Sit for a spell on the bench and watch the water at Boonie Falls cascade over cypress knees. The natural falls are small at only 2-3 feet high but they sure are beautiful.
For a map and trailhead of the Florida Trail – Lockwood to Barr click
Sit for a spell on the bench and watch the water at Boonie Falls cascade over cypress knees. The natural falls are small at only 2-3 feet high but they sure are beautiful.
For a map and trailhead of the Florida Trail – Lockwood to Barr click
Indian Blanket, Gaillardia-pulchella, is also commonly known as a Firewheel. Indian Blanket flowers are members of the Aster family, grow to 1.5 feet tall and 2 feet wide, and are considered a short-lived perennial or an annual in Florida.
The Indian Blanket can often be spotted near Florida’s coasts on dry land. Since the early 1700s, this flower has been planted along roadsides much to the delight of Floridians and tourists.
A study done by Marlowe & Hufford in 2007 showed the DNA from the Indian Blanket was similar to those found in the more western species. More recent research by Weakley et al. 2020 has shown more evidence that it was likely cultivated rather than naturally spread.
The bright orange, red, and yellow flowers of the Indian Blanket make a beautiful addition to your garden. Butterflies, bees, and wasps are attracted to its pollen. Titmice, chickadees, and warblers enjoy the seeds. Once the flowers dry up, gather seeds by deadheading the plant. Indian Blankets are dormant in the winter.
Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain
Florida has many wildflower test sites along roadsides. In the panhandle, including near I10, you can see miles of these sites. These photos were taken off the side of the road in Live Oak, FL. The projects are part of Florida’s roadside plantings and highway beautification programs by the Florida Department of Transportation.
The area has a total of eight planting districts throughout the state, each with different plant species for those areas. These sites serve two major goals; to increase pollinator populations and diversity and to produce native vegetation that negates the need for mowing. The projects were also found to increase safety (Norcini 2014) and provide a great benefit through carbon sequestration (Harrison 2014). Finally, they add the beauty of true Florida that everyone can enjoy. Have you seen any roadside wildflower sites? Tell us about them in the comments.
Photo credits: Aymee Laurain
Collier-Seminole State Park, located in Naples, is a 7,271-acre park that offers the opportunity to explore part of the Great Mangrove Swamp of South Florida and an original stand of royal palms. Discover wildlife and wildflowers like those in the Everglades.
Learn about the Bay City Walking Dredge No. 489, a mechanical engineering marvel that walked forward as it dredged limestone to create a road from Tampa0 to Miami.
Collier-Seminole State Park has four wonderful nature trails ranging from less than a mile on the Royal Palm Hammock Nature Trail to the 5.25 mile Strand Swamp Trail. Discover the plants and animals, many imperiled, that live in the park. The park is designated a Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail so be sure to bring your camera/binoculars.
Launch your canoe or kayak at the ADA accessible launch. Explore the Blackwater River on the 13.5-mile canoe trail. As you paddle through the mangroves to Blackwater Bay, look for crocodiles, alligators, otters, manatees, and a variety of wading birds.
Primitive camping sites and campsites for your RV and tents are available. There are bike trails, two pavilions, picnic tables, and a playground for your enjoyment. Leashed pets are welcome.
For more information: https://www.floridastateparks.org/…/collier-seminole-state-…
Photo Credit: Ileana Rodriguez
Once known as the Eichelberger Sink, this 90-acre preserve located near Eustis is managed by Lake County Water Authority. Hidden Waters Preserve was established in 1996 to protect the water seepage and Lake Alfred where water slowly seeps into the aquifer.
Hidden Waters Preserve offers 6 trails ranging from 2 miles to 15 miles. Hike the meandering paths through sandhill restoration areas. Notice the newly planted Long-leaf pines and the gopher tortoises who make their burrows there. Water flowing from a seepage slope offers the opportunity to discover various plants and ferns.
The elevational difference between the top of the sink and the bottom is 110 feet. Explore the depression marsh and lake at the bottom of the sink where you will find a variety of plants and wading birds. Bird watchers will be happy to discover some of the more than 35 birds on this designated FWC Statewide Birding Trail.
