Heather for ID, Canada (1 Viewer)

I've been having problems with this Cassiope sp. from alpine habitat in the Jasper National Park, Alberta. I don't suppose anyone here knows how to deal with them? The tentative ID is Cassiope tetragona, but there is more than 1 species to work with.


http://static.inaturalist.org/photos/1682224/original.JPG?1428023745

Have you tried the key in Flora N America?
http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=105809

Looks like you'll need to check some shoot samples under magnification; can't do it from the photo here. Can exclude Cassiope lycopodioides, as it's not in Alberta.

I'm not sure I've ever encountered a plant ID that requires a microscope! That's usually insects.

Anyway, the abaxial side is pretty easy to see actually. If you look at images on google you can see the presence/absence of the groove quite well. My plant is clearly grooved if you look carefully, so tetragona seems like a good call after all?

I didn't think of that, even though I make widespread use of it here in California. I guess I assumed it didn't apply to Canada.

Plenty of plants where a 5× hand lens (or a decent camera macro lens) is needed. Most don't need a microscope, though!

Aye, FNA covers Canada, though not Mexico. It's a bit mixed in quality though, e.g. Pinus in vol. 2 is dreadful, and Cupressus bad too – it all depends on the respective genus authors.