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Distinguishing Features – Sciurus vulgaris is considered to be one of the most physically variable mammals of the palearctic region, at least in physical appearance. The coat color of these squirrels varies from light-red to black on their heads and backs, and all, except those that have black coats, have white fur on their stomachs. … Read more
General – wide-spreading masses; dark- to bright-green or yellowish-green; up to 10 cm tall. Leaves – stem leaves egg- to heart-shaped, with a long tapered and pointed tip. Sporophytes – cylindrical, curved capsules, horizontal to hanging; stalks reddish-brown. Habitat On humus, mineral or organic soils, rotting logs and stumps; mostly in fresh to wet, moderately … Read more
Distinguishing Features – Overall colouration, highly variable, usually a shade ofbrown (rarely gray, red, or greenish). There are black spots on the upperside which contain one or two warts; these black spots often have a white border. Oval partoid gland behind each eye. Underside, white or yellowish, mottled with black. Usually a light mid dorsal … Read more
Distinguishing Features – Medium sized. Colouration, shiny black dorsal color that may vary from dark blue-black to a lighter gray-black; conspicously marked with light blue flecks on the sides and tail. Four toes on front feet and five toes on hind feet. Costal grooves number 12. Size 10 – 14 cm (4 – 5.5 in) … Read more
Distinguishing Features – Most familiar frog of Northwestern Ontario. large. Overall colouration, varying shades of green or brown; round black spots scattered randomly about the back and on the sides. Underside, plain white. Two light ridges down run along length of back. Forelimbs, spotted; hind legs, striped. Size 8.9 cm (3.5 in) Habitat Common throughout … Read more
General – dark green, robust, unbranched, 4 – 15 cm tall or more; single-sexed, males have enlarged heads at plant tips, females produce sporophytes; lower portion covered by grey rhizoids. Leaves – 6 – 10 mm long, lance-shaped, sharply pointed; spread at right angles when moist, erect-flattened and rolled when dry; membranous, sheathing base; edges … Read more
Distinguishing Features – Non-venomous. Overall colouration, light brown to black with two alternating rows of black spots. Three longitudinal stripes run length of body; dorsal stripe is usually yellow. Lateral stripes are cream to yellow and are located on the second and third scale rows. A row of black spots usually occurs below the lateral … Read more
The balsam poplar is the northernmost North American hardwood. Other names are tacamahac, cottonwood, or heartleaf balsam poplar. General – medium to large-sized, averaging 23 – 30 m (75 – 100 ft) high, broadleaved hardwood. Crown narrow, pyramidal with thick, ascending branches. Branchlets moderately stout, round, shiny reddy-brown, orange lenticels, buds are reddish-brown to brown, … Read more
General – green to golden-green, 3 – 12 cm long; branches somewhat upright to drooping, symmetrical, feather, tapered; plumes ‘well-groomed’; forms decorative mats. Leaves – branch leaves pleated, egg-shaped, to 2 mm long, all curled towards branch below; stem leaves pleated, curled towards stem base. Sporophytes – stalk reddish, 2 – 4.5 cm long; capsule … Read more
The red pine is also called Norway pine. It is one of the most extensively planted species in the northern United States and Canada. General – large-sized, averaging 23 – 32 m (75 – 105 ft) high, evergreen conifer. Crown sparse, oval, over a straight, limbless trunk with little taper. Branches spreading with foliage tufted … Read more