The Longleaf: An Urban Forest Legend

Creeping Wood Sorrel

2012-01-26T11:47:00.001-05:00

Green is starting to appear in the undergrowth of the BackWoods Forest Preserve as perennial plants clamber out from under the leaf litter. One favorite of this season is Creeping Wood Sorrel (Oxalis corniculata).

Rich in vitamin C, the leaves and flowers of this plant are edible and have a slight tang of lemons. The genus name Oxalis comes from the Greek oxus, which means "sour" in reference to the tangy flavor of the plant. This wood sorrel and many other related plants contain Oxalic Acid so a "steady diet of raw leaves," is not recommended. [1] If you have this tasty edible growing in your yard and want to experiment with eating it, lots of recipes are available online. A quick search for wood sorrel recipes found

As always, when considering eating of wild edibles, take care to make sure that the plant that you have is indeed edible. Many online and book references exist to help you identify your plants.

For more on this species

[1] Rombauer, Rombauer Becker, and Becker (1931/1997). Joy of Cooking, p.415. ISBN 0-684-81870-1.

Coat Buttons

2011-12-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

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Coat Buttons (Tridax procumbens) is a daisy-like weedy flower that is not native to Florida. This invasive wildflower spreads readily by wind-dispersed seeds and can take hold in unusual spots with little soil. This flower was recently observed growing and blooming among the gravel on the roof of the main MOSI building, just outside the glass stairway to the top of the IMAX dome.

The genus name, Tridax, means three-toothed and refers to the tooth like ending points of the flower petals. Although considered a pest, this flower is often visited by butterflies in the winter when other nectar sources have become scarce. This patch of Coat Buttons was found among the grass around a retention pond on the east side of the Backwoods Forest Preserve.

Caeser’s Weed

2011-12-21T14:28:00.000-05:00

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Caeser’s Weed (Urena lobata) is an erect and weedy invasive shrub that can often be found in disturbed sites of south Florida. Here in the Backwoods Forest Preserve we sometimes find this weed growing in open and sunny spots on the edge of the woodland or in the open grassy area near the sinkhole.

The fruits of this plant spread seeds readily especially with the help of humans and animals. The outside of the fruit has bristly hook-ended hairs that cling to hair, fur and clothing very readily. Please take care to avoid the seeds so that you don’t help to spread this invasive species.

Learn more about this invasive species at the IFAS website.

Florida Tasselflower

2011-12-19T14:12:00.001-05:00

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Florida Tasselflower (Emilia fosbergii) is a diminutive weedy wildflower. Native to the Old World, this readily seeding wildflower has naturalized in Florida and other southern states often traveling through the ornamental landscape trade.

On warm days, look for a variety of small insects taking nectar and pollen from these flowers. Bees and even butterflies can be observed visiting the tassel-like flowers.

These pinky purple beauties were found blooming near a retention pond at the east side of the Backwoods Forest Preserve.

Paintedleaf

2011-12-12T08:34:00.000-05:00

Paintedleaf (Euphorbia cyathophora) is also known as Wild Poinsettia. This plant has a milky sap that can irritate skin and should be handled with care. Each fall and winter the center of the leaves blaze with a brilliant red color that makes this plant easy to pick out in the forest.

Read more about this species at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Coastal Jointweed

2011-12-07T09:13:00.000-05:00

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Blooming in the sandhill, this lovely and dainty wildflower is commonly known as Coastal or Sand Jointweed (Polygonella articulata). The white flowers are tiny and bloom at the ends of thin branches. Read more about this species at Connecticut Botanical Society.

Sandhill Wireweed

2011-12-05T09:04:00.000-05:00

The sandy uplands of the Back Woods Forest Preserve are abloom with Sandhill Wireweed and other Florida native wildflowers.

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Sandhill Wireweed (Polygonella robusta) is a lovely fall-blooming wildflower that starts snowy white and takes on a pinkish hue as the flowers fully open. Read more about this plant over at Florida Native Wildflowers.

Wetlands Portrait

2011-12-01T09:00:00.000-05:00

A quick snapshot of the wetlands on a cloudy day as viewed from the edge of a retention pond. This photo was taken in color and no alterations have been made to the image. It seemed lonely and a little haunting on a still day.

An Autumn Walk in the Backwoods

2011-11-30T13:02:00.001-05:00

Temperatures are down in the Backwoods here at MOSI, but the mosquitoes are just as active as ever! Fully covered in bug spray, we set off to see what was going on in the Backwoods on a recent still and humid morning, and found lots of fall wildflowers in bloom. Some we know, like the Narrowleaf Silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia), Hammock Snakeroot (Ageratina jucunda), and Paintedleaf (Euphorbia cyathophora). Others we’re still working to identify. Click through the albums below, and if you can offer us an ID on any of the pictures, please let us know!

Jill’s Album:

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Kristen’s Album:

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A Fond Farewell

2010-12-17T09:03:00.001-05:00

It is with a degree of sadness that I bid farewell to the Back Woods and MOSI. I am moving on to a new position collecting data on the greater urban forest of Tampa Bay and it’s surrounding watersheds with the University of Florida.

It has been my great pleasure to have had an opportunity to work with the wonderful staff at MOSI and all of the outstanding volunteers that have helped with our restoration activities in the Back Woods.

