Deep Roots: Crop Diversity of Newfoundland and Labrador | 2025

“As global demands for food increase, it is imperative that Newfoundland and Labrador research entities come together to embark on opportunities to sustainably intensify…aspects of the food system in the pristine, boreal ecosystem that is Newfoundland and Labrador.”

—Our Food Our Future

We are proud to present Deep Roots: Crop Diversity of Newfoundland and Labrador an exhibition that celebrates in botanical art the resilience of nature and the plants that have sustained us for centuries.

Botanical art is a remarkable discipline - a fusion of both science and art. Each work in this exhibition is the result of patient observation, technical skill, and deep respect for its subject. To spend time with a plant in this way transforms both artist and viewer: what begins as a study of form and detail becomes a moment of connection, a way of seeing and appreciating the natural world more fully.

Scientists remind us that crop diversity is essential to life on Earth. A wide range of species and varieties ensures stability in our food supply, strengthens communities, and supports sustainability for generations to come. This exhibition shines a light on that richness and complexity, while also drawing attention to the urgent need to protect crop diversity against threats such as climate change and habitat loss. Here in our province, where people have always relied on the land for nourishment, safeguarding crop-wild relatives and encouraging crop diversity is vital to a secure and healthy future.

The Botanical Art Society of Newfoundland and Labrador (BASNL) is honoured to take part in this global initiative, which has united artists from more than thirty countries on six continents to highlight the value of crop diversity. Inspired by this international call, we’ve devoted our biennial exhibition to the theme, inviting members to portray plants that carry special meaning here at home. With the generous support of Memorial University Botanical Garden and ArtsNL, our artists have risen to the challenge with works that combine scientific accuracy and artistic beauty.

We warmly invite you to explore these original paintings of our local crops - from familiar cultivated fruits and vegetables to medicinal plants and wild edibles. As you view these works and learn the stories behind them, we hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for the plants that sustain us now and into the future.

Please click each image to view a larger version.

THE EARTHY BEET

Eileen Gear Bragg

Beverly Brazil

The Earthy Beet

Eileen Gear Bragg

Beet or beetroot
Beta vulgarus L.

Watercolour

Beets typically are blood-red, globe-shaped and have long cylindrical tapered roots. They are a cool season crop and prefer deep, well-drained, fertile soil. Beet leaves are a good source of Vitamin A and potassium and make a great salad addition.

GOLDEN BAKEAPPLE

Eileen Gear Bragg

Beverly Brazil

Golden Bakeapple

Eileen Gear Bragg

Bakeapple
Rubua chamaemorus

Watercolour

The bakeapple is considered the “king of the berries” in Newfoundland and Labrador. It grows wild, close to the ground in peat/bog habitats, and produces a single yellow-orange berry per plant. It is considered a delicacy and is a popular fruit for making jams, sauces, desserts, and wines. These berries are extremely rich in Vitamin C and often used to treat hives.

COLOURFUL HARVEST

Michelle Whitten LaCour

Beverly Brazil

Colourful Harvest

Michelle Whitten LaCour

Purple or Red Cabbage
Brassica sp

Watercolour

Purple (or red) cabbage is similar in taste to green cabbage but has more health benefits. These benefits include inflammation reduction, stronger bones, a healthier heart, improved gut health and maybe a lower risk of certain cancers. It is a nutrient rich vegetable that is low in calories. The colour of this specimen depends on the pH of the soil in which it grows. This specimen was grown at Lester’s Farm Market on Brookfield Road. Though most commonly eaten raw in salads, it can also be cooked or even fermented to make kimchi.

MUSIC GARLIC

Kathie Chalker

Beverly Brazil

Music Garlic

Kathie Chalker

Garlic
Allium sativum var.ophioscorodon ‘Music’

Watercolour

Music garlic made its way to Canada via Al Music. Al was a farmer who brought it with him from Italy when he immigrated to Ontario and began growing it on his tobacco farm. Since then, it has had a successful growing history in Canada due to its flavor, disease resistance, hardiness and nine month shelf life. It provides antioxidant and antibacterial properties and is a source of Vitamin C, B and other nutrients. The edible scapes appear in our raised beds in early summer and the bulbs are ready to harvest in late summer.

