BATTLEFORD — Visitors to Fort Battleford got a closer look at the variety of plant life found on the prairies during a guided walk led by Troy Hunt. Hunt, who has worked at Fort Battleford for the past five years, shared information about both native and non-native plants growing in the area.
“There is something like 1,450 native or naturalized plant species in Saskatchewan,” said Hunt. He explained that some plant names sound very similar, which can cause confusion. That’s why scientists use Latin names — each plant has only one Latin name, which helps avoid mix-ups.
Participants spent over an hour walking through parts of the fort’s 42-acre property, observing prairie plants and grasses. All left with a better understanding of the local flora and a stronger connection to the land.
Hunt recommends the book Plant Identification Terminology: An Illustrated Glossary by James G. Harris and Melinda Woolf Harris for those interested in learning more.
The next time you head out to the wide open prairies, don’t forget to look down. You will see a wonderful display of flora. Before the snow falls, you will be treated to the natural colours of the flowers and the smell of sweet grasses.
The next Prairie Blossom tour with Troy Hunt will focus on Indigenous plant picking and harvesting. It takes place at Fort Battleford on Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. and costs $3.50 per person.