I will truly miss this little piece of woods…I leave with a multitude of happy memories of quirky finds, battles with invasive species, and the many gopher tortoises all named Fred!

I truly hope you have enjoyed my narration of the Back Woods saga and hope you continue to follow the story as other staff and volunteers take up the torch and carry on with the maintenance, restoration, and telling the story of the Back Woods Forest Preserve at MOSI.

Very Merry Holidays and all my best to you and yours for the New Year!!

Cheers, Carolyn aka The Longleaf

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Winter Wildlife Watch

2010-11-30T14:25:00.001-05:00

The first “Fred” who lives behind Kids in Charge and daily roams the dry retention ponds*

The warm winter weather (we all know winter isn't really until January, right?) has kept the gopher tortoises happily roaming about the sandhills. Volunteer Sam and I were treated to three juveniles ranging from 4 to 9 inches in length browsing about in the eastern sandhill around 11am yesterday morning. We think we might have figured out the ideal times to see them foraging…mid morning around 11:30 am then again in the afternoons around 2:30 pm. Although it is great to catch a peek of them roaming about, they are foraging during these times and easily disturbed. Their good eyesight tends to send them scurrying down the nearest burrow should they catch a glimpse of anyone trying to catch a glimpse of them. So please, enjoy your tortoise sightings from afar!

The milder weather has also increased the armadillo activity. It is not uncommon now to run across an armadillo ambling down the trail or turning up the duff in plain sight. As armadillos see and hear very poorly, it is easy to get a close look at their unique armored exterior. But stay upwind of their sensitive nose or you will be treated to a defensive leap into to the air and a bounding escape to a near by burrow.

Evidence of raccoon presence is notable at several areas along the trail. It is common for raccoons to defecate in the same place night after night. Distinct piles of sabal palm berry filled poo turn up daily on the same spots along the trail day after day. A close look to either side of the trail and you can usually detect what we like to call a “critter run” or frequently travelled path nearby.

The bird life in the Back Woods always surprises me. It often seems more notable this time of year when the resident population starts to be supplemented by winter visitors. Dozens of nearly indistinguishable sparrow and and wren sized birds are gorging themselves on the bounty of wax myrtle and American beautyberry berries. The ever present population of woodpeckers with the diminutive Downy Woodpeckers leading the flock create a pervasive racket in the canopy as the scour the bark and branches for insects. Early morning strolls to the western side of the woods guarantees you will at least hear if not see our resident pair of Great Horned Owls.

As always we invite you visit MOSI and take a stroll in the Back Woods. Bring a pair of binoculars, maybe a guidebook, and plan to stop along the trail for a quiet moment or two. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by the abundance of life you will find surrounding you in our little preserve. And don’t forget to look past the obvious, try to seek out those more subtle signs (scat, tracks, burrows) along the trail that indicate some critter was there.

*The gopher tortoises at MOSI are all affectionately known as “Fred”…;D

Sociology in the Woods

2010-10-12T10:06:00.002-04:00

We were very happy to host the USF Sociology Club, their families, friends, and members of the community they recruited to participate in an invasive plant cleanup in the Back Woods this past Saturday. Professors Jenny and Laurel organized the volunteers as part of the 10/10/10 Global Work Party coordinated by 350.org, a campaign dedicated to reducing global CO2 emissions.

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Fortified by bagels and fruit, volunteers of all ages learned to id the non native invasive plant species Boston fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia) and air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) and set to the task of removing them. Armed with loppers, machetes, shovels and rakes the volunteers made a serious dent in a heavily impacted corner of the Back Woods. Along with a few bags of trash found beneath the vines the volunteers cleaned out approximately 10 yards of air potato vines, air potato bulbils and tubers (check out that monster below), and Boston fern! WOW!!

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We can’t thank these dedicated folks enough for giving up a Saturday morning (and the USF Homecoming Game!) and putting in such effort to help us in our efforts to control invasive plant species in the Back Woods! We look forward to the opportunity to coordinate many more projects with USF Sociology Club, their friends and family in the future! Go Bulls!!

Check out coverage of the day in the USF Oracle, Students and faculty partake in global clean-up effort…their reporter not only covered the event but participated in the entire cleanup!

WE WANT YOU: If you are looking for a great work out (pulling up plants and wielding loppers) we are always looking for intrepid VOLUNTEERS to help us out in our battle against invasives. Ongoing opportunities M-F 7am-4pm.

This Week in the Woods

2010-09-16T09:15:00.001-04:00

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Fabulous flowers…Lovely native climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) in bloom in the wetlands. Getting in close to these flowers for a picture means dodging a myriad of pollinators like this Eastern yellowjacket worker. Check out the info on this similar species of hempvine, mile a minute vine (Mikania micrantha), just discovered in South Florida…it could end up being Florida’s next serious non native invasive species problem.

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Metamorphosis of a predator…while dazzled by climbing hempvine flowers and all number of bees, beetles, and hornets buzzing about my head I almost missed this special moment in the tall grass at my feet. This dragonfly was nearly dry with wings fully extended after having molted out of its final nymph stage. The exuviae (the cast off skin from molting) left behind has found its way in to the my collection of all things curious weird and wacky in the Back Woods (check out some of our other posts.)

