The endemic Inland Sea Thrift
grows only in the Athabasca Sand Dunes

Stemless Ladyslipper

Besides the outstanding scenery, the Athabasca Sand Dunes support a fragile and botanically unique ecosystem which scientists consider an evolutionary puzzle. Of the 300 or so plants found here, 52 are considered rare in Saskatchewan. Ten of these are endemic or restricted to the dunes, found nowhere else in the world. This is also the only region in Saskatchewan to have endemic plants, and the only place this far north anywhere in the world to have so many endemic plants.

Northern Sandscapes provides an introduction to the fascinating plant life, the tough conditions they must endure in this environment, why scientists think they grow here, and why they still consider this a mystery. An Appendix to the book lists the common and scientific names of all 52 rare plants.