Biol 111 Group 1 iNaturalist Project 09/15's Journal

The Trametes Versicolor, with the common name Turkey-Tail mushroom, grows in woodland environments and is often found on tree trunks and fallen trees. It can be multicoloured and is found all around the world. Research has shown that turkey-tail mushrooms have many good health benefits and are great immune boosters. Some of the turkey-tail immune-boosting benefits are that they are rich in antioxidants, contain polysaccharopeptides, have antibacterial qualities, reduce inflammation, can help prevent obesity and improve gut health. Additionally, this mushroom has shown to be very helpful with treating cancer and helping cancer treatments, especially chemotherapy. No wonder turkey-tail mushrooms are used in Chinese medicine and often used as a health supplement due its numerous health benefits.

The biodiversity of the plants located in Mount Royal Park becomes evident when observing all of their unique adaptations. An example of this is the great mullein, which in response to living in sunny regions, possesses the structural adaption of having hairy leaves. The hairs are used to reflect sunlight and allow for minimal air movement near the surface of the leaves, which results in less transpiration. Although no other plants observed have this trait, one adaptation that all of the plants share is having thin leaves. This is beneficial since there is a smaller distance needed for the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out of the leaves. Another interesting aspect to consider regarding these plants are their phylogeny placements. For example, the phylogenetic placement of the American elm, according to OneZoom, is as follows: Eukaryotes → Plants → Pentapetalae → Fabids → Elm family → American elm.

The purple Chicory had a distinctive adaptation amongst the other flowering plants. It had longer and bright purple coloured petals, potentially to attract bees and other insects as they often get hidden in between the endives.

All of the observations plants that have some sort of a flower on it. These help them to spread their pollen by bees around the environment to grow in different places.

To find the Wrinkleleaf Goldenrod follow this order : Eukaryotes -> plants -> seed plants -> flowering plants -> eudicots -> asterids -> asterales -> daisy family - > astereae -> wrinkleleaf goldenrod.