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Snappers, leeches, and me Oh my!… Volunteer Sam and I were about to pull some weeds on the berm along the west side of the Buttonbush Pond when we came across this Florida Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina osceola) sunning on the shell path. Uncharacteristically calm (they are usually very defensive on land) when we got close, we noticed its tail and legs were loaded with leeches! We assumed this little guy was basking in hopes a few of those pesky leeches would decide to head for more moist and shady climes. We did notice a few had come off grasping about on the shell and a few had detached and were making their way to shadier spots on the turtle but, most were curled up tight waiting it out. Upon returning to the office and looking up this creepy assemblage of species, I found that these leeches are pretty common on snapping turtles. And unfortunately for the snappers, basking was not a very effective method of removing them. It doesn’t appear this species of leech (Placobdella parasitica) likes humans as well but, you can guarantee I’ll be thinking about it the next time I go slogging through the wetlands…eeeeewww!

Explosive dehiscence in the sandhill…thoroughly dry seedpods of the partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasiculata) violently split open spraying their seeds many feet, even yards, from the mother plant. More subtle than popping corn but noticeable none the less, it can really be quite disconcerting when there is this snap crackle pop all around you without knowing where it is coming from…the only clue being the twisted remains of the seedpods lying like spent shell casings beneath the plants. :D

Sam in the woods…And a huge welcome to our new volunteer Sam. Contemplating getting back to school for ecology, Sam is volunteering with us to get an idea of what it is like to play in the woods for a living. We are thrilled to have her volunteer and look forward to all the things we can accomplish with her help.

Battle for the Back Woods III: Invasive Trees

2010-09-03T15:10:00.002-04:00

This is part III of our three part post, Battle for the Back Woods, discussing many of the non native invasive plant species that are impacting the natural systems of the Back Woods. Part I discussed non native and invasive vines, part II took a look at a few non native shrub, herb, and grass species, and now part III addresses the few non native invasive trees that threaten the canopy of the Back Woods. In these posts you will see reference to Category I and Category II invasive species. These designations are defined as follows by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC).

Invasive exotic plants are termed Category I invasives when they are altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives. This definition does not rely on the economic severity or geographic range of the problem, but on the documented ecological damage caused. Category II invasive exotics have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species. These species may become Category I if ecological damage is demonstrated.

Fortunately, non native invasive tree species inhabit a only few sparse pockets in the Back Woods. They have been the least of our invasives concern and so far have been fairly easily controlled with herbicide and a chainsaw (smile). But many of these tree species are considered serious invaders of natural areas in Florida.

Chinaberry (Melia azedarach) It is amazingly fast growing in my opinion, growing from a seedling to bushy sapling in a short amount of weeks. This tree is easily identified from its doubly or more compound leaves. Water is a known carrier of the seeds and we still find new seedlings along the high water lines of the sinkholes near where we have treated or removed mature trees. Birds are known to distribute the seeds as saplings have been noted in our sandhills as well. The fruit of his Category II invasive species is poisonous to mammals. I was thoroughly delighted to have successfully killed a 40 foot tree with chainsaw girdling and one application of 100% solution of 41% glyphosate. If not readily reintroduced by birds this species may be eliminated in the Back Woods in the future.

Earpod tree (Enterolobium contortisiliquum) was once listed as a Category II non native invasive species in 1999. Sometime between 1999 and 2001 it was reevaluated and removed from the list. There are at least three of these trees on site only one of which has been successfully killed by girdling with a chainsaw and herbiciding. These trees produce hundreds of seed pods holding thousands of seeds. There is the potential in our small area for this tree to become a localized problem and we are keeping an eye on the seed bank around the treated trees. So far, no new seedlings have been detected away from the existing trees.

Camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora ) can be a beautiful spreading shade tree but is still a category I invasive species. Because of its stature and the many grand mature specimens in our area, this plant is considered an important component of the urban forest canopy. There are actually restrictions on removing specimens larger than 5” in DBH within the limits of the City of Tampa. Aesthetically pleasing or not, this tree is a serious nuisance. Very persistent and resistant to herbicide, many of the trees we have girdled and treated have survived. Camphor trees can be readily identified by the strong camphor like scent the leaves produce when crushed. Animals are known to spread the copious fruit the camphor produces which may lead to the potential of reintroduction of these species once eliminated.

Chinese tallowtree (Triadica sebifera syn. Sapium sebiferum) was introduced to the U.S. in the 1700’s as an ornamental and for seed oil. Now this Category I invasive species can be found throughout much of Florida and the Southeast United States. Many people are familiar with this plant as the “popcorn tree” named for the white wax covered fruit resembling popcorn. Each tree has the potential to produce fruit in the hundreds with seeds in the thousands that are unfortunately very attractive to wildlife and birds. Notably the fruit is toxic to cattle and rough on humans as well. Reintroduction from outside sources may always be of concern in the Back Woods.

And so concludes our three part look at some of the nuisance plant species impacting the vegetative communities of the Back Woods. I hope you found it of interest and feel inspired to learn more about some of these species on your own. Just make sure to share your new found knowledge with others and help spread the message about the impacts of non native invasive plant species and what we can do to aid in their removal and prevent their spread!

