Trip Report by Vicky Earle

Plants and an Insect listed as Rare, Endangered, Special Concern, or Uncommon

All observed on trails around Goldie and Flower Lakes, Mount Seymour Provincial Park, during the Nature Vancouver walk July 4^th, 2026. The original trip report is posted at Mount Seymour Provincial Park: Goldie and Flower Lakes Nature Walk / bioblitz July 4, 2026 – Nature Vancouver.

Nootka Cypress / Yellow Cypress / Yellow Cedar: (Callitropsis nootkatensis) is currently under review for listing as threatened or endangered, particularly due to observed declines in its populations in southeastern Alaska and parts of British Columbia. The full extent of the threat in BC is still being assessed.There are several old growth Nootka Cypress visible along the Goldie and Flower Lakes trails.

Rattlesnake Orchid (Goodyera oblongifolia) was growing next to the trail by Flower Lake. While it’s not listed as endangered, it is listed as a species of special concern due to its sensitivity to human activities and natural events, which can threaten its habitat and survival. These orchids can take 10 – 15 years to flower and one of the plants we saw was sending up a small flower spike.

Pimpernel Willowherb (Epilobium anagallidifolium) is considered endangered in some regions, including parts of its range in North America, and extremely rare in BC. Main threats to its population are heavy recreational (hiking) use, particularly in areas like coastal mountains in British Columbia as well as habitat changes.

Coral Root (Corallorhiza mertensiana) is considered rare in certain areas of British Columbia primarily due to its specific habitat requirements, as it grows in “moist to dry coniferous and deciduous woods” with little herbaceous cover, making it sensitive to environmental changes. It is often found in nitrogen-poor soils and is associated with specific plant communities, which can limit its distribution.

Arctic Starflower (Lysimachia europaea) is tracked as uncommon in coastal British Columbia but is not formally classified as threatened.

Dusky Fork Moss (Dicranum fuscescens) is blue-listed in British Columbia, indicating it is considered vulnerable but not currently endangered.

Shady Earwort (Scapania umbrosa) is a liverwort that is considered rare and classified as at risk in British Columbia. Its conservation status highlights the need for protection in its coastal old growth mountain habitats.

Pacific Fuzzwort (Ptilidium californicum) is a liverwort seen growing near Goldie Lake. It is considered rare and at risk due to its habitat specificity in British Columbia, particularly due to habitat loss in old-growth forests.

Willow sawfly (Euura ventralis) is considered threatened in coastal areas of British Columbia due to habitat loss from agricultural and urban development, among other factors.