In the vibrant tapestry of Florida’s flora, two plants stand out – the invasive Mexican Petunia and the native Tropical Sage (Salvia coccinea). While one has found its way into gardens and landscapes, the other has deep roots in Florida’s native ecosystem. In this blog post, we will delve into the intriguing world of these…
Every September the Swamp Sunflowers finally begin opening their flower buds and by mid-October they are in full bloom! I use the word “finally” because it is a long journey from seedling to bloom for this flora species! Swamp sunflowers, Helianthus angustifolius, is a native herbaceous perennial that will die back every winter, and re-sprout in the spring.…
When October arrives in Florida, it may not bring the same fiery tree foliage that northern states boast, but the Sunshine State has its own unique way of celebrating fall. One of the standout performers of this season is Helianthus angustifolius, commonly known as the swamp sunflower or narrowleaf sunflower. This vibrant native plant paints natural…
The temperatures have started to take a turn for the cooler throughout much of Florida, but does that mean conditions are no longer ripe for mushrooms and other fungi to grow? Not so fast, says Matthew Smith, a University of Florida fungi expert. “Florida has two ‘seasons’ of different fungi, at least,” said Smith, a professor…
Happy Fall! Happy Fall, everyone! Fall is my favorite time of year. As the summer temperatures begin to wane, I feel invigorated. As the end of the month nears, trees’ leaves change to their usual colors of reds, yellows, oranges, and purples. Throughout our community we will see decorations abound, pumpkins aglow, and the sweet…
Master Naturalist students in the field, looking for aquatic invertebrates Photo credit: Carrie Stevenson, UF IFAS ExtensionField work is the heart and soul of any good research project in botany or wildlife ecology. When kids—heck, even most adults—picture a “scientist,” usually one of two images comes to mind. First will be the chemist in a full…
The importance of greenspaces within urban areas provides essential habitats for the migrating Eastern Meadowlarks above and the Magnolia Warbler below.Human activities cause changes to wildlife biodiversity co-existing on urban and agricultural lands. For birds, little is known about the factors or extent these human activities impose on their biodiversity as they co-exist in…
Hello, Spooky Season Enthusiasts! October is here, and you know what that means: pumpkins, costumes, and lots of treats! But wait, should treats only mean sugar-laden candies and chocolates? This Halloween, let’s aim for treats that aren’t tricks on our health. Why Should We Care? Halloween may come just once a year, but its…
Welcome to our Lawn Ornament blog series, where we explore one of the plethora of micro-plants that can help create a biodiverse, predominantly green, yet also delightfully colorful lawn that requires much less maintenance than a traditional grass lawn. Many homeowners find it difficult and costly to maintain a “traditional” lawn, one largely dominated by a single…
Many homeowners find it difficult and costly to maintain a “traditional” lawn, one largely dominated by a single turfgrass cultivar. Embracing a biodiverse landscape can help ease the frustration and save money, with the added bonus of providing ecological benefits. This “Lawn Ornament” series will provide a road map to that goal. Along the way,…
“Variety is the Spice of Life” – White, Purplish and Pinkish False Heather – Ideal CompanionsAgain – under the umbrella of variety – I wanted to bring to your attention the fact that many common landscape plants can come in different color variations to the benefit of your plant palette. One such plant which I…
One of the few palms that do better in partial shade, Windmill Palms (Trachycarpus fortunei) are known for trunks bearing a burlap-like fibrous matting.Planting Site The Windmill Palm does best when not planted in area that is constantly in full sun (morning/afternoon sun or dappled shade), and it prefers well-drained soils. At maturity, it gets to…