Look for a new post on non native and invasive animal species in the Back Woods, coming soon! In the meantime, check out the Invader Updater at the UF Wildlife-Johnson Lab at the UF Dept. of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation for all kinds of cool information and links on animal invasive species!

Some of the common names I use may seem unfamiliar or appear to be a variation of a more familiar common name for the plants discussed. I try to use the common names as well as the currently listed scientific name as listed on the Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants as a convention to keep our naming and references consistent in this blog.

*note correction: in the original post we incorrectly posted a picture of chinaberry with a description of a flamegold tree...we were supposed to be writing about the chinaberry all along...pardon the error

Battle for the Back Woods II: Herbs, Shrubs, and Grasses

2010-08-26T14:24:00.001-04:00

This is part II of our three part post, Battle for the Back Woods, discussing many of the non native invasive plant species that are impacting the natural systems of the Back Woods. Part I discussed non native and invasive vines which top our list of plants threatening our little woods. With part II we take a look at a few non native shrub, herb, and grass species that are in the middle of our list bothersome plants…

In these posts you will see reference to Category I and Category II invasive species. These designations are defined as follows by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC).

Many of these shrubby, herbaceous, and grassy species are considered serious and difficult to control pests. We place them in the middle of list of bothersome plants because most, with the exception Boston fern and primrosewillow, appear in very limited and so far controllable patches in the woods. Not an all inclusive list, these are our top seven herbs, shrubs, and grasses in descending order from the most pestiferous in the Back Woods.

Boston fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia), introduced to Florida from the ornamental plant trade, has been a serious problem in the Back Woods. As part of our restoration grant through the EPC of Hillsborough County, we were able to hire an herbicide contractor that helped us put a serious hurt on some fairly significant areas of dense fern populations. But because this Category I species can be persistent, returning from tuberous root systems or germinating from the thousands of spores released from fertile fronds, we have to be vigilant in our follow up control measures. Hand pulling and herbiciding are the primary means of control. Volunteers are welcome always to help us hand pull this readily identifiable species.

Peruvian primrosewillow (Ludwigia peruviana), an obligate wetland species, has found a foothold in many of the wet areas of the Back Woods. Primrosewillow has beautiful four petalled yellow blossoms nearly year round. Unfortunately the flowers of this Category I species are followed by large angled capsules that can sow the seed bank with millions (yes millions) of seeds. The plants themselves are pretty persistent even after application of herbicides. We cut and stump treat to make a dent in the population yearly. I am not sure we will ever completely eradicate it from the wetlands.

Caesar weed (Urena lobata) can be found most everywhere that is not overly wet in the Back Woods. While taking measures to control a wildfire that occurred in the Back Woods last year, the DOF put a plow line in around the sinkhole complex. Every inch of that disturbed bare soil erupted Caesar weed. Only a Category II species, Caesar weed is still very pioneering meaning it can rapidly fill any new openings or disturbed areas out competing other species for growing space. Volunteers have helped us hand pull thousands of square feet of Caesar weed in an effort to control its spread. Caesar weed produces fruit with hooked barbs that cling to the fur of passing animals or to just about any clothing as well as human hair. Part of our continuing challenge is to treat this species before it sets fruit and to take care not to spread the fruit ourselves.

Rose Natal grass (Melinis repens) is a Category I invasive species that poses a threat to our sandhill habitats in the Back Woods. Adapted to arid conditions like those in the sandhill, this grass can displace the native grasses that are an important food source for our threatened gopher tortoises. Natal grass can spread quickly into disturbed areas making it particularly challenging for us as we try to thin the oak canopy around the existing sandhill and open up/expand the sandhill habitats. Hand pulling this grass appears to be the most effective form of control in the Back Woods. But it is often difficult for volunteers (and me too) to distinguish this plant from other grasses when not in bloom.

Lantana (Lantana camara), a very popular and attractive ornamental, has been introduced worldwide from its origin in the West Indies. Found almost everywhere in Florida, Lantana camara is capable of hybridizing with our at least one of our three native lantanas (Lantana depressa) threatening the genetic integrity of this endangered species and making control of the non native more difficult. This Category I invasive species is spread by animals and birds relocating the fruit/seed. Repeated treatment of individual plants and new recruits are key to its control in the Back Woods. If you plant non native ornamental hybrids of lantana, look for sterile varieties or better yet plant the common native buttonsage (Lantana involucrata) instead. Check out this very interesting article on distinguishing native and non native lantana species.

Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) is not only a Category I invasive species but, finds itself listed on the 100 of the World's Worst Invasive Alien Species on the Global Invasive Species Database. Brazilian pepper could be the picture beside the definition of a Category I invasive species. It forms dense monocultures that suppress all other plant growth through sheer biomass as well as allelopathic chemicals. Cutting and stump treating the plants has worked so far but potential for reintroduction from birds or mammals from nearby sources is always likely. Fortunately for us, Brazilian pepper is spotty in just a couple of areas along the wetland margins. This ecosystem altering invasive species has actually become a notable component in honey production in Florida, providing nectar for honey bees in the winter months and producing a locally popular (one of my favorites) peppery honey.

Cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica) is a Category I species. It is so bad… it has its own website! This nasty found its way to the US South as a packing material, forage crop, and ornamental. Cogon grass forms dense monocultures that exclude other plants and may even inhibit ground dwelling/nesting animal species. Cogon grass is adapted to survive in an environment with fire. Unfortunately, it can also alter native fire regimes by burning more intensely than than native grass species damaging otherwise fire resistant/tolerant plants and soils. Fortunately for us, cogongrass has only cropped up in a spot or two. Pulling and herbiciding has controlled it so far. There is the potential it could be reintroduced from seeds blowing in from outside sources. Cogongrass is easy to id when in bloom by its long cylindrical fluffy seed head or by its leaf blades which have a finely serrated edge (feel not see) and the noticeably off center midrib (see the photo).

NEXT WEEK…Non native invasive tree species inhabit a few pockets of the Back Woods but have been the least of our concern and so far have been fairly easily controlled with herbicide and a chainsaw ;-).

This Week in the Woods

2010-08-24T09:47:00.001-04:00

Water levels in the wetlands and sinkholes have fluctuated widely over the past week with the extreme heat and evaporation during the day followed by evening thunderstorms. Despite all the rain, mosquitoes populations are still notably quite low likely from the recent county wide aerial spraying. This nice hatch out of leaf footed bugs on dotted smartweed was captured this past week in the very ephemeral wetlands near the sinkhole.

After a recent question to this blog about Six-lined Racerunners (Cnemidophorus sexlineatus) I have been on the look out to capture some new pictures. So far most of these zippy little racerunners have lived up to their name and eluded me…they are just too wary and too darn fast! I snapped this very sizeable lizard in some marginal habitat near the more open sandhill. I estimated it was around 8 inches in length which puts it close to their top size of around 9 inches. Plans for a tripod, umbrella and a day of patience camped out in the sandhill are in the works to get some better shots to share with our Back Woods friends.

It is a great time to take walk through the sandhill. It literally is awash in the bright golden yellow blossoms of the partridge pea! Then top that off with some bright yellow sulpher butterflies flitting between each partridge pea plant laying their eggs and bees of all sorts trying to visit every flower with pollen sacks so loaded they can barely fly. It is quite a site!

The gopher tortoise are really active this time of year as well…new burrows of all sizes, including some itty bitty ones, are popping up in the western sandhill so watch your step. A pair of larger tortoises in one burrow leads us to hope we will have more little ones in the spring. Please be sure to give the aprons of any burrows a wide birth, female gopher tortoise often lay their eggs in the apron or close by.

And a set of young quadruplets are busy tearing up the woods on the south side of the property…fresh burrows with a rounded entrance (gopher tortoise burrow entrances are oval) are a good indication of an armadillo. With a delightfully descriptive scientific name…Dasypus novemcinctus…roughly translated to something like rabbit or hare with nine girdles (oh, my)…we find it hard not to like these curious critters. Unfortunately, they are not native to Florida. They made their way here from the Mexico and Texas as land development and modification of rivers made their travels easier and made their way from south Florida via introduction from the pet and novelty trade. These omnivorous mammals will consume most any invertebrate they come across. Of concern to us is that they are a documented as predator of gopher tortoise eggs. So far it seems these four prefer the insect rich litter beneath the oak hammock to the exposed sun baked sandhill.

Send us your pictures of your favorite things in the Back Woods and we’ll share them in our blog or post them on Facebook! www.facebook.com/thelongleaf

Battle for the Back Woods I: Invasive Vines

2010-08-18T16:15:00.001-04:00

We have two great challenges to rehabilitating and maintaining the ecosystems in the Back Woods…controlling non native invasive plant species and the limitations on using prescribed fire (another post for the future). Our battle with one invasive plant species, air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera), has been the subject of many blog posts in past. This time in three parts we will take a broader look at the topic of invasives in the Back Woods. Part I covers invasive vine species, part II herbs and shrubs, and part III trees.

In these posts you will see reference to Category I and Category II invasive species. These designations are defined as follows by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC).

The battle in the Back Woods against non native invasive plant species is ongoing. Even with extensive professional contractual spraying, hundreds of volunteer hours of mechanical removal, and countless additional follow up herbicide treatments many non native invasive plant species still have a foothold in the Back Woods. Many of these invasive species may be eliminated and reintroductions more easily eradicated but, a few key species will likely be a management concern for years to come. Invasive species compete with our native species for growing space and resources. Some can actually change the ecological function of the forest affecting hydrology and fire frequency. Controlling these species is a critical component in our restoration efforts. A common but interesting side effect of some of the treatments has been the release of other species previously less noticeable. Treating and removing smothering masses of air potato as well native grape vine (Vitis rotundifolia) opens up the canopy allowing more light and water to the ground. This has had the desired effect of opening up the growing space for many native herbs and shrubs but also released masses of another invasive species, the skunk vine (Paederia foetida), everywhere. This vine is but one of many of our nemeses in the battle for the Back Woods.

Vines top our list of least welcome invaders. Without fire as a disturbance to interrupt their growth; unchecked they can quickly cover cleared areas, smother midstory vegetation, and climb into the canopy of trees. This growth not only alters the structure of the vegetation of the forest, it increases the possibility of tree loss should we have a wildfire. Vines climbing into the canopy are termed “ladder fuels” which can carry fire into the canopy and destroy otherwise fire tolerant tree species such as longleaf pine (Pinus palustris.) Some of our viney invaders include air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera), skunk vine (Paederia foetida) , and Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium japonicum).

