Florida Factoid Friday

In the Fakahatchee Strand, near Copeland, grows the largest concentration and variety of orchids in North America. With 44 native orchids and 14 native bromeliad species, it is the orchid and bromeliad capital of the continent. The ecosystem of the Fakahatchee Strand is the only place in the world where bald cypress trees and royal palms share the forest canopy.

Mystery Solved

Suze correctly guessed it was a flower and KellyRae narrowed it down. We have to be really careful walking around the back 40, coz the prickly pears are sneaky. And if Duller happens to mow over one, the pieces produce more. I have yet to try a tuna salad, but I hear they're mighty tasty. Just make sure you get rid of ALL the 'bones'. 8-}

Mystery solved

Ah, 'tis the season... to forgive others' struggles to keep up with real life and cyber life and all the extras that go along with Christmas in a failing economy. 8-}
And there were storms the past couple days. Yesterday was pretty nasty and computer usage was stunted. Today, I'm taking a half day off to regroup.

I tried to post this last night, but I was just too exhausted. Anyhow, FC was right about its botanical nature. As far as specifics, I confess I can't remember this one's name. I went back nearly 5 years into the archives for the pic. But it's a pretty cool looking plant that does bear a striking resemblance to a spoonbill. 8-}

Hope y'all are having a blessed Christmas month.

In the immortal words of what's-his-name (from HSB)... be careful out there.

Mystery solved

FC is just too good at this! Yes, it is, indeed, a spider lily. If I had more gumption, I'd go dig up my wildflower guide to see what kind. I pulled this picture out of my old files, so I'm not even sure exactly where I found it. 8-}

Mystery solved

Jena guessed, magnolia having been ruled out, that it is a water lily.

Fragrant waterlily, (AKA American waterlily, AKA Alligator Bonnet) Nymphaea odorata.

This one was found at St Marks Wildlife Refuge, floating among dozens of its water-sisters.

Mystery solved

Brenda was first to guess dandelion.

Dandelions can be beneficial to a garden ecosystem as well as to human health. Dandelions attract beneficial ladybugs and provide early spring pollen for their food. In a study done at the University of Wisconsin, experimental plots with dandelions had more ladybugs than dandelion free plots, and fewer pest aphids, a favorite food of the ladybugs. Dandelions long roots aerate the soil and enable the plant to accumulate minerals, which are added to the soil when the plant dies.

Not only are dandelions good for your soil, they are good for your health. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a serving of uncooked dandelion leaves contains 280 percent of an adult's daily requirement of beta carotene as well as more than half the requirement of vitamin C. Dandelions are also rich in vitamin A. *

Mystery revealed

The dogwood blossoms are gone, but the wisteria is still lingering, but not for long. All sorts of ants are cruising the purple variety.

The whites have mostly fizzled by now. The butterflies and bees made hay over them while the sun shined.

I've been really busy the past few weeks getting ready to list our house again... and this week preparing for a long weekend. Please forgive my skimpy posts and scant responses. I'll get back in the swing soonly. Just remember I still love y'all loads. 8-]

Have a JESUS-filled day! ^i^

Mystery solved

Hey-hey, KellyRae! Yep, it's a thistle. Another attractive invasive.

One thistle plant can produce at least 4,000 seeds, so it's best to yank them out before they flower. But the butterflies do love them. And no, goldfinches don't eat the seeds. The 'thistle' seeds they love are actually from the niger plant from Ethiopia. And those that are sold for bird feeders are heated to prevent germination.

Blue curls answers

I missed several questions about the blue curls pics the other day. So here are a few more details. This slightly larger than life picture, gives you a better idea just how small the flowers are.

They are FL natives, found throughout the state. In fact, they grow all the way up to southern Maine and west as far as Texas. The plant is a member of the mint family. It grows wild, but might be found at a native nursery. As of last year, it was available at Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Native Plant Nursery in Sanibel. Look for them now. They bloom from August through October.