- Generally, unconsolidated plant material primarily consisting of
undecomposed, or only slightly decomposed, organic matter accumulated
under water-soaked conditions. More specifically, a layer of organic
material containing plant residues that may show little, if any, morphological
change and that have accumulated as a result of submergence in water
or through being in a very wet environment. One of the basic building
blocks of the Canoe Country ecosystem.
- Stout wooden lever, fitted with a strong, sharp spike used for rolling
logs. See also Cant Hook.
- 1) Another name for the large northern weasel, the Fisher
(Martes pennanti) once trapped extensively for its rich, silver-tipped
fur; sold as sable. One of the few predators of the porcupine.
From the Abnaki (Eastern Algonkin) pekene. Otchig
or akâkwidjish in the Ojibwe. 2) A lake
- Pelagial Zone
- In lakes, the deep water zone where vegetation no longer grows on
the bottom. The complement of the shallow Littoral
- Leaves which are shaped like a shield and attached to the stem at
or near the center. From the Greek, pelta
- Any of the fishes of the family Percidae. Represented
in the BWCA by the nearly ubiquitous Yellow Perch (Perca
flavescens), the Sauger (Stizostedion
canadense), and the Walleye (Stizostedion
vitreum). From the Greek perke
(perke), and Latin perca, an ancient name for a common
spiny-finned European fish. Applied by extension to related species.
- The largest, and rarest, of the Boundary Waters falcons (Falco
peregrinus). From the Latin peregrinus, "foreigner,"
which has come into English as pilgrim. So named by medieval falconers
because the birds were taken, not as young from the nest, but in migration,
- A plant that grows for 3 or more years and usually flowers each year.
The vast majority of North Country plants are perennial. From
the Latin, perennis, "through;" and annus, "a year."
- A botanical term for opposite
or whorled leaves or bracts
that are united into a collarlike structure around the stem that bears
them. From the Latin, per, "through;" and folium,
- The fruit wall which has developed from the ovary wall; sometimes
used for any fruit covering. From the Greek, peri
(peri), "around;" and karpos
- Perseids Meteor Shower
- An annual celestial lightshow emanating from the constellation Perseus,
and the most active of the recurring meteor showers, reaching its peak
in mid August (8th-15th). It can make for quite a show on a clear
August night in the wilderness, far away from the lights of civilisation.
Hope for clear skys.
- The stem of a leaf.
- A measure of the hydrogen-ion activity in a solution, expressed as
the negative log10 of hydrogen ion concentration on a scale of 0 (highly
acidic) to 14 (highly basic) with a pH of 7 being neutral.
- The science of the relations between climate and periodic biological
phenomena, such as the fruiting of plants or color change of leaves.
Produces species calendars showing typical dates for typical events
(bud open, flower open, leaf drop) in a given locale.
- The chemical process through which light energy, water, and carbon
dioxide are converted to carbohydrate and oxygen in the presence of
chlorophyll. Occurs in plants,
algæ, cyanobacteria, and lichens.
- A plant whose roots generally extend downward to the water
table which customarily feeds on the capillary
fringe. Phreatophytes are common in riparian
habitats. Term literally means water-loving plants.
- The second highest taxonomic
classification for the kingdom Animalia (animals), between
kingdom level and class level. The phylum Chordata includes
all of the "higher" animals, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds,
and mammals while Arthropoda picks up the insects, spiders,
- Literally plant plankton, from the Greek, futon
(phyton), "plant", and planktos
(planktos), "to wander or drift". Generally, 63-153 µm
- Pigeon River
- The international boundary to the west of Lake Superior, known for
its waterfalls which created the need for the Grand
Portage. Known as River aux Groseilles to the voyagers
- Any of the fishes of the family Esocidæ. Represented
in the BWCA by a single, but prominent species, the Northern Pike (Esox
lucius), typically refered to simply as Northern.
(The Walleye, sometimes erroneously referred to as
"Walleyed Pike" is, in fact, a Perch).
The name is short for pike-fish, a reference to the long, pointed snout
resembling the pike, an iron tipped staff. Rather like the French,
where brochet is the fish, but broche is a spit.