Air potato is a very persistent species. This Category I invasive species produces aerial tubers call bulbils along the vines. Bulbils, some no larger than the end of your fingernail, can be produced by the hundreds and each one can produce a new vine unless removed or destroyed. Removing or treating the vines and picking up and disposing of bulbils are key to controlling the vine. Fortunately for us, reintroduction of air potato is usually limited to bulbils floating in on water or vines encroaching from neighboring properties. Water does not come into the property from other sources so, if we can control the vine at our borders we may eventually be able to significantly curtail air potato growth in the Back Woods.
Skunk vine was introduced to Florida at the turn of the 20th century as a potential fiber crop (the stem is very rubbery and strong) and quickly escaped cultivation to become a Category I invasive species. This vine was spotty through out our little woods and only found extensively in only a couple of places near the wetland. As noted earlier, after some significant removal of other competing vines the skunk vine started popping up in more places. It can regenerate from broken stems and it spreads readily from seed. We are tackling this invasive with herbicide and mechanical removal and have to take great care not to spread it ourselves in the removal process. Those tough rubbery stems also make for very difficult removal from the canopy. It may be possible for skunk vine seed to be carried in by birds which can be a source of continued reintroduction.
Japanese climbing fern, a Category I invasive species, found its way to Florida in the 1930’s as an ornamental plant. Established first in the northern parts of the state it has been making its way southward. [A related fern species the old world climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum) was introduced in the south and is progressing northwards. It is considered potentially the most threatening species to Florida’s natural areas. A battle line has been drawn at Interstate 4 to prevent the old world climbing fern from invading the sensitive ecosystems of the Green Swamp (the source of four of our local rivers and drinking waters) and from moving further north.] Japanese climbing fern can grow just about anywhere but we find it mainly along the margins of the wetlands and wetter flatwoods areas. With frond that can grow up to 90 feet this fern can easily reach the top of the pine canopy and shade out vegetation below. This species is only spotty throughout the Back Woods. Key to its control is to eliminate it before spores are produced in the fall. Spores spread from even great distances may present a continued source of reintroduction.
One native species, muscadine or wild grape (Vitis rotundifolia), has a place on our nuisance species list. Even this native species can become problematic. Unregulated by any disturbance such as fire, the growth of grape vines can have similar ecologically altering effects as non native vines. You may notice that we use many of the same control measures for grape vines that we do for the non native species. Rest assured though, the grape has a place in our forest ecosystems. You find a sign describing the plant along the trail at a particularly large example of their woody vines…and of course in the midst of summer you find me grazing on their wonderful fruit!

Next week… in the middle of our list of bothersome plants are a few non native invasive herbs and shrubs.

If you are looking for a great work out we are always looking for intrepid volunteers to help out in our battle against invasives.

Bugs Abound

2010-08-06T09:38:00.001-04:00

Bugs abound in the Back Woods this summer! If you are a fan of most things Arthropoda, you might want to spend and afternoon hitting the trails, scouring the foliage, and sifting through the leaf litter in the Back Woods.

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Nectaring butterflies have been the hot commodity at the Buttonbush Pond during the spring/summer bloom. The egg laying action is about to pick up in the sandhill where the partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata) will prove irresistible to a variety of sulphur butterflies. The sandhill is where you will also find our very own example of Sisyphus in the rainbow scarab (Phanaeus vindex) diligently rolling up and and storing whatever piles of poo it comes across. Florida harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex badius), forever on the march, find their home in the sandhill as well.

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The cicadas are most definitely turning up the volume through out the woods…look for their molts at the top of shrubs and dead branches. Keep your focus ahead on the trails lest you walk right into the web of a tiny spiny orb weaver (Gasteracantha cancriformis) or a not so tiny golden silk spider (Nephila clavipes). One of my favorites, the green lynx spider (Peucetia viridans), looks like green glass. They don't spin a web but rather stalk the foliage for their unsuspecting prey.

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Deep in the leaf litter you will likely come across all sorts of things including the real Florida palmetto bug…the Florida woods cockroach (Eurycotis floridana). These nearly wingless roaches are not considered household pests preferring the rich bounty of the outdoors to your pantry. Disturb them and they emit a very noticeable odor something like almonds or sweet amaretto.

Once you have had your buggy fill of the Back Woods don’t forget to stop off in the Bioworks Butterfly Garden for an up close look at the metamorphosis of Florida native butterflies.

Of course, the woods would not be the woods without our very own population of mosquitoes. So, use good sense as you would in any outdoor area this time of year, cover up and wear your insect repellant.

Check out the Animal Species tab at the top of the page for a listing of more of the insects found in the Back Woods

Birding in the Back Woods

2010-07-27T11:40:00.001-04:00

I was treated to quite a roundup of songbirds and other feathered forms during this morning’s cruise of the forest. In a tiny patch of canopy, a Red Bellied Woodpecker surveyed all from up on high. Beneath the red naped bird flitted a mix of Carolina Chickadees, Tufted Titmouse, a Yellow Rumped Warbler, a skulking Brown Thrasher, a pair of Northern Cardinals (do they come any other way), and I swear …although I haven’t seen one before…and it is the wrong time of year …a Black and White Warbler as well!

