Description
Fireweed was chosen as Yukon's floral emblem in 1957. It is a hardy plant and grows along Yukon roadsides, river bars and clearings from mid-July to September. Its blooms are a bright magenta, making it one of the most attractive plants in the North. It is the twelfth 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 the Yukon, fireweed. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.
Yukon – Fireweed:
The fireweed's stalk-type blossoms range in color from orange-scarlet buds to purply-mauve flowers, all in one plant, which sometimes grows to a height of four feet. Occasionally a white one may be seen. Its shoots, young leaves, and flowers are edible raw, the flower bud clusters can be also cooked as vegetable.