- An ornithological term for a bird with a prominent crest, a very
good descriptor indeed, for the Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus),
a year round resident of the BWCA. From the Latin, pilleatus,
- Pillow Structure
- The billowy forms created when lava cools and hardens underwater.
A common feature of the Precambrian Ely
- Hairy; pubescence comprised of scattered long, slender, soft hairs.
From the Latin, pilosus, "hairy."
- Any of the coniferous evergreen trees of the genus Pinus.
Represented in the North Country by three prominent species, the Jack
Pine (Pinus banksiana),
Red Pine (Pinus resinosa),
and the stately White Pine (Pinus
strobus). Also used in reference to the Pine Family Pinaceæ,
which includes the pines, spruces, firs, and hemlocks. From the
Latin pinus, "pine tree."
- Pine Portage
- A Border Route portage of 110 rods, crossing Pine Island, between
the Pine River and Clove Lake.
- A leaflet or a primary division of a compound
leaf. From the Latin, pinna, "feather."
- Pinnas or pinnæ
- The leafy expanded portion of the fern frond.
The blade may be undivided
to finely cut, each degree of division having a specific term.
From the Latin, pinna, "feather."
- Divided in a feathery manner; having leaflets on each side of an
axis or midrib. Pinnate blades are divided into leaflets (pinnæ),
with each leaflet narrowly attached to the central stem (rachis).
Blades more divided are designated as bipinnate or
tripinnate. From the Latin, pinnatus,
- A type of leaf division where the green leafy tissue isn't completely
separated from the rachis but
rather spreads along it. From the Latin, pinnatus, "feathered."
- A secondary pinna, one of the ultimate divisions
of a bipinnate or twice-pinnate leaf. From the Latin, pinnula,
"small feather, small fin."
- Any of those species which are among the first to colonize previously
barren areas, such as exposed rock, or recently disturbed areas, such
as burns. Also those plants which lead the process which creates
bog and fen from open waters. Among the most significant pioneers
of the North Country are the Reindeer Lichens (Cladonia
spp.) on rock, and the sedges, especially Carex
lasiocarpa, in wetlands.
- Pipestone Falls
- A 6' waterfall between Newton
Lake and Pipestone Bay, an arm of Basswood.
Bypassed by a 90 rod portage on the eastern bank.
- A delicate aquatic herb of shallow waters and waters edge (Eriocaulon
septangulare). Its flower clusters look like white beads,
rising above the water's surface.
- An evergreen forest floor shrublet of the genus Chimaphila.
Represented in the North Country by Chimaphila
umbellata. From the Cree pipsisikweu, "it breaks
into small pieces", a reference to its use for the treatment of gall
and kidney stones.
- The seed-bearing, female organ of the flower, consisting of the ovary,
stigma, and style when present. From the Latin, pistillum,
- A flower bearing a pistil or pistils but not stamens,
may refer also to a plant having only pistillate flowers.
- Pixie Cups
- A diminutive Northwoods lichen
(Cladonia pyxidata) which has the appearance of grey goblets
but ½" tall. Forms large groups on rock and dead wood.
- An instrument used to mechanically measure an area by tracing the
perimeter on a plane surface. Typically used to estimate the size
of an area from scale maps.
- Passively floating or weakly swimming plant and animal life in either
fresh or marine waters. From the Greek, planktos
(planktos), "to wander or drift."
- Compact, thick-necked wading birds of the family Charadriidæ.
Represented in the BWCA by a single species, the Killdeer (Charadrius
vociferous). Tchitchwishkiwee in the Ojibwe.
- Primitive Management Area.
A portion of the BWCAW backcountry untraversed by established canoe
routes which is opened up by the Forest Service to primitive camping
and, of necessity, bushwhacking,
on a permit basis.
- The grey layer of soil underlying acidic humus
and largely devoid of minerals due to the leaching from the soil above.
From the Russion, podzol, "wood ash."
- A method of advancing a canoe in extremely shallow, weedy, or mucky
waters by using the paddle to push against the bottom.
- Any of a number of ferns
of the family Polypodiaceae and particularly of the genus Polypodium.
Well represented in the North Country by 28 species in 15 genera, including
the Common Polypody or Rock Fern (Polypodium
virginiana), commonly found growing in large patches on the
surface of boulders. From the Greek, polus
(polus), "many", and podion
(podion), "foot", from the numerous branches of the rootstalk.
