Sneezewort Yarrow / Achillea ptarmica

Sneezewort is an introduced plant, from Eurasia. Its status in Calgary is rare; casual escape from cultivation. The white flowers are much smaller than shown in this image. I have added a better photo taken in August 2007, in a comment box below.

"Achillea ptarmica (Sneezewort, Sneezeweed, Bastard Pellitory, European Pellitory, Fair-maid-of-France, Goose Tongue, Sneezewort Yarrow, Wild Pellitory, White Tansy) is a species in the genus Achillea. It has loose clusters of white, button-like flowers that bloom from June to August. Its dark green leaves have finely-toothed margins.

This is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant that prefers full sun and moist but well-drained soil.

The name ptarmica comes from the Greek word ptairo (=sneeze) and means 'causes sneezing'.

The plant is poisonous to cattle, sheep, and horses. Symptoms are generally slow to develop, and include fever, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, weight loss, drooling, spasms and loss of muscular control, and convulsions." From Wikipedia website.

I only remember ever seeing this plant growing at one location before - Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Park - in August 2007. Yesterday, 2 September 2017, I found this plant tucked away among tall grasses and other plants. This, too, was in Fish Creek Park, but at Bankside at the east end of the park. As you can see, the flowers were way past their prime, but I did want to post this photo just for the record.

The walk I was on was actually a birding walk and the only reason I came across the plant was that two of us were walking slowly and quietly towards a low tree that we had seen a light-coloured bird fly into.

This outing was led by Terry Korolyk and started near the Visitor's Centre. After checking the area, we then walked eastward to the Bow River and continued walking north as far as Burnsmead. After returning to the Visitor's Centre, we all drove over to Bankside and did a short walk near the river. An exciting sighting there, just as we were walking back to our cars, was a bird that is rarely seen here - a Turkey Vulture! The bird was flying high overhead. Unfortunately, some people had already left for home earlier, so missed this.

At this point, I was planning to go home, too, as we had been walking all morning and it was getting hotter all the time. The temperature reached 32C, and the air quality was not good, thanks to the smoke from wildfires in British Columbia, blowing into Alberta. However, I changed my mind and decided to join the others, driving the short distance to Mallard Point, where we again walked along the Bow River. I had to return to my car a bit before the remaining few, as I could not have walked another step and I was SO hot.

I will add the final list of bird species seen, in a comment box below. Thanks for a great walk, Terry!