For more information and trail maps click here: https://www.lcwa.org/land_resources/open_preserves.php
Photo Credit: Dan Kon
Butterfly weed, Asclepias tuberosa, is also known as Butterfly milkweed. It is the most popular native species of milkweed in Florida. This hardy perennial grows 1-2 feet tall and is abundant throughout Florida. Its bright orange flowers bloom in late summer through fall and attract a variety of pollinators.
Butterfly weed is readily available at native plant nurseries. Once established, it thrives in dry, sandy soil in sun or part shade. Monarchs rely on milkweeds in the genus Asclepias for their survival since it is the only plant monarch caterpillars will eat. Plant some in your wildflower garden to attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area
As part of the Upper St. Johns River Basin Project, Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area includes a freshwater marsh at southernmost headwaters of the St. Johns River, a hardwood swamp, pine flatwoods, and a prairie. Together, The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and St. Johns River Water Management District have restored the original wetlands which resulted in better water quality, flood control, and diverse animal and plant habitats.
Family-friendly recreational activities include hiking on some or all of the 5 miles of trails, picnicking, horseback riding, bicycling, primitive camping at designated sites, wildlife viewing, and canoeing. Saunter through a hardwood swamp on a boardwalk shaded by Cedar Cypress Trees as you make your way to Hog Island where you will find more trails to explore.
Look for migratory birds, bald eagles, owls and other raptors, sandhill cranes, turkeys, wood storks, caracara, white-tailed deer, dragonflies, turtles, and alligators. Discover the vast number of wildflowers and the pollinators who rely on them.
Dogs are welcome provided they are leashed at all times. Fort Drum Marsh Conservation Area, located about 10 miles east of Yeehaw Junction, is fun for all and is waiting for you to create memories to last a lifetime! Plan your trip today!
For a trail guide and more information:
https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/fort-drum-marsh/
Photo credit: Dan Kon, Aymee Laurain, Andy Waldo
Ironweed (Vernonia gigantea) is a Florida native and can be a beautiful addition to your wildflower garden. Ironweed grows 3-10 feet tall, can be planted in partial shade or sun, and blooms from July through October. Butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees love this pollinator perennial. As its name suggests, ironweed is a tough plant with deep-set roots and seeds that spread easily in your garden. Be prepared to prune and maintain to keep this beauty in check.
Look for Ironweed growing in the wild where the soil is moist. You may also see this hardy plant along the side of the road or a stream as well as in the woods, prairies, savannas, and grasslands.
Kiss-me-quick (Portulaca pilosa) —
Also known as Pink Purslane, Kiss-me-quicks are native succulents that can be used as a groundcover. They will thrive in nutrient-poor soil as long as it is well-drained. These low-growing plants with linear leaves produce red, pink, or purple blooms in the morning that close in the afternoon, hence the name Kiss-me-quick.
Look for Kiss-me-quicks in the wild in sunny, sandy areas.
Lance-leaf Arrowhead, (Sagittaria lancifolia), is commonly found in freshwater marshes and swamps and along streams, ponds, and lakes. It tolerates brackish water. This native Florida plant, also known as Duck Potato, can grow to 4-feet tall. The plant is a rhizomatous perennial that also reproduces with seed dispersal. It thrives in water up to 12-inches deep and in silty, wet soils.
Birds enjoy the seeds and tubers and use the plants for cover. Other aquatic animals such as fish and insects find shelter in the foliage. Lance-leaf Arrowhead extracts metals and nutrients from water and sediments where it grows. Native Americans used the corms which are bulb-like stem parts as food, to treat wounds, and as herbal medicine to treat a variety of ailments.
Savannah False Pimpernel, Lindernia grandiflora Nutt., is a native Florida groundcover found in wetlands, swamps, and marshes. Other common names include Blue moneywort and Angel’s tears.
The small violet and white flowers bloom year-round and provide a nectar source for pollinators.
