Florida in February

We now make an annual trip to Florida in February. This year I had targets in mind and an anticipated visit to a site I had not been to in some 30+ years. Everything went as planned.

The main target was Torreya taxifolia, the endangered Florida Torreya. Which we were able to easily find at Torreya State Park. The wild trees are all pretty much fenced off and easily located. This tree has a very limited range along the Appalachicola River and tributaries. There are apparently less than 500 trees left in the wild, all in some state of poor health.

Then we were hoping to find an array of four wakerobins (Trillium decipens, Trilium lanceolatum, Trillium maculatum and Trillium underwoodii) all of which I believe we found. They are a difficult group. We spent a lot of time on our knees and bellies measuring leaves, stems, bracts and petals as well as photographing. It was an amazing day of botany at Florida Caverns State Park.

Finally, for the relaxing portion of our Florida Panhandle trip I had rented cabin at T. H. Stone Memorial State Park. What a treat. We spent several days walking trails, wading in the bay and snorkeling. The highlight was finding a glass lizard on our own 'private' boardwalk to the bay.

On our way to our cabin on the beach we were made aware of the Sumatra area. Here there are extensive fen, fen-like areas filled with carnivorous plants - pitcher plants, sundews, bladderworts and butterworts. A botanical dream.

So, I've managed to post an overabundance of photos of wakerobins and some of the other highlights from this February escape from the Michigan winter.

Mike

Posted on Αύγουστος 10, 2017 0341 ΜΜ by makielb