plants. One of my favourites is Black Chokeberry ( Aronia melanocarpa ), a shrub that has it all: lush...
katemacquarrie22
Jun 18, 20252 min read


Ground Ivy
Today’s PEI plant is one that many of you will be familiar with. This time of year, the scent of its flowers and sound of bees buzzing...
katemacquarrie22
Jun 11, 20252 min read


Magnolias
PEI’s Magnolia trees ( Magnolia spp.) are putting on an amazing show right now (Photo 1). You’re likely familiar with the beautiful...
katemacquarrie22
May 14, 20253 min read


Magnolia Flower Recipes
Magnolia flowers ( Magnolia spp.) aren’t just beautiful, they’re delicious! With a flavour that’s a combination of ginger, cloves, and...
katemacquarrie22
May 14, 20252 min read


Coltsfoot
Some of the Island’s earliest spring wildflowers appear on their plants before the leaves. From the subtle blooms of Red Maple and Beaked...
katemacquarrie22
Apr 13, 20253 min read


Abuzz about Bees
Welcome back to Ask a Naturalist, your own personal Google for information on all things natural on PEI. Today’s topic is courtesy of...
katemacquarrie22
Mar 30, 20255 min read


New Book Coming Soon!
My new book, Wild Foods of Prince Edward Island is coming out this spring and now available for pre-order. Published by The Acorn Press,...
katemacquarrie22
Feb 22, 20251 min read


Wild Rose
The Rose Family gives PEI so many beautiful and delicious plants: Apples, Blackberries, Chokeberries, Chokecherries, Raspberries,...
katemacquarrie22
Nov 27, 20243 min read
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