Richardson Mountains Plant Field Guide

Region AT A Glance

Treeline spruce, Arctic shrubs, persistent berries, alpine greens and high-consequence toxic plants.

Filming region: Richardson Mountains and adjacent Arctic valleys, Northwest Territories, Canada Alone season(s): 13 Ecology: Arctic mountain tundra, taiga treeline valleys, dwarf-shrub heath, gravel bars, snowbeds and alpine slopes

The Richardson Mountains rise from the taiga-tundra transition into exposed Arctic alpine terrain. True trees are mostly restricted to sheltered valleys and lower slopes; above them, dwarf birch, willow, heath shrubs and mat-forming plants dominate. Wind, snowbeds, permafrost and slope aspect control plant distribution. The growing season is short, and many edible species produce small, irregular crops.

Field Priorities

• Recognize that treeline is patchy: a small spruce may be very old and ecologically important.
• Use leaf undersides and flower structure to separate Labrador tea from bog rosemary.
• Keep wet-valley roots off the menu; water hemlock can occur in northern drainage systems.
• Harvest alpine plants sparingly or not at all; mats and cushions recover extremely slowly.
• Document location, elevation, slope aspect and habitat for every identification.

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.

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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.

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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 scaly gray bark; forms treeline stands in sheltered valleys. HABITAT & SEASON Lower valleys, river terraces and protected south-facing slopes. Season: Year-round DOCUMENTED USE Strong poles, roots, carving wood and fuel. Presence often indicates relatively sheltered, better-drained ground. CAUTION Treeline trees grow slowly and are vulnerable to cutting. Banks and permafrost can undermine 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 Cold peatland pockets and lower poorly drained valleys near the mountain front. Season: Year-round DOCUMENTED USE Small poles, sheltered dead twigs and resinous fuel. CAUTION Shallow roots create windthrow hazards; smoky fires require ventilation. LOOK-ALIKES White spruce is fuller and favors better-drained terraces.

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

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 twigs and tiny catkins. HABITAT & SEASON Tundra heaths, moist slopes and snow-catching hollows. Season: Spring through fall leaves; twigs year-round DOCUMENTED USE Fine twigs for light brush, bedding and small bundles. Dense patches can trap snow and reduce wind at ground level. CAUTION Do not strip broad areas; shrubs grow slowly and stabilize soil. LOOK-ALIKES Dwarf willows often have narrower leaves; alder has larger cone-like catkins.

FELTLEAF WILLOW TREE / WOODY

Salix alaxensis

Identify

Tall shrub with long leaves dark above and densely white-felted beneath, plus flexible yellow-brown twigs. HABITAT & SEASON River valleys, gravel bars and moist lower slopes. Season: Spring through fall leaves; twigs year-round DOCUMENTED USE Straight rods for stakes, wattle, baskets and repair splints. CAUTION Flood edges and avalanche channels are hazardous. Do not self-dose bark. LOOK-ALIKES Other willows lack the strongly white-woolly underside.

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

Trees and Woody Plants

Identification, practical material properties and conservation cautions.

GRAYLEAF WILLOW TREE / WOODY

Salix glauca

Identify

Low to medium shrub with gray-green oval to lance-shaped leaves, often silky beneath, and catkins on short shoots. HABITAT & SEASON Tundra slopes, stream terraces and alpine shrub belts. Season: Growing season leaves; twigs year-round DOCUMENTED USE Flexible twigs for small lashings, brush screens and basketry. Shrub height can indicate snow depth and exposure. CAUTION Species-level willow identification is difficult; avoid medicinal use based on a general willow label. LOOK-ALIKES Feltleaf willow is taller with distinctly white-felted leaf undersides.

GREEN ALDER TREE / WOODY

Alnus viridis subsp. crispa

Identify

Multi-stem shrub with oval sharply toothed leaves, sticky young shoots and persistent woody cone-like female catkins. HABITAT & SEASON Avalanche tracks, stream valleys, moist slopes and treeline thickets. Season: Spring through fall leaves; stems year-round DOCUMENTED USE Straight stems for wattle, racks and light poles; alder thickets mark moist, often snow-loaded terrain. CAUTION Dense thickets hide holes and bear trails. Wet wood smokes heavily. LOOK-ALIKES Birch lacks persistent woody cone-like catkins and usually has papery bark.

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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 Tundra heath, open treeline woodland and peat hummocks. Season: Late summer through winter DOCUMENTED USE Ripe berries are documented food and often persist after frost. CAUTION Confirm the evergreen leaves and fruit crown. Avoid animal-contaminated patches. LOOK-ALIKES Bearberry fruit is mealier and leaves show netted veins.

