Wonderful surprises await anyone interested in the diverse flora of Newfoundland and Labrador! The multiplicity of plant life that has been able to flourish in our province is a constant source of intrigue. Our climate and nature has carved a unique floral landscape for the province that is captivating, beautiful and inspiring.

Our location in the middle latitudes, straddling the north-south boundary between the Artic Alpine growing area and the more gentle areas to the south, offers a unique environment where rare artic flowers flourish and share the soil with coastal plain species from the south. The province has a large variety of plants—some plants, such as the Alpine Bearberry, thrive even though they are growing in the southern extremity of their range, while others, like Golden Heather, tease their northern boundaries.

For any flower lover, a trip up the province’s great Northern Peninsula offers more than just its astounding scenic beauty. The peninsula’s unique limestone barrens and plethora of rare plants have held the attention of the world’s scientific community for nearly a century. At the Redfir Lake-Kapitagas Channel Ecological Reserve in Labrador, you’ll find the only known natural stands of jack pine in the province, and the most easterly occurrence of this tree species in all of North America. If you want to really appreciate the province’s plant diversity, be sure to travel the area from the Port au Choix National Historic Site to Raleigh’s Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve. Of the island’s 271 plant species that are considered rare, you’ll see nearly half of them here—29 of which can only be found on the Northern Peninsula.

No matter what section of the province you hit, make sure you catch a glimpse of Newfoundland and Labrador’s provincial flower, the Pitcher Plant—a sturdy yet elegant flower that graces many of our province’s bogs and marshes. It can be easily identified by its one large wine-red flower and pitcher-shaped leaves. As it is an insectivorous plant, it feeds off the insects drowned inside its water-filled leaves.

So take a day and wander through thick brush under a canopy of perfect green and search for your favorite flower - rare or common – in Newfoundland and Labrador.