Mackenzie Delta & Inuvik Plant Field Guide

Region AT A Glance

Delta trees, tundra berries, wetland toxins and culturally important plants north of the Arctic Circle.

Filming region: Mackenzie River Delta near Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada Alone season(s): 11 Ecology: Arctic delta and taiga-tundra transition with white spruce islands, willow floodplain, peatland, lakes and tundra heaths

The Mackenzie Delta is a vast network of channels, lakes, peatlands and alluvial islands. White spruce can form surprisingly tall forests on better-drained islands, while black spruce, tamarack, willow and dwarf birch dominate colder or wetter ground. Tundra berries and sour greens may persist into autumn, but plant growth is slow and flood history can shift communities from one island to the next.

Field Priorities

• Use landform and drainage to predict plants: spruce on raised islands, willow on flood edges, berries on heaths and peat. • Never collect roots from delta marshes or white-umbel plants. • Learn bog rosemary before making any Labrador tea. • Leave dwarf shrubs and peat mats intact; recovery is exceptionally slow. • Local Gwich'in and Inuvialuit knowledge and harvest protocols take priority over general guidebook summaries.

Non-negotiable Plant Safety

Never consume a plant from one photo, one common name or one guide. Positive identification requires multiple traits and a reliable regional source. Do not experiment with medicinal dosing. For suspected poisoning, remove plant material from the mouth, preserve a sample or photo, contact emergency services or a poison centre, and do not induce vomiting unless directed.

Educational reference only - never consume or medicate from one source. Mackenzie Delta Plant Field Guide | 2

Positive Identification Protocol

Use a repeatable process. Confidence is built from independent features, not intuition.

1 1. Place

Record habitat, moisture, slope, elevation and nearby dominant plants.

2 2. Form

Decide tree, shrub, vine, herb, grass-like plant, fern or succulent.

3 3. Leaves

Check arrangement, shape, edge, veins, hairs, odor and underside.

4 4. Stem & Bark

Look for thorns, sap, pith, lenticels, buds, twig color and texture.

5 5. Flower / Fruit

Count petals, inspect clusters, seed structures and fruit attachment.

6 6. Cross-check

Match at least three reliable sources and rule out every dangerous look-alike.

AUTOMATIC STOP LIST DOCUMENTATION KIT

No tasting to identify. Photograph whole plant, leaf top and bottom, stem, bark, No wetland roots. flowers, fruit and habitat. Add a scale object. Record date, No unknown white umbels. location and confidence. Never let an AI label overrule a No unknown bulbs. regional botanist. No unknown milky sap. No medicinal experiments.

Educational reference only - never consume or medicate from one source. Mackenzie Delta Plant Field Guide | 3

Trees and Woody Plants

Identification, practical material properties and conservation cautions.

WHITE SPRUCE TREE / WOODY

Picea glauca

Identify

Sharp single needles with a pungent odor when crushed, flexible hanging cones and gray scaly bark; may be tall on raised delta islands. HABITAT & SEASON Well-drained alluvial islands, river terraces and sheltered valleys. Season: Year-round DOCUMENTED USE Strong poles, roots, carving wood and fuel. Spruce islands also indicate relatively firm, elevated ground. CAUTION Shallow permafrost and eroding banks can undermine trees. Do not strip living roots. LOOK-ALIKES Black spruce is narrower with shorter needles and smaller persistent cones.

BLACK SPRUCE TREE / WOODY

Picea mariana

Identify

Narrow spire crown, short four-sided needles and small dark cones that remain on branches. HABITAT & SEASON Peatlands, cold flats and poorly drained delta margins. Season: Year-round DOCUMENTED USE Small straight poles, sheltered dead twigs and resinous fuel. CAUTION Shallow roots create windthrow hazards. Smoky fires require ventilation. LOOK-ALIKES White spruce is fuller-crowned and favors better-drained islands.

Educational reference only - never consume or medicate from one source. Mackenzie Delta Plant Field Guide | 4

Trees and Woody Plants

Identification, practical material properties and conservation cautions.