In a recent dinner conversation, I brought up the fact I thought the Back Woods was a decent little birding spot. After detailing all the wonderful sightings I have had in the past couple years, my companions concluded I was selling the place short. That our little patch of woods in the midst of Tampa was actually a very nice little birding spot. I most definitely think they were right!

When you come visit our forest systems, some of the best times to see a diversity of bird species is early in the morning and often in the late afternoon after the break of the heat of the day. Birds can be spotted just about anywhere zooming in and around the wetlands, taking dust baths in the sandhill, and feasting on all manner of insects through out the canopy and shrubs in the flatwoods and hammock. Pause for a moment any point along the trail, listen and watch closely, and you will be surprised how alive the Back Woods is with bird life.

Some of the sightings I have had in just the past two weeks include: Great Horned Owl, Red Shouldered Hawk, Loggerhead Shrike, Black Vulture, Pileated Woodpecker, Red Bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Northern Cardinal, Grey Catbird, Yellow Rumped Warbler, Brown Thrasher, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wrens galore, and maybe even a Black and White Warbler!

Check out the Animal Species tab above for a list with more bird species spotted in the Back Woods and some non feathered inhabitants as well! Then grab your binoculars and head for the woods….the Back Woods at MOSI that is!!

Sandpaper, Beauties, and Coffee

2010-06-24T14:02:00.001-04:00

On the western side of the Flatwoods Trail there is a little patch of one of the varieties of wild coffee, Psychotria sulzneri, commonly known as shortleaf wild coffee. Plans were to plant some more of another variety commonly known as just “wild coffee”, Psychotria nervosa, just up the trail a bit next to a wild coffee id sign we installed. Before we got to it, another herbaceous plant with opposite leaves sprung up in the clearing. In the early stages of its growth the plant appeared very similar to what the line drawing of the coffee on the sign looked like to anyone not familiar with the wild coffee. We were even fooled into thinking it may have been seedlings of American beautyberry, Callicarpa americana, which also has a similar toothed opposite leaf.

Once the plant developed flowers we were able to quickly id our newcomer as sandpaper or harsh vervain, Verbena scabra, of the vervain family (Verbenaceae). Really quite lovely, this plant has delicate spikes of tiny pink to lavender flowers. The stems are square and ridged. The leaves as the name might imply are rough like sandpaper on the surface, coarsely toothed, and arranged opposite of each other. It is commonly found in wet pine lands or disturbed sites.

As for the potential look a likes, also in the Verbenaceae family the American beautyberry also has opposite leaves with coarse teeth but the stems are rounded and the flowers are borne in a cluster in the axils of the leaves, see how similar the foliage is to the Verbena.

In the Rubiaceae family (buttonbush is also in this family), the shortleaf wild coffee also has opposite leaves. Their clusters of flowers typically develop at the end of the stems. The shortleaf wild coffee is easily distinguished from its relative wild coffee. The leaves of shortleaf wild coffee are not really shorter but velvety and matte in comparison with wild coffee who’s leaves are shiny and often puckered or pleated in appearance from deeply inset veins on the leaf surface. More on wild coffee and its history of use in the future.

Noting opposite leaf arrangement on a plant is often a helpful way to identify species or rule out look a likes.

Gopher Apple

2010-06-04T13:51:00.001-04:00

Truly one of our very favorite plants in the sandhill is the gopher apple (Licania michauxii.) This diminutive shrub (above ground stems typically no more than a foot tall) spreads by underground stems to form small colonies. The alternate leaves are smooth on the surface and often fuzzy beneath. The plant overall looks very similar to oak seedlings. The gopher apple is happy in deep sands found in Florida sandhill, scrub, and coastal dune systems. As you might suspect from the places it is found; it very salt tolerant and also tolerant of and recovers quickly from fire. In the spring and early summer they are covered in tiny greenish yellow flowers soon to be followed by their namesake fruit. The fruit is egg shaped and white to purple in color and highly favored by gopher tortoises as well as most other wildlife (including yours truly.) You will find a real nice patch of gopher apple on the sandhill trail just north of the big tortoise burrow. And although the fruit is edible, we ask you leave them for the gopher tortoise! :-) Thanks!

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Trumpet Creeper

2010-06-01T13:50:00.001-04:00

This otherwise ubiquitous vine has so far only been found along the shell trail near the trail to the swamp tupelo overlook. The lovely trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans) is show stopper from now until early fall. Beautiful vivid orange red tubular flowers are said to vacuum in the humming birds and we note they are pretty darn popular with the ant set as well. This vigorous aggressive vine, although native, can sometimes be considered invasive. Aerial roots that anchor thick woody stems can carry leaves and flowers over thirty feet into tree canopies or even up walls. Glossy toothed pinnate leaves oppositely arranged easily identify this plant before the flowers make their show. Because hawkmoths of any kind are our favorites in the Back Woods, this plant finds our favor as the larval food of the Plebeian sphinx moth (common or not, we think they are pretty cute!) Keep your eye out for blazes of red in the canopy through out the summer, it will most likely be trumpet creeper.

