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Top 20 Most Common Plants in Canada

In Canada, you can find Common buckthorn, Common milkweed, Box elder, Tomato, Golden pothos, 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.

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Most Common Plants
Common buckthorn
1. Common buckthorn
Rhamnus cathartica, colloquially known as common buckthorn, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to Europe. This plant is hazardous to humans and most animals; all parts of it are mildly poisonous. The fast-growing common buckthorn is considered an invasive species in certain parts of North America.
Common milkweed
2. Common milkweed
Asclepias syriaca, commonly known as common milkweed, is a flowering perennial herbaceous plant native to North America. It contains milky latex which can be toxic to sheep, cows, and other larger mammals (including humans) if it is consumed in large amounts. Many insect species are attracted to common milkweed, most notably monarch butterflies.
Box elder
3. 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.
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Tomato
4. 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.
Golden pothos
5. 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.
Pepper
6. Pepper
The pepper are commonly used for cooking in places such as the Southern U.S. and Central America. Most are moderately spicy, though because there are so many variants, the spice level can vary dramatically. Cayenne powder is also a popular seasoning product made from pepper plants.
Lambsquarters
7. 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.
Virginia creeper
8. Virginia creeper
The virginia creeper is a North American vine from the grape family that has it all - vigorous growth, fragrant flowers, decorative blue-colored berries, and leaves that turn crimson in the fall. Using small forked tendrils with adhesive pads, the virginia creeper will cling strongly to almost all surfaces. It can grow over entire walls, providing shelter and food for wildlife.
Bittersweet
9. Bittersweet
The species known as bittersweet is a semi-woody vine found in forests, marshes, shrublands, and hedgerows. All parts of the plant contain alkaloids (especially the bright red berries), which are extremely poisonous to humans and livestock if ingested. In spite of its toxicity, bittersweet was hung as a talisman in the past to ward off witchcraft.
Wild carrot
10. Wild carrot
The wild carrot is a common flowering plant with light, delicate flowers. Originally native to Europe and Asia, it has also spread to North America and Australia. Studies of historical paintings suggest that the wild carrot was cultivated in Turkey, Spain, and North Africa for centuries.
Corn plant
11. Corn plant
Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans) is an evergreen, slow-growing perennial shrub native to tropical Africa. Also, it is a classic houseplant, grown in Europe since the 1800s. Its glossy green foliage that resembles corn leaves grow on top of a thick cane, which is why the plant is sometimes called “false palm tree.”
Common lilac
12. 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.
Staghorn sumac
13. Staghorn sumac
The dried bobs of the staghorn sumac are occasionally used by beekeepers for their smokers. Except for the roots, all parts of the plant can be used to make dyes or dye mordants; the tannins in the sap help prevent the dye colors from fading. Luna moth caterpillars feed on Rhus typhina, and pheasants and wild turkeys pick at the fruits.
Snake plant
14. 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.
Garlic mustard
15. Garlic mustard
Alliaria petiolata, colloquially known as garlic mustard is a herbaceous biennial plant known for the garlic aroma and smell of its crushed leaves. It can be found in partially shaded and moist places like woodland edges, trails, hedges, and roadsides. Leaves of garlic mustard are used in European cuisine as a spice herb for salads and sauces.
Ditch lily
16. Ditch lily
The ditch lily is a perennial plant known for its captivating lily-like blooms. Its natural habitats are meadows and forests, but it is also a common garden plant in temperate regions around the world. Each individual flower lasts only a day, but the plant will bloom new ones for weeks. Ditch lily's young buds and flowers are edible either raw or cooked. As a bonus to vegetarians, the flowers contain more fats than most vegetables.
Common chokecherry
17. 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.
Arborvitae
18. Arborvitae
Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) is a small- to medium-sized evergreen conifer native to North America, and can be found in a variety of environments, including forested wetlands and along cliffs. Essential oils are produced using northern white cedar, and it also finds use as an ornamental plant. Due to its increasing popularity in landscaping, more compact plants have been used to develop smaller strains.
Coltsfoot
19. Coltsfoot
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) is a weedy member of the daisy family that has been historically used by indigenous peoples. It forms expansive root systems, making an infestation very hard to eradicate. Coltsfoot is different among plants in that its above-ground shoots produce flowers before growing leaves.
Spider plant
20. Spider plant
The spider plant is a green perennial plant with long, thin leaves that earn it another name, "ribbon plant." It has spread far from its native Africa because it is easy to care for. Since spider plants grow well in partial or full shade, they have become popular houseplants.
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More Plants in Canada

