orchids

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve is Florida’s largest state park. The word “Fakahatchee” is the Miccosukee term for “forked river” referring to the water flow around the strand. This area has a canopy of bald cypress trees, royal palms, and occasional gumbo limbo trees. The area also contains more orchids and bromeliads than anywhere else in North America. There are 44 orchids and 14 bromeliads native to this area. Unfortunately, orchid poaching has been a large problem in the past. Keeping the Park Services number on hand and calling if you witness poaching could help protect the many endangered orchids that exist here.

The cypress trees were previously vulnerable to unregulated logging and very few old trees exist. You can also find small freshwater sponges on old floating tree branches. There is also an abundance of wildlife.

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park is on the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail. The strand offers biking, geocaching, canoeing, picnicking, and contains the Karen O’Neil Memorial Garden located at the entrance. Restrooms are available. There is so much to see in this beautiful swamp.

Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset. For more information, check out the website. https://www.floridastateparks.org/…/fakahatchee-strand-pres…

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Toothed Rein Orchid

Toothed Rein Orchid, Habenaria floribunda –

Toothed Rein Orchids are found only in Central and South Florida where they thrive in damp thickets and hardwood hammocks. They can grow to just over 3 feet tall. Each orchid has 5-12 bright, glossy green leaves and 10-60 flowers and lips. The flowers are light green but appear more yellow in South Florida. Fall blooms appear in September in Central Florida and bloom into February in South Florida. The flowers of the Toothed Rein Orchid have an unpleasant odor that is most noticeable around dusk.

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Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area

Located near Christmas Fl, the Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area includes an 18.6-mile loop trail that features a lake.

The trail is located along the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail so expect to see plenty of wildlife enjoying the area. Wading birds, eagles, ospreys, turkeys, deer, and alligators are some of the wildlife you may meet. Beautiful cabbage palm hammocks and freshwater marshes are waiting for you to explore. Discover bromeliads, orchids, ferns, and abundant wildflowers. Be on the lookout for rare pitcher plants, hand ferns, and cutthroat grass.

Short hikes can lead to many sightings and new discoveries like the virgin bald cypress stand in James Creek Swamp. There are trails for day hikes and hiking with overnight camping. Primitive campsites are available for the more adventurous including one along the 12 miles of the Florida National Scenic Trail. The unpaved roads are bicycle-friendly. For those who would rather view the scenery from the comfort of your air-conditioned vehicle, you are permitted to do so when the roads are not too wet or sandy. Dogs are welcome when on a leash.

Whether on foot, by bicycle, or from your vehicle:
Get Outside. Explore. Discover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ghost Orchid

The Ghost Orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii,) is rare and endangered. There are only an estimated 2000 left in Florida. This orchid is prized for its long, white delicate petals. It is leafless and its roots attach to the host tree. The mass of green roots clings tightly to the trunks. It is distinguished from other species of orchid by the presence of thin white markings dotting its roots.

The Ghost Orchid gets its name from its ability to move at night. It appears as if it’s floating, like a ghost.

The Ghost Orchid is pollinated by the Giant Spinx Moth, whose long tongue can reach the nectar that is not accessible to many insects. The swamps of cypress, pond apple, and palm trees are its preferred environment. The orchid’s specific habitat requirements are high humidity, mild temperatures, and dappled shade.

The Ghost Orchid does not flower reliably. It will typically flower one to two weeks once a year. It requires a specific fungus (mycorrhizal) to be able to thrive. because it is leafless, the orchid relies on its roots to produce sugars from sunlight. The Ghost Orchid has a symbiotic relationship with the fungus as it gathers nutrients from it in exchange for extra sugars.

Habitat destruction and development, as well as over-collecting, have been responsible for the decline of ghost orchid populations. The Ghost Orchid is a protected species in public land areas.

With gratitude to Jay Staton for his patience and perseverance in capturing this rare sight.
JAY STATON -Published on Oct 20, 2014
“A ghost orchid’s flower takes, on average, 2 days to fully open. This short video shows the remarkable beauty of the most sought-after orchid in the world, including background sound that gets you in the mood.”

https://youtu.be/USbPKZLFS14

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