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History, Goals, and Progress

 

The production of a Flora of Saskatchewan has been the long-time goal of botanists in the province. In particular, Dr. Vernon Harms at the University of Saskatchewan, John Hudson at the Saskatchewan Research Council, and Dr. George Ledingham at the University of Regina worked tirelessly over many years to pave the way. Dr. Harms’ Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Saskatchewan and the Provincially and Nationally Rare Native Plants in Saskatchewan in 2003 (University Extension Press, University of Saskatchewan; updated in 2006)  and his preliminary treatments of many groups form the basis of our current work. John Hudson’s Carex of Saskatchewan became the first draft of the Carex fascicle.

In the Flora’s early stages, many volunteers assisted with its administration, research, writing and testing. As the project has gained momentum, and with generous funding support from project partners, FOSA has been able to hire writers to complete sections of the Flora. As of June 2018, six fascicles have been written and published. When finished, the completed fascicles will form the first Flora of Saskatchewan. It is our intention to provide a CD with photos of most if not all of the species in the Flora.

                                                

             Western Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis) Photo by Amie Enns © Nature Saskatchewan

                                                

                     Purple Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia) Photo by Melissa Ranalli © Nature Saskatchewan