Top 20 Most Common Plants in Alberta

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Top 20 Most Common Plants in Alberta

In Alberta, you can find Common chokecherry, Red osier dogwood, Creeping bellflower, Box elder, Common yarrow, and more! There are 20 types of plants in total. Be sure to look out for these common plants when you’re walking on the streets, in parks, or public gardens.

Most Common Plants

Common chokecherry

1. Common chokecherry

Prunus virginiana, commonly known as common chokecherry, is a deciduous small tree or suckering shrub often confused with chokeberry, due to similarities in the looks of their fruits. The fruits of both species are known for their rich antioxidant content. Common chokecherry plays an important ecological role as a larval host for numerous moth species.

Red osier dogwood

2. Red osier dogwood

Red osier dogwood is a thicket-forming shrub with attractive dark red winter stems. This plant produces yellow flowers in early summer and fruit late in the fall. Over ninety-eight species of birds rely on this plant for food or shelter. Native Americans used red osier dogwood branches to weave baskets.

Creeping bellflower

3. Creeping bellflower

Creeping bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides) is a perennial plant native to Europe and Siberia. Creeping bellflower grows in the wild in meadows, grassy areas, and forests and is considered an invasive species in Canada.

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Box elder

Box elder (Acer negundo) is a type of maple tree native to North America, but which is now found throughout the world. It is a hardy, medium-to-large tree that grows quickly and has a relatively short lifespan of up to 60 years. Older trees are prone to storm damage. Box elder wood is relatively flimsy because the tree grows so fast.

Common yarrow

5. Common yarrow

Common yarrow is a wildflower that has feathery leaves and flowers in white, yellow or pink. In China, the plant is considered to be good luck while for some time in Scotland it was believed to have magical properties. It has been brewed into beer, tea, and liquors, but it has low toxicity. Do not consume in large quantities. Common yarrow's bitter leaves are toxic to pets and horses. Other livestock can eat it, though it gives cow milk an unpleasant flavor.

Western serviceberry

6. Western serviceberry

A large shrub with edible berries, the western serviceberry is both beautiful and delicious. Pretty white flowers appear first, followed by green leaves which turn to yellowish red in the fall. Berries appear in late summer and turn a deep blue shade when ripe.

Golden pothos

7. Golden pothos

The golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a popular houseplant that is commonly seen in Australia, Asia, and the West Indies. It goes by many nicknames, including "devil's ivy", because it is so hard to kill and can even grow in low light conditions. Golden pothos has poisonous sap, so it should be kept away from pets and children.

Creeping thistle

8. Creeping thistle

This aggressive weed spreads across grasslands and fields via underground roots that creep horizontally, some for more than 5 m. It can cause major problems to agriculture if its growth is left unchecked. Its seeds feed many birds as well as pest insects. Creeping thistle is generally considered a noxious weed even in its native territory.

Lambsquarters

9. Lambsquarters

Lambsquarters has many other names, including pigweed, goosefoot, and bacon weed. This plant seems to appear out of nowhere and is considered by many to be a pesky weed. However, the greens of this plant are edible, can be prepared similar to spinach, and are packed with nutrients.

Quaking aspen

10. Quaking aspen

Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) is a tree native to North America also commonly referred to as the trembling aspen or the golden aspen. Quaking aspen is the state tree of Utah in the United States. In the wild, quaking aspen attracts quail, beavers, rabbits, deer, sheep, and goats.

Field pennycress

11. Field pennycress

Field pennycress has many distinct uses. Although it is not normally suitable for human consumption due to its bitter taste, the plant is used as fodder for livestock. In addition, the oil from field pennycress has been found to be a highly suitable renewable source for biodiesel and jet fuel.

Common tansy

12. Common tansy

Common tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is a plant native to Europe and Asia. The common tansy has been introduced in other global regions and is sometimes considered to be an invasive species. The common tansy can be used as a substitute for sage.

Starry false lily of the valley

13. Starry false lily of the valley

Starry false lily of the valley (Maianthemum stellatum) is a native North American flower that flourishes in a wide range of environments. Starry false lily of the valley produces bright green berries that turn crimson as the season progresses. Those become food sources for grouse, bears, elk, and other wildlife.

Shrubby cinquefoil

14. Shrubby cinquefoil

Shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa) is a plant species that is also referred to by the alternative latin name Potentilla fruticosa. The shrubby cinquefoil is very popular in Japan for use as a bonsai tree. 14 cultivars of this species have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Tomato

Solanum lycopersicum is an annual or perennial herbaceous vine native to Central and South America that produces a large, juicy, edible fruit known as tomato. Today there are over 10000 cultivated varieties. Although tomato is the world’s most popular vegetable, botanically it is a fruit.