Narrowleaf Yellowtop
Native to Florida, the Narrowleaf Yellowtop, Flaveria linearis, is an evergreen perennial commonly found in South Florida and along the coasts of Central Florida. Look for it near mangrove swamps, wet prairies, and tidal marshes. It grows 3 feet tall and produces yellow blooms of 2 -3 inches. Narrowleaf Yellowtop blooms all summer and fall and can be found blooming in the winter and summer too. Bees and butterflies are attracted to this beauty.
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…
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.
In the Sabal Point neighborhood near Longwood lies 600 acres of wild Florida where wildlife play and wildflowers bloom. Sabal Point Sanctuary, purchased and maintained by Audubon Florida, is a 600+ acre piece of land that has a 1/2 mile frontage on the Little Wekiva and Wekiva Rivers. Together, the sanctuary along with St. Johns Water Management District protects 2500 acres where the rivers meet.
Hike or bike the 3.5-mile trail through the wetlands. Explore the shaded trail and discover deer, otters, and limpkins. Listen for a variety of birds and woodpeckers. The secluded trail provides plenty of opportunities to discover prints from wildlife who make their homes there. Take a moment to admire the beauty of orchids and other wildflowers that thrive in the ecosystem.
The iconic Florida Black Bear occasionally passes through the sanctuary. Most are shy and will be hard to spot. Curious bears may stand up to get a better look at you. You can ask the bear to move along simply by standing tall, raising your hands, clapping, and in a loud stern voice, telling the bear to Go Away.
Take some time to Get Outside and visit this piece of natural Florida. Sabal Point Sanctuary is open every day from sun up to sunset.
For more information: https://fl.audubon.org/conservation/sabal-point
Photo Credit: Andy Waldo
Withlacoochee State Forest has been named one of the “10 Coolest Places You’ve Never Been in North America” by the World Wildlife Fund. Managed by the Florida Forest Service, the Withlacoochee State Forest is located on U.S. Highway 41 approximately seven miles north of the town of Brooksville and 50 miles north of Tampa and is a nature lovers paradise.
Hike, bike, or horseback ride on miles of trails, or simply drive through the forest. Paddle the winding Withlacoochee River, Little Withlacoochee River, and Jumper Creek, all of which have been recognized as Outstanding Florida Waters.
Notice the variety of trees at Withlacoochee State Forest. Discover southern magnolias, oaks, maples, gums, slash pine, longleaf pine, pond cypress, bald cypress, and hickory. Blooming blazing stars, goldenrod, thistle, and more will greet you along the way.
Withlacoochee State Forest is teeming with wildlife. The forest is part of The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and is designated a Florida Scenic Trail. Listen and look for fox squirrels, white-tailed deer, gopher tortoises, rabbits, gray squirrels, wild turkeys, sandhill cranes, hawks, bald eagles, and owls.
Croom Motorcycle Area provides 2,600 acres of off-road facilities for motorcycle and ATV enthusiasts.
For those who want to take their time and explore all of Withlacoochee State Forest campgrounds are available. There are several primitive campgrounds for those who want a more rustic experience. The Tillis Hill Day Use Area is a perfect place for larger gatherings. A pavilion, commercial-sized grill/smoker, and dining hall are available for cooking and feeding your guests. There are 3 pavilions and numerous picnic tables waiting for you to enjoy your picnic at McKethan Lake.
Leashed pets are allowed in some areas. Be sure to stop at the Withlacoochee State Forest Visitor Center for maps, current conditions, and more.
For more information: https://www.fdacs.gov/…/State-Fo…/Withlacoochee-State-Forest
Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain
Blue Passion Flowers (Passiflora incarnate), also known as Maypops, are native to Florida and easy to grow in your yard. They are host plants for Gulf Fritillary butterflies and attract a variety of bees and butterflies as well as hummingbirds and bats. Look for Blue Passion Flowers along roadsides and in citrus groves or anywhere there is dry soil.
A Blue Passion Flower vine is a must-have for your butterfly garden. The stunning 3-5 inch blooms only last for a day, however, they bloom summer through fall. Plant this vine along a fence or let it climb up your arbor or trellis. The Maypop will die back after frost but will pop up again in May.
