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Showing posts from April, 2017

Learn About Land Management Reviews

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The schedule for the  2017/2018 Land Management Reviews  is out. Being a part of Land Management Reviews is an important part of the Florida Native Plant Society mission to promote the preservation, conservation, and restoration of the native plants and native plant communities of Florida. It is also a very rewarding experience for anyone who has participated in one. At the  Florida Native Plant Society's 37th Annual Conference in May   there will be a special field trip where you can  Learn About Land Management Reviews . The site for the Thursday morning training will be  Lake Kissimmee State Park . Led by Eugene Kelly and Eric Egensteine (Park Manager), this trip is designed to serve as a case study for the state’s Land Management Review process.

Wednesday's Wildflower:Spanish Needle

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Spanish Needle, Bidens Alba Submitted by Donna Bollenbach, Suncoast Chapter Biden's alba , all photos by Donna Bollenbach Nothing attracts more butterflies and bees than a simple white flower called Bidens alba . Also called Romerillo, Beggar’s Tick, Spanish Needle or Monkey’s Lice, this Florida native wildflower is the third most reliable source of nectar for pollinators in our state. There would be many starving bees and butterflies if not for the Bidens family of flowers. More so, Bidens alba and its sister plant, Bidens pilosa , are both edible and have medicinal value. Yet, many gardeners have a love/hate relationship the plant, and some even consider it a pesky weed. Why?

Wednesday's Wildflower: Scrub Lupine

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McFarlin’s Lupine/Scrub Lupine,  Lupinus westianus var. aridorum / Lupinus aridorium Submitted by Tom Palmer, Hernando Chapter Scrub Lupine, photo by Tom Palmer This pink-flowered endemic wildflower blooms in spring in a decreasing number of locations on the Winter Haven and Mt. Dora ridges in Polk and  Orange counties.  It is a federally listed endangered species, and unlike many scrub species, it is  unknown within the Lake Wales Ridge.  Although this plant was first proposed to be considered a separate species by James Brigham McFarlin in the 1930s, it was not formally described until 1982 by John Beckner. It was later reclassified as a variety of Lupinus westianus by Duane Isley, but a current genetic evaluation of Florida lupines reportedly may result in changes in the nomenclature that may restore it to full species status. Scrub lupines are easily identified by pink blossoms as well as the absence of stipules, which will L. diffusus , a more common Central

Conservation on a Working Ranch : Adams Ranch

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FNPS Conference Field Trip Highlight:  Adams Ranch Day: Thursday, May 18 at 9 am. Leaders: Anne Cox and Lee Ann Simmons Rainbow over Adams Ranch,  Bud Adams/Photographer Adams Ranch is a working cattle ranch with a long history of conservation. It is the model of a successful ranch that is also protecting and preserving environmentally sensitive lands. The ranch helps to preserve the rivers, swamps, marshes, prairies and wooded areas that are on its land, and in doing so protects critical habitat for native wildlife, such as bald eagles, alligators, bobcats, turkey, hawks, owls, Caracara and so much more. Caracara, Donna Bollenbach/Photographer This family owned business, established in 1937 by Alto Adams Sr, and his son Alto “Bud” Adams, Jr., is committed to preserving the natural vegetation, wildlife and its Florida heritage through environmental stewardship and a program of total ranch management. The ranch has won numerous conservation awards including awa

Wednesday's Wildflower: Common Blue Violet

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COMMON BLUE VIOLET, Viola sororia Willd. Violet Family (Violaceae) Submitted by Roger Hammer Viola sororia, photo by Roger Hammer The nearly orbicular, toothed leaves of this common species form a rosette measuring up to 3" across. The flowers reach ¾" wide and range from pale to rich blue (rarely white). It is not stoloniferous like many other members of the genus but may form dense colonies, especially along moist trails that bisect its habitat. It principally blooms from January through July in mesic forests throughout mainland Florida but plants may be found flowering throughout the year. In cultivation, it will spread from seed in pots and wherever there is moist, bare soil in shady situations. The seeds of many violets are explosively dehiscent and can be flung several feet away from the parent plant. Viola is the classical Latin name for a violet and the name sororia means “sisterly,” alluding to its similarity to other violets. It is the state wildflower of W

Wednesday's Wildflower: Common Torchwood

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Amyris elemifera , Common Torchwood By Beryn Harty, Dade Chapter , edited by Valerie Anderson Photo by Beryn Harty, Taken on roadside, Ramrod Key, FL Family Name: Rutaceae Genus/Species: Amyris elemifera Common Name: Common Torchwood (Another common name is Sea Torchwood, which is deceiving because it's salt tolerance is rather low. According to the IRC, " It grows near salt water, but should be protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation." Native Range: Eastern peninsular Florida, the West Indies, Mexico and Central America (Belize) What kind of plant is it? : A flowering tree Any interesting history : Green wood used as torches, twigs are burned as incense. What is the shape, color and size of the flower ?: Clusters of tiny white flowers, new leaf growth often very dark purple What is the typical natural habitat? Hammocks What benefits does it have for wildlife? Provides food and cover for wildlife. Larval host for Bahamian and Schaus Swallowtail