You’ve probably spotted this early spring bloomer and Ontario’s official flower.
Did you know that the Ontario Legislature adopted the White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) as Ontario’s official flower in 1937?
The adoption of an official flower for Ontario grew out of a movement during the First World War to choose a national floral emblem appropriate for planting on the graves of Canadian servicemen overseas.
The white trillium (Trillium grandiflorum), also known as the wake-robin and the white lily, was recommended by a special committee of botanists to the Ontario Horticultural Association. In a British botanical work published in 1760, there is a reference to the trilliums as “the herb True Love of Canada.”
Bird
Ontario adopted the common loon (Gavia immer) as its official bird on June 23, 1994.
Found in lakes and rivers across the province, the loon’s eerie call is associated with the beauty and solitude of Ontario’s wilderness. The loon can dive to depths of 70 meters in search of food, and stay underwater for three minutes.
In 1987, Canada replaced its one dollar bill with a coin, which featured a swimming loon on the tail side. It was quickly nicknamed the “loonie”.
Colours
Green and yellow
Gemstone
Amethyst was adopted as Ontario’s official mineral in 1975 to represent the mineral wealth of the province.
A form of quartz, amethyst is found in clusters throughout northern Ontario, concentrating around the area of Thunder Bay. Amethyst crystals near Thunder Bay formed in cavities which were created over one billion years ago.
Tartan
Adopted in 2000, the Ontario tartan is made up of four blocks of colour: red, white, three shades of green and two shades of blue. The shades of green represent the forests and fields of Ontario, while the blue represents the waters. The red represents its First Nations and the white, the sky over the province.
Tree
The province adopted the eastern white pine (Pinus strobus linnaeus) as an official symbol on May 1, 1984.
Found throughout Ontario, the eastern white pine – which is the tallest tree in the province and can live over 250 years – represents Ontario’s vast forests. Known as “the Tree of Great Peace” by the Haudenosaunee First Nations of Southern Ontario, the eastern white pine was also an important source of income and trade during the province’s early days.
Information courtesy of Canada.ca
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