Forked Bluecurls, Trichostema dichotomum, are native to Florida and a member of the mint family. Bees and other pollinators are attracted to their aromatic blue-violet flowers. They are often found in thickets and dry pinelands. Look for blooms in August and September.
Because they propagate easily from seeds, Forked Bluecurls will thrive in your wildflower garden and may need to be controlled to leave room for other wildflowers.
Scarlet Rosemallow, Hibiscus coccineus, is native to Florida and can be found in swamps and wetlands along lakes and streams. Also known as Marsh Hibiscus, the scarlet flowers on this water-loving shrub appear in late spring and summer and only last for a day. Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to the beautiful crimson wildflowers.
Bonus: Scarlet Rosemallow can be grown in your home garden in an area that receives plenty of water.
Alafia River State Park, located in Hillsborough County, is the place to go for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking. Alafia River State Park sits on what was once a phosphate mine known as Fort Lonesome. Mining companies donated the 7,733-acre area to the state.
The mining companies changed the landscape and left behind an area with small lakes and steep grades. Alafia boasts elevations high enough to challenge members of the International Mountain Bike Association. Alafia UBC is on-site for bike rentals and repairs.
Spend the night or sleep under the stars at Alafia. Family, equestrian, and primitive campsites are available. Host your family or friends for an outdoor get-together. Rent a pavilion for your next party, reunion, or event.
There are 20 miles of hilly trails waiting to be explored at Alafia River State Park. Hike, horseback ride, or take a leisurely stroll through the forests. Eat your picnic lunch lakeside or under one of the pavilions. Canoe or kayak on the Alafia River. Discover the many birds, wildlife, and plants who call Alafia home.
For more information including what is currently open, click here :
–https://www.floridastateparks.org/Alafia
Photo Credit: Aymee Laurain
Tiger Creek Preserve at Lake Wales Ridge
Tiger Creek Preserve is located on the eastern side of Lake Wales Ridge about five miles north of Frostproof in Babson. It boasts approximately 10 miles of trails within its 4869 acres and is protected almost entirely by the Nature Conservancy in partnership with USFWS and the State of Florida.
Lake Wales Ridge was once a beach and sand dune where animals and plants developed to thrive in the island’s sandy soil. Only about 15% of this 2.3 million-year-old scrub ecosystem exists today. Here you will find one of the highest concentrations of endangered and threatened animals and plants in the US.
Tiger Creek Preserve contains sandhill habitat as well as scrubby flatwood, pine flatwood, longleaf pine, hammock, and hardwood swamp habitats. Two Blackwater streams wind through the preserve. The streams collect water on higher ground and become black as tannins from leaf litter and other vegetation leaches into the water. The Nature Conservancy protects the habit with prescribed burns and the removal of invasive species.
Hike, bike, canoe, or kayak at Tiger Creek Preserve. Look for gopher tortoises, bald eagles, hawks, and the curious Florida Scrub-Jay. Experience the thrill of exploring Florida’s ancient and imperiled scrub and sandhill habitats while discovering some of the 40 endemic invertebrates, more than 40 endemic plants, and 4 threatened wildlife species.
For more information:
https://www.nature.org/…/places-we-pr…/tiger-creek-preserve/
Photo Credit: Andy Waldo
Florida Tasselflower
Despite its name, Florida Tasselflower (Emilia fosbergii), is not native to Florida. They are very adaptable and can be found in sunny or shady areas and are commonly found in yards in peninsular Florida.
Also known as Flora’s Paintbrush, this dainty little plant is most often considered a weed. They can reach heights of 2-3 feet and may produce 50 or more florets. Seeds are spread by the wind from their dandelion-like seedheads.
As a member of the aster family, Florida Tasselflower is an annual and may bloom year-round. Bees, wasps, and butterflies are attracted to their pink, red, or purple flowers.
Note: USDA considers the Lilac Tasselflower, Emilia sonchifolia, to be native. https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=EMSO
In Your Neighborhood
Get outside. Stroll through your neighborhood. Connect with Nature.