TAMARACK TREE / WOODY

Larix laricina

Identify

Soft needles in clusters, tiny upright cones and yellow autumn foliage that drops before winter. HABITAT & SEASON Fens, wet lowlands and peat margins. Season: Year-round wood DOCUMENTED USE Rot-resistant poles, roots and frames; dry wood makes durable fuel. CAUTION Small trees can be old and slow-growing. Wet tamarack is difficult to ignite. LOOK-ALIKES Spruces keep needles in winter and have sharp single needles.

BALSAM POPLAR TREE / WOODY

Populus balsamifera

Identify

Tall tree with pointed leaves, pale undersides and sticky strongly aromatic buds; furrowed gray bark on older stems. HABITAT & SEASON Floodplains, channel banks and young alluvial islands. Season: Buds late winter to spring; wood year-round DOCUMENTED USE Light carving wood and quick fuel. Aromatic buds have documented traditional external uses. CAUTION Riverbank trees may be undercut. Bud resin can trigger salicylate or fragrance sensitivity. LOOK-ALIKES Willows usually have narrower leaves; aspen has rounder leaves on flattened stalks.

Educational reference only - never consume or medicate from one source. Mackenzie Delta Plant Field Guide | 5

Trees and Woody Plants

Identification, practical material properties and conservation cautions.

DWARF BIRCH TREE / WOODY

Betula glandulosa

Identify

Low many-branched shrub with small round toothed leaves, resin-dotted young twigs and tiny catkins. HABITAT & SEASON Tundra heaths, peatland margins and wind-exposed slopes. Season: Spring through fall leaves; twigs year-round DOCUMENTED USE Fine twigs make light brush, bedding and small bundles; dense patches can mark firmer hummocks. CAUTION Do not strip large areas for bedding. Shrubs are slow-growing and important snow traps. LOOK-ALIKES Dwarf willow leaves are often narrower; alder has larger cone-like catkins.

FELTLEAF WILLOW TREE / WOODY

Salix alaxensis

Identify

Tall shrub or small tree with long lance-shaped leaves, dark green above and densely white-felted beneath; flexible yellow-brown twigs. HABITAT & SEASON Riverbanks, floodplains, gravel bars and moist valleys. Season: Spring through fall leaves; twigs year-round DOCUMENTED USE Straight flexible rods for wattle, stakes, baskets and repair splints. Willow thickets can provide wind protection. CAUTION Flood edges may collapse. Do not self-dose bark; salicylate risks apply. LOOK-ALIKES Other willows are common; feltleaf is recognized by the strongly white-woolly underside.

Educational reference only - never consume or medicate from one source. Mackenzie Delta Plant Field Guide | 6

Documented Edible Plants

Documented foods only. Positive identification and safe preparation remain essential.

LINGONBERRY DOCUMENTED EDIBLE

Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Identify

Low evergreen shrub with leathery oval leaves, pale dots beneath and bright red berries with a crown. HABITAT & SEASON Open spruce woodland, tundra heath and peat hummocks. Season: Late summer through winter DOCUMENTED USE Ripe berries are documented food and often persist after frost. CAUTION Confirm evergreen leaves and fruit crown. Avoid animal-contaminated patches. LOOK-ALIKES Bearberry has mealy fruit and leaves with netted veins.

BOG BLUEBERRY DOCUMENTED EDIBLE

Vaccinium uliginosum

Identify

Low woody shrub with blue-green oval leaves and blue berries with a waxy bloom and crown. HABITAT & SEASON Tundra heath, peat margins and open taiga. Season: Late summer DOCUMENTED USE Ripe berries are documented food. CAUTION Check woody stems and fruit crown. Berry color alone is not enough. LOOK-ALIKES Bilberry has green angular stems and darker-staining flesh.

Educational reference only - never consume or medicate from one source. Mackenzie Delta Plant Field Guide | 7

Documented Edible Plants

Documented foods only. Positive identification and safe preparation remain essential.

