Description
This hardy flower can thrive in the harshest climates. Its beautiful white petals and yellow pistil can be seen in mountainous areas. It is the eleventh coin in the Floral Emblems series. The Mintage is limited to 4,000. HST/GST exempt.
The Design:
The reverse design by Canadian artist Lisa Thomson-Khan features a colour portrait of the official floral emblem of Northwest Territories, the Mountain Avens. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
Northwest Territories – Mountain Avens:
These plants are ground-hugging, sun-loving, semi-shrubs. The leaves are 1-2 cm long, narrow with smooth edges and a somewhat shiny upper surface. The small, leathery, evergreen leaves are wrinkled on the upper surface and hairy underneath.
White, saucer-shaped flowers are 2-3 cm wide, growing on stalks 2-15 cm tall. The seed plumes are twisted in tight red/gold bundles that open into fluffy round seed heads as they mature. These species prefer rocky barren areas, alpine meadows and ridges. Arctic Mountain Avens can also tolerate moist conditions, where it takes on a creeping form.