BOG BLUEBERRY DOCUMENTED EDIBLE

Vaccinium uliginosum

Identify

Low woody shrub with blue-green oval leaves and blue waxy berries with a crown. HABITAT & SEASON Moist tundra heath, snowbed margins and open treeline. Season: Late summer DOCUMENTED USE Ripe berries are documented food. CAUTION Fruit crops are irregular. Use woody stems, leaf shape and crown together. LOOK-ALIKES Bilberry has green angular stems and darker-staining flesh.

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Documented Edible Plants

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

CROWBERRY DOCUMENTED EDIBLE

Empetrum nigrum

Identify

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

CLOUDBERRY DOCUMENTED EDIBLE

Rubus chamaemorus

Identify

Low unarmed herb with rounded lobed leaves and a single amber-orange raspberry-like fruit. HABITAT & SEASON Peat pockets, wet tundra and sheltered boggy valleys. Season: Mid- to late summer DOCUMENTED USE Fully ripe amber fruit is documented food. CAUTION Unripe red fruit is hard and sour. Avoid trampling wet moss. LOOK-ALIKES Dwarf raspberry species may have red fruit and more divided leaves.

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Documented Edible Plants

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

MOUNTAIN SORREL DOCUMENTED EDIBLE

Oxyria digyna

Identify

Low herb with kidney-shaped leaves and reddish branching flower and seed stalks. HABITAT & SEASON Moist gravel, talus seeps, streambanks and snowbed edges. Season: Summer DOCUMENTED USE Young leaves are a documented sour food and flavoring. CAUTION High oxalate content means small portions only; avoid with kidney disease. LOOK-ALIKES Docks have larger leaves and different seed valves.

ALPINE BISTORT DOCUMENTED EDIBLE

Bistorta vivipara

Identify

Slender spike with white or pink flowers above and dark bulbils below; narrow basal leaves and a small thick root. HABITAT & SEASON Moist tundra, snowbeds, alpine meadows and stream terraces. Season: Summer DOCUMENTED USE Bulbils and roots have documented northern food use after skilled identification and preparation. CAUTION Plants are small and slow-growing; harvest is usually not justified. Do not confuse with other bistorts or dig in protected areas. LOOK-ALIKES Other Bistorta species may lack bulbils or have broader leaves.

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Toxic Plants - Avoid

High-consequence species to recognize before any gathering begins.

NORTHERN MONKSHOOD TOXIC - AVOID

Aconitum delphiniifolium

Identify

Deeply divided palmate leaves and blue-purple hood-shaped flowers. HABITAT & SEASON Moist mountain meadows, streambanks and rich tundra. 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 distinct rear spur but are also toxic.

BOG ROSEMARY TOXIC - AVOID

Andromeda polifolia

Identify

Low evergreen shrub with narrow rolled-edge leaves pale beneath and small pink urn-shaped flowers. HABITAT & SEASON Peat pockets, bogs and wet tundra hollows. 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.

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

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 Slow streams, marshy valley bottoms and lake margins in the broader region. Season: Spring through fall DOCUMENTED USE No use. Never dig wetland roots. CAUTION Extremely poisonous and may cause seizures and death. LOOK-ALIKES Angelica and other Apiaceae can resemble it. Never taste.

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 lower valleys and treeline woodland. 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 fruits on woody shrubs have simple leaves, not divided herb leaves.

Educational reference only - never consume or medicate from one source. Richardson Mountains 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 treeline spruce. 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 excluded. LOOK-ALIKES Bog rosemary is narrow and pale beneath, not 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 terraces, disturbed ground and moist lower slopes. 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 may affect pregnancy, seizures and medications. LOOK-ALIKES Other wormwoods occur; smell alone is insufficient.

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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 gravel bars, trails and lower disturbed slopes. Season: Summer through fall DOCUMENTED USE Published traditional uses include external washes and aromatic preparations; dry tops can be light tinder. CAUTION Possible allergy and anticoagulant concerns. 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 usually eight-petaled flowers and feathery seed heads. HABITAT & SEASON Calcareous gravel, exposed slopes and alpine tundra. Season: Summer flowers; leaves year-round DOCUMENTED USE Leaves have documented traditional beverage and medicinal uses; mats 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 and hybrids differ in leaf teeth and hairiness.

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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, Dwarf birch Windthrow, fire, protected slow-growing plants

Moist forest / sheltered Feltleaf willow, Grayleaf willow, Green alder Look-alikes, falling timber, poor visibility valley

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

Open disturbance / camp Lingonberry, Bog blueberry, Crowberry, Cloudberry 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.

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

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

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.

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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.

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