CLOUDBERRY DOCUMENTED EDIBLE

Rubus chamaemorus

Identify

Low unarmed herb with rounded lobed leaves and a single amber-orange raspberry-like fruit. HABITAT & SEASON Peatlands, wet tundra and bog margins. Season: Mid- to late summer DOCUMENTED USE Fully ripe amber fruit is documented food and culturally important. CAUTION Unripe red fruit is firm and sour. Avoid trampling peat hummocks. LOOK-ALIKES Dwarf raspberry species may have more divided leaves and red fruit.

CROWBERRY DOCUMENTED EDIBLE

Empetrum nigrum

Identify

Creeping evergreen mat with tiny grooved needle-like leaves and shiny black berries. HABITAT & SEASON Wind-exposed tundra, gravel ridges, heaths and bog margins. Season: Late summer through winter DOCUMENTED USE Ripe berries are documented food, water-rich and persistent. CAUTION Low berries collect grit and animal contamination. Confirm creeping woody stems. LOOK-ALIKES Juniper has sharp needles in whorls and blue waxy cones.

Educational reference only - never consume or medicate from one source. Mackenzie Delta Plant Field Guide | 8

Documented Edible Plants

Documented foods only. Positive identification and safe preparation remain essential.

MOUNTAIN SORREL DOCUMENTED EDIBLE

Oxyria digyna

Identify

Low perennial with kidney-shaped leaves on long stalks and reddish branching flower/seed stems. HABITAT & SEASON Moist gravel, streambanks, talus and snowbed edges. Season: Summer DOCUMENTED USE Young leaves are documented sour food and a source of flavor in Arctic diets. CAUTION High oxalate content means small portions only; avoid with kidney disease. Confirm leaf shape and habitat. LOOK-ALIKES Young dock species may be similar but are larger and have different seed structures.

FIREWEED DOCUMENTED EDIBLE

Chamerion angustifolium

Identify

Tall colonies with narrow leaves, magenta four-petaled flowers and long silky-seeded capsules. HABITAT & SEASON River bars, burns, disturbed ground and open spruce woodland. Season: Young shoots spring; flowers summer DOCUMENTED USE Young shoots and leaves have documented food use after correct identification and cooking; dry stems yield light fiber. CAUTION Older shoots become tough. Do not identify very young shoots without leaves. LOOK-ALIKES Dwarf fireweed species are shorter and favor wet gravel but are generally similar at genus level.

Educational reference only - never consume or medicate from one source. Mackenzie Delta Plant Field Guide | 9

Toxic Plants - Avoid

High-consequence species to recognize before any gathering begins.

NORTHERN WATER HEMLOCK TOXIC - AVOID

Cicuta virosa

Identify

Wetland perennial with divided leaves, white umbrella flower clusters and thick chambered roots. HABITAT & SEASON Marshes, slow channels, lake margins and wet sedge meadows. Season: Spring through fall DOCUMENTED USE No use. Never dig or taste wetland roots. CAUTION Extremely poisonous and may cause seizures and death. Roots are especially dangerous. LOOK-ALIKES Angelica and other Apiaceae can resemble it. Expert identification is essential.

NORTHERN MONKSHOOD TOXIC - AVOID

Aconitum delphiniifolium

Identify

Deeply divided palmate leaves and blue-purple hood-shaped flowers. HABITAT & SEASON Moist tundra, river valleys and mountain meadows. Season: Summer DOCUMENTED USE No food or medicinal use. CAUTION All parts contain potent aconitine alkaloids and can cause fatal heart and nerve effects. LOOK-ALIKES Larkspurs have a rear spur but are also toxic.

Educational reference only - never consume or medicate from one source. Mackenzie Delta Plant Field Guide | 10

Toxic Plants - Avoid

High-consequence species to recognize before any gathering begins.

