Eastern purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea), J. W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area.

Florida, part 6: Wildflowers

Florida means "flowering" - this name was given to a newly explored land by Ponce de Leon. There are more than 4000 species of flowering plants here, over 300 of them endemic.

Fewflower milkweed (Asclepias lanceolata), John D. MacArthur Beach State Park.

Carolina desertchicory (Pyrrhopappus carolinianus), Sunnyhill Restoration Area.

There's a lot of wildflowers at any time of the year, although most species bloom sometime between March and August. The most diverse areas are the lakes region of central Florida and the Keys.

Nuttall's thistle (Cirsium nuttallii), Fred C. Babcock-Cecil M. Webb Wildlife Management Area.

Spring-run spiderlily (Hymenocallis rotata), Timucan Ecological and Historic Preserve.

Bushy seaside oxeye (Borrichia frutescens), Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex.

Due to high diversity and lots of introduced species, identifying Florida plants can be very difficult.

Whitemouth dayflower (Commelina erecta), Okeeheelee Park Nature Center.

Virginia saltmarsh mallow (Kosteletzkya virginica), Briggs Nature Center.

Virginia saltmarsh mallow, Highlands Hammock State Park.

Caesarweed (Urena lobata), introduced, Oscar Scherer State Park.

Tread-softly (Cnidoscolus stimulosus), Withlacoochee State Forest.

Many local wildflowers are small, but still beautiful if you look closely. Big and bright ones, especially those found near cities, are often introduced.

Pineland waterwillow (Justicia angusta), Avon Park Air Force Range.

Bartram's rosegentian (Sabatia bartramii), Greynolds Park.

Rose-of-Plymouth (Sabatia stellaris), Naples.

Burrnut (Tribulus cistoides), Fern Forest Nature Center.

Peruvian primrosewillow (Ludwigia peruviana), introduced, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.

Unless mentioned otherwise, all plants shown on this and previous pages are Florida natives. Introduced plants are more interesting to see in their native habitats.

Royal paulownia (Paulownia tomentosa), introduced, Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center.

White gingerlily (Hedychium coronarium), Bivens Arm Nature Park.

Coastalplain chaffhead (Carphephorus corymbosus), Emeralda Marsh Conservation Area.

Bog white violet (Viola lanceolata), Anne Kolb Nature Center.

Showy milkwort (Polygala violacea), Barefoot Beach Preserve.

In some years, the spring rains come early - in late April instead of mid-May. Such early springs are the best time to look for wildflowers in the interior, where winter droughts are common. In coastal areas, dry years are better, because access is easier.

Candyroot milkwort (P. nana), Archbold Biological Station.

String-lily (Crinum americanum), Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area.

String-lily, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve.

Having a boat is essential for accessing some of the best wildflower habitats. I found an inflatable kayak to be ideally suited for Florida outdoors.

String-lily, Loxahatchee Preserve Nature Center.

Virginia willow (Itea virginica), Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary.

Glade lobelia (Lobelia glandulosa), Cayo Costa State Park.

Golden canna (Canna flaccida), Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge.

Fragrant ladiestresses (Spiranthes odorata), Everglades National Park.

Simpson's grasspink (Calopogon tuberosus var. simpsonii), ENP.

Florida has over 120 orchid species, and all of them are difficult to find. Powderpuff (Mimosa strigillosa), Barley Barber Swamp.

Simpson's grasspink, ENP.

Pink sundew (Drosera capillaris), Tosohatchee State Reserve.

Some local plants don't have particularly interesting flowers, but are still worth looking for. Florida has numerous beautiful ferns, mosses, and insectivorous plants, among other floral treasures. After living here for two years I still have a lot to see.

Cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), HHSP.

Tropical orchids growing in the street, Coral Gables.

Tropical orchids growing in the street, Coral Gables.

Even city streets here have lots of beautiful flowers, although very few of them are native. Expensive parts of town are the best places to look for interesting exotics.

Tropical orchids growing in the street, Coral Gables.

Monk orchid (Oeceoclades maculata), possibly introduced, Key Largo Hammocks State Botanical Site.

Part 7. Mammals

Back to Part 5