Vancouver, renowned for its lush greenery, harbors a diverse array of plants beyond the towering cedars and firs that often steal the spotlight. Here are five intriguing insights into the city’s botanical landscape:
1. Local Carnivorous Plants
In contrast to their exotic jungle portrayal in pop culture, carnivorous plants thrive locally in Metro Vancouver. Recently, scientists identified Triantha, a plant that employs a unique method to trap insects near its flowers. This species extracts nutrients from trapped insects while allowing larger pollinators like bees to escape. Other local carnivorous plants include the round-leaved sundew and common butterwort, each adapted to consume insects in their own distinct ways.
2. Unexpected Kiwi Plants in Coal Harbour
Despite their exotic origin in China, kiwi plants flourish in an unlikely setting: a park in Coal Harbour. While the fruits, technically berries, grow abundantly in Marina Park, the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation advises against consuming them due to insufficient ripening.
3. UBC’s Rare Physic Garden
At the UBC Botanical Garden lies a hidden gem: the Harold and Frances Holt Physic Garden. These gardens, historically dedicated to medicinal and drug-producing plants, have dwindled over time, making UBC’s collection a rare find. Visitors can explore plants with medicinal histories, though caution is advised as some species are poisonous.
4. The Secret Garden of Point Grey
Nestled at West 14th Avenue and Courtenay Street, the Erickson Garden pays homage to Arthur Erickson, Vancouver’s esteemed architect. Managed by the Arthur Erickson Foundation, this contemplative garden features reflective waters, lush rhododendrons, ferns, bamboo, and grasses. Although typically not open to the public, guided tours offer glimpses into this tranquil urban oasis.
5. Vancouver’s Stinkiest Plant
Known affectionately as “Uncle Fester,” the Amorphophallus titanum plant in Vancouver is as rare and distinctive as its namesake from the Addams Family. Famous for its infrequent and odorous blooms resembling rotting flesh, this species is a spectacle when it flowers. While usually housed offsite, the Bloedel Conservatory occasionally exhibits Uncle Fester during these remarkable events.
Vancouver’s botanical diversity continues to surprise and enchant, showcasing a rich tapestry of plant life beyond its iconic trees. Whether uncovering carnivorous wonders or exploring historic gardens, the city’s flora offers a glimpse into nature’s intriguing adaptations right in our urban midst.