BOG ROSEMARY TOXIC - AVOID

Andromeda polifolia

Identify

Low evergreen bog shrub with narrow rolled-edge leaves pale beneath and small pink urn-shaped flowers. HABITAT & SEASON Sphagnum bogs and peat hummocks. Season: Year-round leaves DOCUMENTED USE No food or tea use. CAUTION Contains grayanotoxin-type compounds and may cause vomiting, dizziness and heart effects. LOOK-ALIKES Labrador tea leaves are broader and rusty-woolly beneath.

RED BANEBERRY TOXIC - AVOID

Actaea rubra

Identify

Woodland herb with divided leaves, white flower clusters and glossy red berries on stout stalks. HABITAT & SEASON Moist spruce woodland and rich river-valley sites near treeline. Season: Fruit late summer DOCUMENTED USE No food use. CAUTION Berries and roots are poisonous and can cause serious gastrointestinal and cardiovascular effects. LOOK-ALIKES Red berries on woody Vaccinium shrubs have simple leaves, not divided herb leaves.

Educational reference only - never consume or medicate from one source. Mackenzie Delta Plant Field Guide | 11

Traditional-use Plants

Published cultural or historical uses - not prescriptions or dosing advice.

LABRADOR TEA TRADITIONAL-USE

Rhododendron groenlandicum

Identify

Evergreen shrub with rolled-edge leaves densely rusty-woolly beneath and white flower clusters. HABITAT & SEASON Peatland margins and wet spruce forest. Season: Year-round leaves DOCUMENTED USE A culturally important documented beverage and traditional-use plant. CAUTION Strong or repeated infusions can cause illness. Bog rosemary must be ruled out. LOOK-ALIKES Bog rosemary is narrow and pale beneath; Labrador tea is rusty-woolly.

ALASKA WORMWOOD TRADITIONAL-USE

Artemisia tilesii

Identify

Tall aromatic perennial with gray-green divided leaves and many small greenish flower heads. HABITAT & SEASON River bars, disturbed soil, camps and moist tundra margins. Season: Summer through fall DOCUMENTED USE Documented northern Indigenous uses include aromatic washes, steam and external preparations. CAUTION Concentrated internal use is not recommended. Artemisia can interact with pregnancy, seizures and medications. LOOK-ALIKES Other wormwoods vary in leaf division; smell alone is not a complete identification.

Educational reference only - never consume or medicate from one source. Mackenzie Delta Plant Field Guide | 12

Traditional-use Plants

Published cultural or historical uses - not prescriptions or dosing advice.

YARROW TRADITIONAL-USE

Achillea millefolium

Identify

Aromatic finely divided leaves and flat white to pink flower clusters. HABITAT & SEASON Dry river gravel, trails and disturbed ground. Season: Summer through fall DOCUMENTED USE Published traditional uses include external washes and aromatic preparations; dry tops can be light tinder. CAUTION Allergy and anticoagulant concerns apply. Do not put dirty leaves on wounds. LOOK-ALIKES Poison hemlock is taller with hollow spotted stems and umbrella flowers.

MOUNTAIN AVENS TRADITIONAL-USE

Dryas integrifolia

Identify

Low evergreen mat with small leathery leaves, white flowers usually with eight petals and feathery seed heads. HABITAT & SEASON Calcareous gravel, tundra slopes and windswept ridges. Season: Summer flowers; leaves year-round DOCUMENTED USE Leaves have documented traditional beverage and medicinal uses in some northern communities; mats help stabilize gravel and indicate exposed, well-drained ground. CAUTION Do not uproot mats. Internal use is not recommended without local knowledge and medical guidance. LOOK-ALIKES Other Dryas species differ in leaf teeth and flower details; hybrids occur.

Educational reference only - never consume or medicate from one source. Mackenzie Delta Plant Field Guide | 13

Seasonal and Habitat Planning

Availability is local and variable. Use these patterns to plan observation, not to assume harvest.

PHASE WHAT TO EXPECT FIELD EMPHASIS

SPRING / THAW New shoots, flowers, catkins and wetland hazards become Learn leaves and flowers before fruit; avoid roots visible. and bulbs.

SUMMER / PEAK Maximum foliage; most edible greens and traditional-use Photograph multiple traits; note habitat and GROWTH herbs are identifiable. abundance.