- Any of a variety of aquatic plants of the genus Potemageton.
Represented in the North Country by some 20 species; some with floating
leaves and others fully submerged.
- Any of a number of deciduous trees of Salicaceae, the Willow
family, and genus Populus. Represented in the North Country
by the Balsam Poplar (Populus
balsamifera), Big Tooth Aspen (Populus
grandidentata), and the ubiquitous Quaking Aspen (Populus
tremuloides). Asaadi in the Ojibwe.
- Another name for poplar derived from the word for poplar in the Germanic
languages, such as the Swedish poppel, and the German Pappel.
- A large, dark, arboreal rodent of the North Country (Erethizon
dorsatum) . Most noted for its formidable defensive spines
which protect it from most predators, save the fisher
and the Chevy. The quills
were used by Native Americans for elaborate decorative work. From
the Middle English porke despyne or porkepyn and the
Old French porc espin; literally "spiny pig." Kâg
in the Ojibwe.
- The carrying of boat and equipment overland between navigable waters.
The Grand Portage, which bypassed the rapids and falls of the lower
Pigeon River, stretched for 8½ miles. From the verb porter,
"to bear or carry" in the French of the early trappers, explorers, and
voyageurs. Onigam in the Ojibwe.
- Portage Wheels
- Apparatus attached to boats to allow them to be rolled over portage
trails. Generally used for aluminum fishing boats and motors rather
- Potable Water
- Water of a quality suitable for drinking. Most waters of the
BWCA are potable - you just can't tell by looking, hence filters and
water purification tablets.
- Pow Wow Trail
- A 28 mile hiking trail loop in the area between the Number Lakes
and the Isabella. The trail originates at Forest
Center (BWCAW Entry Point 86) and makes use of some old
- Prairie Portage
- The Border Route portage (20 rods) between Basswood and Sucker lakes
and the site of a popular Canadian Port of Entry. This direct
access to the Quetico goes
a long way in explaining the ongoing popularity of the Moose Lake entry
point, the busiest in the BWCAW, immediately to the south.
- The ancient epoch of geological time (3.5 billion to 600 million
years ago), marked in the North Country by the Early Precambrian Keewatin,
Lake, and Algoman
periods (3.5 to 2.7 billion years ago); the Middle Precambrian Early,
Middle, and Late Huronian(Animikean)
periods (2.6 to 1.6 billion years ago); and the Late Precambrian Early,
Middle, and Late Keweenawan
periods (1.6 billion to 600 million years ago).
- Primitive Management Area
- A portion of the BWCAW backcountry untraversed by established canoe
routes which is opened up by the Forest Service to primitive camping
and, of necessity, bushwhacking,
on a permit basis. Generally referred to as a "PMA".
- The extended mouth parts of some insects, including butterflies and
moths, but also biting flies and mosquitos.
- Profundal Zone
- In lakes, the lake bottom sediments free of vegetation that lie below
the deep water Pelagial Zone.
- An appendage that is not a leg, but that serves the purpose of a
leg; specifically, the fleshy, unjointed, ventral abdominal projections
of caterpillars and certain sawfly
- In the reproductive cycle of ferns, a self-sustaining, independent
plant, developing out of the growing spore. Green, heart shaped,
½" or less in diameter, and lying flat upon the ground it little
resembles a fern, when noticed at all. The Prothallium grows Antheridia
(male organs) and Archegonia
(female organs) on its underside which produce the spermatazoids and
eggs that combine and grow into what we think of as a fern. Also
known as Gametophyte.
- A general term for hairiness, often used to describe the surface
of plant stems or leaves. (Hairy Solomon's Seal, Polygonatum
pubescens, for example). From the Latin, pubescere, "to
- The wood fibers of trees, ground up for use in the manufacture of
paper. A common use of those North Country trees which are logged
but unsuitable, because of their size or species, for use as sawtimber.
A compelling reason to recycle paper.
- Any of several species of low perennial herbs of the genus Antennaria.
Represented in the BWCA by Field Pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta)
and Plantain Leaf Pussytoes (Antennaria plantaginifolia).