NEW BEGINNINGS

Kathie Chalker

Beverly Brazil

New Beginnings

Kathie Chalker

Garlic
Allium sativum var.ophioscorodon ‘Music’

Watercolour

HANGING OUT WITH FRIENDS

Cynthia Metcalfe

Beverly Brazil

Hanging out with Friends

Cynthia Metcalfe

Apple
Malus domesticus

Watercolour

The apple tree originated in central Asia thousands of years ago, was brought to Europe and then to North America by colonists. Apples grown from seeds tend to be different from those grown from their parents but rather are grown from grafting into rootstocks.
Apples give off the gas ethylene that promotes ripening that shortens ripening time. Non-organically grown apples may be sprayed with a substance that blocks the ethylene receptors, temporarily preventing ripening.
It is thought that eating apples may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and ease inflammation. Apples are a good source of antioxidants and fibre.

JUST HANGING AROUND

Cynthia Metcalfe

Beverly Brazil

Just Hanging Around

Cynthia Metcalfe

Apple
Malus domesticus

Watercolour

The apple tree originated in central Asia thousands of years ago, was brought to Europe and then to North America by colonists. Apples grown from seeds tend to be different from those grown from their parents but rather are grown from grafting into rootstocks. Apples give off the gas ethylene that promotes ripening that shortens ripening time. Non-organically grown apples may be sprayed with a substance that blocks the ethylene receptors, temporarily preventing ripening. It is thought that eating apples may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and ease inflammation. Apples are a good source of antioxidants and fibre.

NO ONE'S PERFECT

Cynthia Metcalfe

Beverly Brazil

No One's Perfect

Cynthia Metcalfe

Apple
Malus domesticus

Watercolour

The apple tree originated in central Asia thousands of years ago, was brought to Europe and then to North America by colonists. Apples grown from seeds tend to be different from those grown from their parents but rather are grown from grafting into rootstocks. Apples give off the gas ethylene that promotes ripening that shortens ripening time. Non-organically grown apples may be sprayed with a substance that blocks the ethylene receptors, temporarily preventing ripening. It is thought that eating apples may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and ease inflammation. Apples are a good source of antioxidants and fibre.

SEA HOLLY

Beverly Brazil

Sea Holly

Beverly Brazil

Sea Holly
Eryngium plenum

Coloured Pencil

While not known as a “crop” in the traditional sense, and while it adds a splash of blue to many gardens, Sea Holly has been used for years by many cultures for medicinal purposes and food. There are approximately 250 known species and its diverse uses include herbal tea to lower blood sugar; herbal remedy to treat scorpion stings; extracts used as anti-inflammatory agents; and essential oils. The roots can be used as vegetables or sweet meats and when used as an herb its taste is similar to coriander or cilantro. Sea Holly is sometimes called spiny coriander or culantro. In the language of flowers, it represents admiration.

THE STORY OF A SQUASH

Barbara Canning

Beverly Brazil

The Story of a Squash

Barbara Canning

Winter Squash
Cucurbitaceae

Watercolour and Gouache

With climate change and longer, hotter summers, Newfoundland farmers may try growing these delicious members of the gourd family as a regular crop. Squash are actually fruit and originated in the Andes but are considered as vegetables by the food production business. The vegetable garden at MUN Botanical Garden successfully grows summer squash such as zucchini and butternut varieties. Winter varieties like acorn and big mama take a longer time to harden their outer shells. The blossoms are also edible, stuffed and fried or even in a stir fry.

TWISTS, TURNS AND TENDRILS

Margaret Walsh Best

Beverly Brazil

Twists, Turns and Tendrils

Margaret Walsh Best

Peas
Pisum sativum var. Dwarf Grey Sugar Peas

Graphite, Watercolour

This heirloom member of the Fabaceae family, is among the world’s oldest crops, dating to 4800 BC in the Mediterranean Delta; it’s been in production since the early 1770’s. Thriving in Canada’s cool climate, it can easily produce two crops per season – even in eastern provinces.
I am attracted to the graceful growth characteristics of the winding vines, the flower’s structure and colours, as well as the wonderful flavor of the peas, which are prized for their vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. This delicate-looking plant is hardy, versatile and valuable.