AUTUMN / FRUIT & Most berries, hips, cones and seed structures mature. Confirm entire plant; leave food for wildlife and FROST regeneration.

WINTER / PERSISTENT Evergreen shrubs, bark, twigs, cones and persistent fruit Rely on woody traits; snow and frost obscure herb remain. identification.

HABITAT FORECAST HABITAT LIKELY PLANTS PRIMARY RISK

Dry ridge / exposed slope White spruce, Black spruce, Tamarack Windthrow, fire, protected slow-growing plants

Moist forest / sheltered Balsam poplar, Dwarf birch, Feltleaf willow Look-alikes, falling timber, poor visibility valley

Wetland / peat / stream edge Northern water hemlock, Northern monkshood Water hemlock or toxic bog shrubs; unstable ground

Open disturbance / camp Lingonberry, Bog blueberry, Cloudberry, Crowberry Contamination, invasive species, human edge chemicals

Seasonal Reality

A late frost, drought, fire, flood, browsing pressure or poor flowering year can remove an expected food source. Build plans around several independent resources and assume that every crop may fail.

Educational reference only - never consume or medicate from one source. Mackenzie Delta Plant Field Guide | 14

Look-alike and Hazard Matrix

The most important plant knowledge is often knowing what not to touch, taste or dig.

HAZARD FIELD CUE RULE

Northern water hemlock Wetland perennial with divided leaves, white umbrella Extremely poisonous and may cause seizures and flower clusters and thick chambered roots. death. Roots are especially dangerous.

Northern monkshood Deeply divided palmate leaves and blue-purple All parts contain potent aconitine alkaloids and can hood-shaped flowers. cause fatal heart and nerve effects.

Bog rosemary Low evergreen bog shrub with narrow rolled-edge Contains grayanotoxin-type compounds and may leaves pale beneath and small pink urn-shaped flowers. cause vomiting, dizziness and heart effects.

Red baneberry Woodland herb with divided leaves, white flower Berries and roots are poisonous and can cause clusters and glossy red berries on stout stalks. serious gastrointestinal and cardiovascular effects.

Suspected Poisoning Harvest Ethics

• Stop exposure. Take the common, leave the rare.
• Remove material from mouth; rinse. Never girdle a tree.
• Do not induce vomiting. Avoid roots and whole plants.
• Save a sample/photo. Leave wildlife food.
• Call emergency services or poison control. Follow Indigenous and protected-area rules.
• Monitor breathing and consciousness. Restore disturbed ground.

Educational reference only - never consume or medicate from one source. Mackenzie Delta Plant Field Guide | 15

Sources, Scope and Limitations

Taxonomy and regional occurrence change. Verify the current name, distribution and legal status before publication or field use.

1. Plants and biodiversity resources of the Northwest Territories Government of the Northwest Territories - regional flora and ecology

https://www.gov.nt.ca/ecc/en/services/biodiversity

2. Flora of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago Canadian Museum of Nature - scientific Arctic flora

https://nature.ca/aaflora/data/index.htm

3. Flora of North America North of Mexico Flora of North America Association - scientific flora

http://floranorthamerica.org/Main_Page

4. Aboriginal Plant Use in Canada's Northwest Boreal Forest Marles, Clavelle, Monteleone, Tays and Burns; Canadian Forest Service - ethnobotany

https://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.611374/publication.html

5. Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System and poison-safety resources Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada / Canadian poison centres - poison safety

https://infopoison.ca/

6. Plants of the World Online Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew - taxonomy and distribution

https://powo.science.kew.org/

Independent Publication Notice

This guide is an independent educational reference and is not affiliated with HISTORY, the Alone television series, local Indigenous governments or protected-area authorities. Traditional-use notes summarize published sources and do not transfer cultural authority. Local knowledge holders, current regulations and qualified medical or botanical professionals take precedence.

Educational reference only - never consume or medicate from one source. Mackenzie Delta Plant Field Guide | 16