Florida Native Plant Society Blog

February 26 – March 3, 2012 What is an “Invasive Species”? It is a non-native plant, animal, fungus or other organism whose arrival causes or is likely to cause economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to human health. These “invaders” are aggressive species which grow and reproduce rapidly, causing major problems to the new areas in which they thrive. National Invasive Species Awareness Week includes activities, briefings, workshops and events across the United States. It is focused on creating solutions to address invasive species prevention, detection, monitoring, control, and management issues at local, state, tribal, regional, national and international scales. Check www.nisaw.org for more details and further developments!     10 Ways to Observe NISAW in Florida Research invasive species. 1.   Do Some Research: You don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own home. Get on the internet and find out what’s invasive in your a...

February 26 – March 3, 2012 Acronyms FISP: Florida Invasive Species Partnership, which has facilitated the formation of CISMA(s): Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area(s) throughout the state CWMA: Cooperative Weed Management Area PRISM: Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management  Florida map denoting the approximate locations of the activities listed below Activities 1. North Central FL CISMA Air Potato Round Up at Alligator Creek Sat, February 25, 2:00pm – 3:30pm Edwards Road Sports Complex, 930 Edwards Rd, Starke 2. Invasive Plant Removal Workday Sat, February 25 & Sun, March 11 from 9am –Noon Angus K. Gholson, Jr. Nature Park,  Chattahoochee Meet at the parking lot off Morgan Avenue, behind the Women's Club. Bring work gloves, a hand weeder tool if you have one, water, wear sturdy shoes or boots, and dress in layers for any kind of weather. Sponsored by the City of Chattahoochee and the FNPS Magnolia Cha...

 Figure 1. Tubular flowers of the coral honeysuckle. Photo credit: Stan Shebs http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lonicera_sempervirens_close.jpg  This post is one of a series from Botany professor Nisse Goldberg's students at Jacksonville University. Student authors: Krystal Dannenhoffer & Ashley Gustafson “First year it sleeps, second it creeps, and then it leaps.” (FloridaGardner) The coral honeysuckle is native to many parts of Florida and elsewhere in southeastern United States. It is widely planted and the vine grows best on trellises and fences and does well in slightly acidic soils and full sun. Known for the bright, coral clusters of tubular flowers that bloom throughout the spring and summer, the coral honeysuckle is a definite eye-catcher. They attract all sorts of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. During late summer and the beginning of fall, berries are produced and eaten by songbirds. The coral honeysuckle is not a high-mai...

This post is one of a series from Botany professor Nisse Goldberg's students at Jacksonville University. Student authors: Shari Dillet, Devin Resko, Jonathan Kelly Mangroves are found in Florida because of its sub-tropical environment. The humid, coastal regions of Florida offer ideal conditions for the black mangrove (Avicennia germinans). This particular tree can be seen along the intertidal salt marshes of St. Augustine down to the Keys. The increasing water temperatures of the Atlantic have contributed to the mangroves range expansion northward along the east coast of the U.S. Avicennia germinans wood is a dark brown with square scales that aids in protection against harsh winds. Its leaves are 2-4 inches in length by 1 inch in width. The topside of the leaf is smooth and glossy while the bottom side is fuzzy. The black mangrove can grow up to 50 feet tall in Florida regions but that is rare. In Louisiana, the mangrove only reaches heights up to ten feet.  Figure 1...

Abraham Lincoln, 1860 Charles Darwin, 1840   Today in History by Laurie Sheldon Both Charles Darwin and Abe Lincoln were born today, February 12, in 1809. Darwin's influence on the study of the natural world is widely known, but Lincoln's is not. Sure, he successfully led our country through Civil War, preserved the Union and ended slavery, but he also made a lasting impact on the green front. Here's how: Justin Smith Morrill, a Congressional Representative from Vermont, was an outspoken advocate for the democratic ideal that a college education should be available, at low cost, to all who desired one. The issue was dear to his heart, having been the son of a blacksmith who had to go to work at 15 years old because his family did not have the means to provide him with a higher education. At any rate, Morrill proposed a plan that called for the establishment of state agricultural colleges through the ...

by Laurie Sheldon Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching. While some people may consider it to be a trivial or sappy holiday, I believe that it’s the perfect opportunity to tell your loved ones that they are an important part of your life. Although it’s fairly standard to give your sweetheart a bouquet of red roses or a fancy box of chocolate, the truth remains that neither one has a chance of lasting into March (unless your love is allergic to chocolate). Surely, you want to get the most bang for your buck, so to speak. Why not consider giving something that stands the test of time, and can be a continued reminder of your enduring affection? No - I'm not talking about jewelry or a Keurig! Think GREEN. Bring that special someone a native plant. It’s the gift that says, “I’m in it for the long haul,” and “I’m too thoughtful to give you something I grabbed at a 24-hour drug store.” Aside from making his/her heart beat a little faster, you’ll be keeping Florida’s air cleaner...

Can you imagine 10 acres of forest floor covered in Yellow-dimpled Trout Lilies ( Erythronium umbilicatum )? It's a reality right now at the Wolf Creek Trout Lily Preserve, the 140 acre area that boasts the largest and most concentrated occurrence of these little yellow beauties in the U.S.. Although they normally do not flower until mid to late February, an unseasonably warm winter has coaxed them into an early display that is not to be missed. Among the other rare and interesting wildflowers on the site are thousands of deep maroon Spotted Trillium ( Trillium maculatum ). If you can visit the Preserve, it is highly recommended that you do so within the next week, before the blooms begin declining. It will be open to the public Saturday and Sunday, February 11 & 12. If you wish to go on another day, however, the gate is kept closed, but not locked. Visitors should wear good shoes with treads, as the terrain is a sloped hardwood forest. Those with minor mobility problems sh...

Properly pruned sabal palm. THE TREE OF LIFE It's not a well-known fact, but this most regal name for the Sabal palm (pronounced Sāʼbăl) ( Sabal palmetto ) originated with Native Americans, perhaps on seeing their first palm trees. With that being the case, it bodes for us to pay closer attention to the heritage of our state symbol. LIFE HISTORY These nobles began life in the Unite States in our southeastern region after having wandered north from the Caribbean area where they can thrive here today—with the proper care. They are also commonly called Cabbage, Palmetto or Hat palms, with 16 species spread across northeastern Mexico to Florida. They find a comfortable habitat in open areas, where the dunes flow and flats tidal, savannas breeze, occasionally swamp shades and even—salt marshes! How many of us know that the State of Florida has honored this tree by designating it as the official state tree—that happened in 1953—more than likely because it's all over the...

Figure 1. Sea oats growing along the dunes. This post is one of a series from Botany professor Nisse Goldberg's students at Jacksonville University. Student authors: Jennifer Scaduto and Lori Waite If you have ever been to a sandy beach in the state of Florida then you have likely seen sea oats. This grass can grow up to 6 ft tall and the individual grass leaves can be as big as 2 ft long and 1 in wide. Like most grasses, the leaves are long and tapered. These grasses are extraordinarily tough. Naturally growing in coastal dunes, they thrive in the hot sands, where the top layer can reach temperatures between 120⁰ and 127⁰ F. Unlike many other dune plants, sea oats are found along the dune crest and can tolerate daily exposure to sea spray. They even can withstand hurricane winds and periods of drought. The plant has a special relationship with vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi. The fungi bind to the roots (in a positive way!) and thereby increase access to...