Flora & Fauna

Sun Peaks Wildflower Guide

The spectacular mountains of Sun Peaks are at their best in the warm months of summer. During this time, the mountains become a kaleidoscope of colour as the multitude of wildflowers blossom from the village to the alpine.

A special thanks to Catherine Tarasoff, Research Scientist with Agrowest Consulting Scientists, for conducting supporting research and preparing the information contained within the Wildflower Guide.

So that future guests can enjoy the wildflowers and they continue to thrive for seasons to come, please appreciate them in their natural surroundings and refrain from picking them.

<p>The <strong>Larkspur </strong>(Delphinium) is one of our earliest season flowering plants in the open alpine meadow. Larkspur is easily recognized by the deep blue/purple flowers with a unique 'spur' off the backside. Larkspur tends to occur as a solitary plant. All parts of the plant are highly toxic.</p> <p><strong>Bloom Period:</strong> Early spring/summer<br><strong>Location: </strong>Alpine meadows</p>

Early Season Bloomers

The following local wildflowers greet us early each spring/summer season in the valley and alpine meadows of Sun Peaks.

<p><strong>Baneberry </strong>(Actaea Ruba)<strong> </strong>is an attractive plant with many small white flowers in rounded clusters at the end of 1 metre long stalks. This plant produces either white or red berries. The entire plant (roots, shoots and berries) is highly toxic and the common name 'Bane' comes from bana, or murderous.</p> <p><strong>Bloom Period:</strong> Mid-summer<br><strong>Location:</strong> Valley and forests</p>

Mid Season Bloomers

When the heat of summer turns up, these wildflowers really put on a show!

<p><strong>Bunchberry</strong> (Cornus Canadensis) also called dwarf dogwood is a small plant with four very distinctive petal-like bracts. The flower is replaced by a cluster of red berries. While some indigenous groups are known to have eaten the berries, our local Interior people considered the berries poisonous.</p> <p><strong>Bloom Period:</strong> Late summer<br><strong>Location: </strong>Valley and forests</p>

Late Season Bloomers

As the days get shorter and the overnight temperatures start to dip, these wildflowers put on summers final act.

Sun Peaks Wildlife

The mountains of the area abound with animals free roaming in their natural habitat. Catch a glimpse of the area’s natural wildlife as you hike through the blossoming mountain or relax, sit back and see what you can see from the comfort of the chairlift.

<strong>Black Bear</strong> Photo: Alan Vernon (Cropped <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank">C.C. 2.0</a>)

<strong>Canadian Lynx</strong> Photo: Keith Williams (Cropped <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank">C.C. 2.0</a>)

<strong>Chipmunk</strong> Photo: AndyW (Cropped Public Domain)

<strong>Cougar</strong> Photo: Greg Hume (Cropped <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/" target="_blank">C.C. 3.0</a>)

<strong>Coyote</strong> Photo: Jitze (Cropped <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank">C.C. 2.0</a>)

<strong>Marmot</strong> Photo: Christopher J. Fynn (Cropped <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/" target="_blank">C.C. 3.0</a>)

<strong>Moose</strong> Photo: Ryan Hagerty (Cropped Public Domain)

<strong>Mule Deer</strong> Photo: Christina Bergquist (Cropped <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/" target="_blank">C.C. 3.0</a>)

<strong>Raccoon</strong> Photo: Dave Menke (Cropped Public Domain)

<strong>Red Fox</strong> Photo: Kalabaha 1969 (Cropped <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/" target="_blank">C.C. 3.0</a>)

<strong>Red Squirrel</strong> Photo: Geert Weggen (Cropped <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/" target="_blank">C.C. 4.0</a>)

<strong>Skunk</strong> Photo: Kevin Collins (Cropped <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank">C.C. 2.0</a>)

<strong>Wolf</strong> Photo: Malene Thyssen (Cropped <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/" target="_blank">C.C. 3.0</a>)

Birds of Sun Peaks

The area in and around Sun Peaks is home to several species, ranging from the noble blue heron and majestic bald eagle to the haunting loon and delicate hummingbird.