Walking Trails with Wildflower Adventures Plus

By:  Stephen Greer, CED Santa Rosa County

There is a lot to be said about early morning or late afternoon walks along a woodland trail in Northwest Florida.  With so much to see, hear and smell there is never enough time to take it all in.   I would suggest slowing down and look for the many colorful and interesting plants these native plant communities have to offer.

I had the great fortune to meet with a group of plant explores lead by Angus Gholson, botanist and conservationist with a passion to share his knowledge in Washington County many years ago for a 5-hour hiking adventure.  We hiked an exceptional longleaf pine forest with immense flora on the forest floor.  It was all but impossible to see everything.

We searched for unique and common plants in the Sandhills and Clayhills in the central and northern areas of Washington County.  Here are just a few of the plants we saw along our hike and some detail about them.

St. Peter’s-wort, Hypericum tetapetalum is a wonderful Hypericum of the many we have in NW Florida.  With its ability to repeat bloom petite yellow flowers from March to November, we often get the chance to revisit these trails at a later date for another chance to enjoy them.  Like many repeat blooming natives, there will be weeks of rest periods with no bloom.  This shrub will grow to three feet tall allowing the flowers to peak out over other plants in the pine flatwoods.

Shiny Lyonia, Lyonia lucida is another exceptional shrub with many uses.  This evergreen can grow in low damp areas or with irrigation in landscapes to 10 to 12 feet tall.  When found in pine forest areas they range from 3 – 6 feet tall.  This Lyonia produces an attractive small bell-shaped red flower spread across a stem of last years growth similar to blueberry.  Flowering can occur between November and June.

Pale Meadow Beauty, Rhexia Marianna brings a soft pink bloom to the pine forest, grass prairies and edge of full sun to part-shade wetlands.  With the ability to grow in diverse landscapes in Northwest Florida it can just about show up anywhere, bloom a few weeks and melt back into the natural setting.  Seeding is best completed in the fall and consistent moisture is needed for bloom to occur.

 

 

All three of the plants in this article can be found at native plant nurseries.  Call the nursery well ahead of time to make sure they either have it or can order it for you.  Enjoy the outdoors and adventure it has to offer.