PICK A PECK OF PEPPERS

Mary Lou Vokey

Beverly Brazil

Pick a Peck of Peppers

Mary Lou Vokey

Peppers
Capsicum annuum

Watercolour

Capsicum annuum is a flowering plant in the Nightshade family. It is native to the northern regions of South American and southwestern North America. The plant produces berries of red, green and yellow, often with a pungent taste. It is one of the oldest cultivated crops with domestication going back around 6,000 years ago in regions of Mexico. It has been widely cultivated for human consumption for a substantial amount of time and has spread around the world. It has many uses in culinary applications as well as medicine, self defense and ornamental.

CRABAPPLE SPRIG FROM MUN BOTANICAL GARDEN

Dave Collins

Beverly Brazil

Crabapple Sprig from MUN Botanical Garden

Dave Collins

Crabapple
Malus

Coloured Pencil

While crabapples may taste rather tart, they are rich in vitamin C, and they contain polyphenols, a type of antioxidant which helps protect the body against cell damage. They also contain high levels of pectin, and are valued for making excellent jams and jellies. They cross-pollinate with apples, and are often grown near apple trees for just that purpose. While crabapples are not native to Newfoundland and Labrador, they can be found in gardens, fields and woodlands across the province.

CRABAPPLE SPRIG FROM MARK AND CHANDRA'S GARDEN

Dave Collins

Beverly Brazil

Crabapple Sprig from Mark and Chandra’s Garden

Dave Collins

Crabapple
Malus

Coloured Pencil

POMME D'API

Elisabeth Hulshoff

Beverly Brazil

Pomme d'api

Elisabeth Hulshoff

Lady Apple
Malus domestica

Watercolour

‘Pomme d’api’ is a miniature small apple measuring just 3-5 centimetres. It is also known as ‘Lady Apple’. This apple is excellent for eating, prized for its juicy fine-grained texture with a sweet yet tart taste. It keeps well in cold storage for up to 4 months. ‘Pomme d’api’ is an ancient heirloom apple originating in Brittany, France around the 1600’s and was brought to Canada with the Acadian settlers. This apple lends its name to a popular children’s song; ‘Pomme de reinette et pomme d’api’.

PARTRIDGEBERRIES

Glynn Bishop

Beverly Brazil

Partridgeberries

Glynn Bishop

Partridgeberries
Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Watercolour, Coloured Pencil, Pastel

No need to describe one of the favourite berries of the Newfoundland and Labrador people. Tasty and tart, they are used in jams, baking and homemade wine. They are found on the barren highlands in the fall.

PARTRIDGEBERRY FLOWERS

Glynn Bishop

Beverly Brazil

Partridgeberry Flowers

Glynn Bishop

Partridgeberry
Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Watercolour, Coloured Pencil, Pastel

These little flowers bloom early in the spring and bring the promise of tasty treats.

ROSE HIP

Kathleen Bragg Murphy

Beverly Brazil

Rose Hip

Kathleen Bragg Murphy

Rose Hip
Rosa rugosa

Acrylic

The Rose Hip, Rosa rugosa, is the bright orange or red bulb of rose seeds found on rose bushes in the fall of the year, after the flowering stage. Literature provides information on the benefits of rose hips, which includes their use for nutritional and medicinal purposes.

ONIONS AND GARLIC

Julie Duff

Beverly Brazil

Onions and Garlic

Julie Duff

Onions and Garlic
Allium

Watercolour

Allium refers to a genus of flowering plants in the Amaryllis family, containing over 1000 species. Common examples include onions, garlic, chives and leeks. Alliums are known for their pungent, onion or garlic-like aroma and are widely used in cooking, and traditional medicine, with some Native tribes, for example using them to treat bites.

CHOU

Julie Duff

Beverly Brazil

Chou

Julie Duff

Red/Purple Cabbage
Brassica oleracea

Watercolour

Red cabbage and purple cabbage are the same thing. Red cabbage is simply another name for purple cabbage due to its deep reddish-purple leaves. The colour can vary slightly depending on the acidity of the soil it’s grown in, sometimes appearing more red or more purple.
Purple cabbage is a nutrient-rich vegetable linked to a variety of health benefits, including reduced inflammation, a healthier heart, strong bones, and improved gut function.