Listen to the leaves rustling in the wind and the birds chirping among the branches. Admire the beauty of a dead tree or limb while considering the wildlife who depend on them.
Look for tiny wildflowers peeking from under a shrub. Pause for a few minutes and immerse yourself in the busy life of a bug or an ant colony. Our wild friends are as curious about us as we are of them. When you meet one, cherish the moment.
Inhale deeply. Exhale all of your negative thoughts. Let your cares be swept away on the wings of a bird soaring with the wind.
Sky-Blue Lupine
Photo Credit – Andy Waldo at Lake Wales Ridge
Helen & Allan Cruickshank Sanctuary
The Helen and Allen Cruickshank Sanctuary is the perfect place to take a hike. Originally part of a large scrub habitat located near the Indian River Lagoon in Rockledge, this 140-acre sanctuary was acquired by the EEL program and is surrounded by development.
The Cruickshank Sanctuary is best known for its friendly Florida Scrub-jay population. The 1-mile nature trail through a pine flatwoods habitat offers opportunities to observe a variety of plants and animals who thrive in the sanctuary. Listen for mockingbirds, sparrows, Eastern Towhees, woodpeckers and more. Look up to see birds of prey. Admire the abundance of wildflowers and pollinators along the way.
There is not much shade so be sure to wear sunscreen and a hat.
For more information and hours: https://www.visitspacecoast.com/…/helen-and-allan-cruicksha…
Photo Credit Dan Kon & Andy Waldo
Scorpion-tail Heliotropium angiospermum
These delightful little plants are members of the Boraginaceae family which include common forget-me-nots. They can establish well in sandy and disturbed sites and are commonly found in coastal hammocks. They also make an excellent addition to your garden.
Creeping Sage (Salvia misella)
These blue beauties are quite subtle but get a lot of buzz from the bees. It makes an excellent groundcover and does well in sandy soil. It has a slight aroma that is very earthy but not overwhelming and is a host plant for the fulvous hairstreak. It goes dormant in the winter but quickly returns when temperatures warm up for spring. Do you have an interesting native ground cover in your yards?
Lyonia Preserve is a hidden gem located in Deltona, Volusia County. It is a 360 acre restored scrub ecosystem with three clearly marked hiking trails and an educational center. Named for the Rusty Lyonia, a scrub plant, this imperiled Florida ecosystem is found on a high sandy ridge with open areas of white sand, low vegetation, dwarf oak trees, and few tall trees.
Three trails meander through the Preserve where you will experience more than 164 species of plants and 124 species of animals including Florida mice, gopher tortoises, gopher frogs, and many other species of birds, mammals, and insects. Located on The Great American Birding Trail, you may see white-eyed Vireos, Eastern Towhees, Common Nighthawks. and many more so bring your binoculars and camera.
This Preserve had been restored and maintained as scrub habitat for threatened Florida Scrub-Jays. Scrub Jays are endemic to Florida and depend on scrub habitats for survival. Scrub Jays are not shy birds. They are curious about people and may even approach you.
The Lyonia Preserve has no shade so come prepared. Bring water, sunscreen, and close-toed shoes for the soft, sandy trails. There is a covered picnic pavilion to enjoy your picnic lunch before visiting the Educational Center.
The Educational Center shares the complex with the Deltona Library. It features an outdoor amphitheater, classrooms, ecological exhibits, fresh and saltwater habitats as well as native and non-native reptiles and mammals. The Center offers insights and education into this fragile scrub ecosystem and the animals and plants who live there.
Photo Credit: Lourdes Brown
Rose of Plymouth (Sabatia stellaris)
This vibrant wildflower is found throughout the coastal regions of Florida, from the panhandle to the Keys. It is tolerant of salty and flooded soils. These plants are annuals and require open soil to spread and reseed. Depending on the conditions, the Rose of Plymouth can grow from 6 inches to 24 inches tall. The flowers are 1 to 1-1/2 inches wide and the plant creates many blooms. Flowers peak in the summer but can be seen blooming all year long. Rose of Plymouth can be grown from seeds and cuttings in wet to moist soils.
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