Common in Florida and all up and down the US east coast, the red maple (or swamp maple) will remind northern transplants of their precious fall colors. If you miss maple trees while you’re in Florida — here’s your answer! Florida’s Red Maple: A Naturalist’s Delight Introduction Greetings, nature enthusiasts! Today, we embark on an […]
Flora & Fauna
Southern Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera)
This plant is very common in the dry prairie, and its crushed leaves have a distinct pleasant aroma. As a naturalist, the privilege of wandering through Florida’s diverse landscapes reveals endless wonders, each with its own story to tell. Among the many remarkable plants that grace this region, the Southern Wax Myrtle (Myrica cerifera) stands […]
Dogfennel (Eupatorium capillifolium)
Very common around Sarasota, particularly in disturbed areas like roadsides and trails. Take a small piece — crush and sniff — for a unique aroma, somewhat like dill.
Florida panther (P. c. couguar)
Greetings, fellow nature aficionados! Buckle up, because we’re about to embark on an adventure through the wild heart of Florida to get acquainted with one of its most fascinating inhabitants: the Florida Panther. This magnificent big cat is the ultimate blend of stealth, beauty, and raw power, and it’s got a story that’s as thrilling […]
Turkey Oak (Quercus laevis)
Goldenrod (Solidago)
In the right season, you’ll see goldenrod crying out yellow all over the place, and it certainly helps that there are well over a hundred species around. I see goldenrod in Florida and in New England, and everywhere between, I can’t pretend to say which species I’m looking at it any given time — but […]
Rough Horsetail (Equisetum hyemale)
These look like tiny bamboo tree trunks, and I’ve seen them infrequently, but up and down the US east coast, as well as in Florida. Like ferns, they reproduce with spores instead of seeds.