THE THREE SISTERS

Julie Duff

Beverly Brazil

The Three Sisters

Julie Duff

Bean, Corn, Zucchini
Fabaceae, Poaceae, Cucurbita

Watercolour

Corn, zucchini and beans planted in a shared space is known as “The Three Sisters”, and has been cultivated for millennia, in native cultures. When the three are planted side by side they help each other during growth, resulting in better yields at harvest, using less space. They are stronger together than they ever would be separate.
This system is based on the idea that the three plants support and benefit each other, mimicking a family unit, hence the name “The Three Sisters.” The three give balance to a cultivator’s diet. Each brings something to the table. The bean is the protein, the corn is the starch and the zucchini provides carotene-rich vitamins.

GRAPES ON A VINE

Claire Tapp

Beverly Brazil

Grapes on a Vine

Claire Tapp

Himrod
Vitas labrusca hybrid

Watercolour

‘Himrod’ (a V. labrusca hybrid) is a seedless American table grape. These ones are growing in my in-laws’ greenhouse. It’s celebrated for its crisp, sweet, honey-like flavor and juicy, melting texture, making it excellent for fresh eating or drying into raisins. While typically ripening to a golden yellow, the grapes can present a lovely green hue in cooler maritime environments. This cold-hardy, self-pollinating variety thrives with full sun and good drainage. Flowers are attractive to bees. Ripe fruit is attractive to birds, mammals and some hornets and wasps.

GRAPES IN GRAPHITE

Claire Tapp

Beverly Brazil

Grapes in Graphite

Claire Tapp

Himrod
Vitas labrusca hybrid

Graphite

WHITE BIRCH IN WINTER

Roger Tapp

Beverly Brazil

White Birch in Winter

Roger Tapp

White Birch, Paper Birch
Betula papyrifera

Pen and Ink

The White Birch (Betula papyrifera) of Newfoundland is an iconic native tree, celebrated for its peeling white bark. This pioneer species thrives in diverse conditions, often being one of the first trees to colonize disturbed areas after fires or logging operations. Historically, it has been used by Indigenous peoples for various purposes, including making canoes, containers, and shelters due to its lightweight and waterproof bark. The inner bark and sap are edible and were traditionally used for medicinal purposes (e.g. as a tonic or for treating fevers). The sap can even be consumed as a sweet beverage or concentrated into a syrup.

WHITE BIRCH IN SPRING

Roger Tapp

Beverly Brazil

White Birch in Spring

Roger Tapp

White Birch, Paper Birch
Betula papyrifera

Pen and Ink

The iconic Betula papyrifera (White Birch or Paper Birch) of Newfoundland thrives in the province’s boreal forests and lives around 50 to 80 years. It grows up to 20 meters, with heart-shaped, serrated leaves that turn golden in fall. A pioneer species, it readily invades old fields, cleared or burnt-over land and creates conditions suitable for other woodland trees to become established. Since it is relatively short-lived and intolerant of shade, it is eventually out-competed by these trees. Paper Birch plays a vital role in supporting wildlife, offering both food and shelter to a variety of species.

WHITE BIRCH LEAVES

Roger Tapp

Beverly Brazil

White Birch Leaves

Roger Tapp

White Birch, Paper Birch
Betula papyrifera

Pen and Ink

The White Birch or Paper Birch (Betula papyrifera) of Newfoundland is a striking tree known for its distinctive white bark and delicate, serrated leaves. The leaves are ovate with a doubly serrated edge, measuring 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm) long. They emerge bright green in spring, deepen to dark green in summer, and turn brilliant yellow in autumn. Historically, Indigenous peoples utilized its leaves for medicinal purposes, treating ailments such as fevers and skin irritations. The leaves were brewed into medicinal teas to treat ailments like colds, fevers, and respiratory issues due to their anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.

HARVEST

Mariyln Mahle

Beverly Brazil

Harvest

Marilyn Mahle

Crabapple and Common Apple
Malus sylvestris and Malus domestica

Watercolour

Modern apples were domesticated from the crabapple Malus sieversii Roemi in Central Asia (most likely Kazakhstan) between 4,000 – 10,000 years ago.
Crabapples are typically yellow-green and although they are safe to eat, you may not always find them palatable.
The domesticated apple and crabapple cores contain seeds that have small amounts of cyanogenic glycoside. When this naturally occurring plant compound is metabolized, it’s converted into cyanide.