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Most Common Toxic Plants

Canada's diverse climates—ranging from temperate rainforests to arid prairies—create varied habitats conducive to an array of flora, including toxic plants. A number of these, such as , , and , thrive across different Canadian landscapes, raising ecological and health concerns. The prevalence of toxic plants in this region reflects a delicate balance between native species and introduced varieties that have acclimated to local conditions.

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Most Common Flowers

Canada's varied climate and rich soils nurture an array of native flowers, including the vibrant , the delicate , and the iconic . These blossoms not only adorn the landscape with their beauty but also hold significant symbolism and ecological value in local ecosystems. Reliable sources confirm the presence and importance of these distinctive flowers in Canada's natural environment.

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Most Common Flowers of Spring

As Canada shakes off its icy winter cloak, Spring breathes life into slumbering flora, coaxing a colorful pageant of flowers from the thawing earth. Among the first heralds are the , punctuating the landscape with vibrant hues. The delicate soon follows, symbolizing the season's ephemeral beauty. , with its significant prominence in Canadian gardens, unfurls its petals in a triumphant display of Spring's renewal.

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Most Common Spring Fruits

Spring in Canada unfurls a tapestry of blossoming flora and warming soils, coaxing fruit plants back to life. Amid this awakening, early harvests like rhubarb () break through the soil. Meanwhile, greenhouse-grown strawberries () hint at the sweetness of the coming summer. By the tail end of spring, cold-hardy cherries () begin to bud, promising tartness and vibrance. These fruits, reaped in the heart of spring's thaw, embody the season's fresh essence and renewal.

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Most Common Fruits

Canada offers a unique blend of cold-tolerant and fertile soil conditions that are crucial for nurturing a variety of local fruit plants. Among these, , , and are noteworthy, not only for their adaptability to the Canadian climate but also for their deep-rooted cultural significance. These plants serve as symbols of Canadian heritage, with each representing a fragment of the diverse agricultural mosaic that thrives across the country’s expansive landscapes.

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Most Common Trees

Canada's climatic and soil conditions make it ideal for the growth of various native trees. Three emblematic trees in this territory are , , and . These trees hold significant cultural and ecological value within the region. They contribute to the rich biodiversity of Canada's forests and showcase the country's natural beauty.

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Most Common Weeds

Canada's diverse climate, from cold winters to warm summers, cultivates a robust array of garden weeds. These invaders, such as , , and , exploit the fertile soils and varying weather conditions to proliferate. Gardeners across the nation often grapple with these persistent weeds, which pose a common challenge in maintaining healthy, aesthetically pleasing landscapes. Despite diligent efforts to manage them, these species remain a prevalent nuisance in Canadian gardens.

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Most Common Tall Trees

In Canada, diverse climatic zones and a tapestry of rugged terrains create a sanctuary for tall tree species. Amidst this natural grandeur, the coastal regions particularly nurture arboreal giants. The illustrious , the robust , and the majestic soar high into the skies, standing as natural emblems of the country's rich ecological tapestry. These towering trees not only exemplify the grandiosity of Canada's landscapes but also hold profound ecological and historical significance, anchoring the ancient woodlands that define much of the nation's wild expanses.

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Most Common Flowers of Winter

Winter in Canada is known for its serene cold and frosty environment. Despite the harsh conditions, some flowers bravely blossom in the chill. Among them are , , and . These resilient and beautiful flowers add a touch of color to the winter landscape, showcasing their symbolic depth and reminding us of the incredible resilience of nature in the face of adversity.

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