Silverberry

16. Silverberry

The silverberry (*Elaeagnus commutata*) is a hardy ornamental shrub with multiple uses. The fruit is edible and contains vitamins A, C, and E, as well as essential fatty acids, which are rarely found in fruit. The fruit is valuable winter food for grouse, moose, deer and elk. This plant fixes nitrogen in the soil and increases fertility.

Red raspberry

17. Red raspberry

Red raspberry is a perennial forest shrub with elongated, thorny stems. The stems grow rapidly during their first year and bloom in their second year. The plant produces small, aggregate fruit that has a distinct aroma and a sweet-and-sour taste. Rubus idaeus cultivars are hybrids between this red raspberry and the American species R. Strigosus.

Eastern Pasqueflower

18. Eastern Pasqueflower

Eastern Pasqueflower is a small, clumping perennial with blue-violet bell-shaped flowers. The attractive blooms are followed by fluffy, striking seed heads. These pretty flowers are easy to grow in dry, sunny areas.

Snake plant

19. Snake plant

Snake plant can be considered a houseplant and an architectural display due to its sword-like leaves with bold striping patterns, which are distinctive and eye-catching. However, use caution with this plant because it is poisonous when ingested and can cause nausea, vomiting, and even swelling of the throat and tongue.

Common lilac

20. Common lilac

Common lilac is a shrub native to the Balkan Peninsula that blooms with a fragrant blossom. It grows on rocky terrain and has a suckering habit. The blossoms are used to flavor honey, sugars, food, and other delights and farmed for its fragrant flowers in the spring.

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More Plants in Alberta

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Most Common Toxic Plants

Alberta's diverse biomes, ranging from prairies to forests, create a conducive environment for the growth of toxic plants. Notably, , , and have found their niches within this region, raising ecological concerns due to their potential hazards to humans, livestock, and wildlife. Vigilance and management strategies are imperative in addressing the risks these toxic species pose to Alberta's ecological integrity.

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Most Common Flowers

Alberta, Canada is a hub for diverse landscapes with distinct climatic and soil dynamics that support the proliferation of native flowers. Three standout blossoms in this enchanting state are , , and . These flowers add to the aesthetic allure, cultural resonance, and ecological significance of Alberta. Reliable sources confirm the presence and importance of these remarkable blooms in the region.

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Most Common Flowers of Spring

As Alberta thaws, Spring breathes life into once-frozen landscapes, coaxing , , and from their slumber. These florae not only inject a kaleidoscope of color but also serve as heralds of warmth, reflecting the province's enduring resilience and natural beauty. In this rejuvenated tableau, these blooms are not merely sights to behold but symbols of the Albertan spirit, perennially rising anew.

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Most Common Spring Fruits

As Alberta awakens to Spring, the province is embroidered with the tender blush of fruit blossoms, setting the stage for a season of lush maturation. Amidst this renaissance of nature, the hardy bursts into life, its crisp produce a token of prairie resilience. The beloved soon follows, intertwining with local customs in its savory ascension. Not to be outshone, the adds to the symphony of flavors, heralding Spring's generosity in Alberta's fertile soils.

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Most Common Fruits

Alberta's diverse landscape, ranging from prairie grasslands to the foothills of the Rockies, and its varied climate, create unique niches where local fruit plants such as , , and can flourish. Long summer daylight hours and cold winter periods help some fruit varieties develop unique characteristics and hardiness. These fruit plants are not only integral to Alberta's ecological systems but also contribute to the cultural heritage and agricultural diversity of the state.

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Most Common Trees

Alberta, Canada boasts distinct climatic and soil dynamics that nurture the growth of native trees. Three representative trees, , , and , thrive in this land. These trees hold significant symbolic, cultural, and ecological importance within the boundaries of the state. Their presence contributes to the rich ecological essence of Alberta and showcases the resilience and beauty of its natural heritage.

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Most Common Weeds

Alberta's diverse climates, from temperate prairies to its frigid northern reaches, create a haven for hardy garden weeds. Among these, , , and stand out as pervasive green invaders. These species challenge gardeners, who battle their spread throughout urban and rural landscapes, signifying a relentless fight against botanical usurpers that thrive in Alberta's varied garden environments.

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Most Common Tall Trees

Alberta, Canada, with its varied climate and rich boreal forests, is the nurturing ground for some of the planet's most imposing tree species. Amidst the diverse biome, , , and rise as natural skyscrapers, punctuating the skyline with grandeur. These arboreal giants provide crucial ecosystems, symbolizing resilience and holding a revered place in the tapestry of Alberta's natural heritage.

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Most Common Flowers of Winter

Winter in Alberta, Canada, embraces a tranquil cold that seems inhospitable to most plant life. However, amidst the icy climate, there are several flowers that manage to bloom. , , and are native to this region and showcase their tenacity, allure, and symbolic significance. These winter-blooming flowers defy the odds, adding a touch of beauty and resilience to the frozen landscape of Alberta.

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