False Mermaidweed

Floerkea proserpinacoides

Ecology & Conservation

Proximity Score: 2
Native Status: ✅ Outaouais ✅ Ottawa ✅ QC ✅ ON
Closest Direction: SE
CEC Eco-Regions: 8 – Eastern Temperate Forests, 8.1 – Mixed Wood Plains, 8.1.3 – Northern Appalachian Plateau and Uplands
Rarity Notes: Ranked S3 (Vulnerable) in Quebec and S4 (Apparently Secure) in Ontario. Globally secure (G5). COSEWIC assessed as Not at Risk; not listed on SARA Schedule 1 (NO_STATUS). In Quebec, occurrences are concentrated on St. Lawrence River islands near Montreal and Valleyfield, with 18 herbarium specimens documented. Rare in New England, where it is state-listed as endangered (CT) or historical (MA, VT).
S22+S26+S54+S61
Rarity Ranks: QC S3 – Vulnerable, ON S4 – Apparently Secure
Migration: Stable
Ecological Context: Found in rich, moist deciduous floodplain forests, particularly sugar maple-dominated woods. Associates include Erythronium americanum, Dicentra cucullaria, Matteucia struthiopteris, and Hydrophyllum virginianum. In Quebec, documented primarily on St. Lawrence River islands in moist woods of basswood, ash, and elm. Occupies the ground layer of high-quality undisturbed forests with intact spring ephemeral communities.
S7+S10+S48

Roles: Fortress/Barrier
S73/S29/S72 Evidence: Fortress/Barrier: S61 keyword match: thorns? (supporting signal only)]

❌ Not Edible