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Red Ratsnake

2010-05-14T10:07:00.000-04:00

We were delighted to see this little red ratsnake warming up on the new trail surface last week. We can now happily add this critter to our list of species present in the Back Woods. Local University of Florida herpetology expert Monica McGarrity has been gracious enough to write a guest post for us on the red ratsnake. Definitely, do not miss reading the excellent guide Dealing with Snakes in Florida’s Residential Areas: Identifying Commonly Encountered Snakes co written by Monica and linked below as well.

Note, there has been a recent change in the taxonomic classification of the red ratsnake…you may find many publications still refer to it as Elaphe guttata.

Guest Blogger: Monica E. McGarrity, Biological Scientist : Gulf Coast Research & Education Center/University of Florida/IFAS

Like the name suggests, Red Ratsnakes belong to the ratsnake genus Pantherophis—their scientific name is Pantherophis guttatus. Florida’s farmers have historically welcomed these non-venomous snakes to their farms, because they provide outstanding rodent control. In fact, Red Ratsnakes are more commonly called Cornsnakes because they liked to hang around in the rafters of old corn storage “cribs” and eat the mice and rats that tried to get into (and eat) the corn. All ratsnakes are excellent climbers—they can climb nearly straight up a tree or a brick wall! Their bodies aren’t quite round like the bodies of most snakes, but are shaped more like a loaf of bread in cross-section. The wide scales on their flat bellies work a lot like the treads on a tank, helping them to grip bark and climb trees more easily. These efficient predators can be found virtually anywhere there is rodent prey afoot—in citrus groves, sheds, garages, and even attics! Although you should welcome these natural exterminators in your yard, you may want to snake-proof the vents on your roof and control rodents in your attic or garage unless you don’t mind having them in your house as well.

Cornsnakes are beautiful animals, and are very popular in the pet trade because they can be bred in a various hues of red, yellow, orange, pink, or even cream. In nature, their tan to grayish bodies are marked with orange-red blotches with dark outlines. Their heads are marked with a distinctive orange-red arrowhead, with a series of light and dark blotches inside. The markings on the belly are most distinctive of all—a black and white checkerboard pattern! You may encounter these snakes crossing trails or sunning themselves on logs or trees in natural areas, so you should learn to recognize these Florida natives.

Dealing with Snakes in Florida’s Residential Areas: Identifying Commonly Encountered Snakes -- http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/uw258

Florida Museum of Natural History Herpetology Department – Red Cornsnake -- http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/fl-guide/pantherophisguttatus.htm

Thank you Monica!!!

Nifty etymology note: “Pantherophis is derived from the Greek words"pan" which means bread, referring to the bread loaf, cross-section shape of the snake, "thero" means a wild beast of summer and "ophis" means snake and guttatus is derived from the Latin word gutta which means "dappled" or "spotted" referring to the dorsal pattern.” courtesy Virginia Herpetological Society

Prickly Pear

2010-05-11T11:25:00.001-04:00

Often prostrate and fairly unremarkable in the landscape (unless you sit on one), the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa) can be a real show stopper when in bloom. Dazzling yellow blossoms, open only during the day, festoon these bristly herbs in the warm spring and summer months.

The pads of the prickly pear are actually the stems of the plant. The leaves have been reduced to spines. Spines come in two forms; notable stiff spines about an inch in length and the less noticeable fine tufts of short spines (glochids) that can stick and stay anywhere you come in contact with them (ouch).

Often in the fall you will come across a prickly pear in the Back Woods that appears to be covered in a white cottony material. The white cottony (actually waxy) mass is providing cover for the cochineal scale insect. An extract (the red goo on my finger) from this insect has been used as textile dye for centuries and is even used as a food grade colorant today (look closely at the label on your red grapefruit juice.) There are some nice details from this UCLA site about the cochineal scale and its uses.

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Prickly pear fruit (tunas) as well as the pads (nopales) are edible to humans and wildlife. The pads, fruit and seeds are an important food resource for our gopher tortoise population as well as for our songbirds, woodpeckers, and small mammals. Be sure to peel the fruit carefully before grazing in the field…the fruit are also dotted with those fine tufts of spines!

There are six species of native prickly pear cactus in Florida, two of which are endangered and one is threatened (our Opuntia humifusa has a stable population for now.) Habitat destruction is the primary cause of decline for many of these species but, all prickly pear have been further threatened by introduced insect species. Several non native moths ,most notably the cactoblastis moth (Cactoblastis cactorum), were introduced to the state and their caterpillars have adversely affected our native, endemic, threatened, and endangered prickly pear cactus species. Current efforts to control the cactoblastis moth include removing infected plants and the release of sterile moths to reduce and contain the infestation in the southeast. It is hoped these measures will prevent the spread of the moth westward in the U.S. and to Mexico where Opuntia species are important agricultural crops not only for livestock but for humans as well.

Look for this interesting plant in the high, dry, open and sandy areas of the Back Woods primarily in the eastern and western sandhills.

Lizard’s Tail

2010-05-07T09:30:00.001-04:00

The new boardwalk allows visitors a closer look at more of the unique plants found in the wetland. Over the past couple of weeks the lizard’s tail (Saururus cernuus) has been working up to a dazzling show. Spreading by underground runners (rhizomes), nice sweeps of two feet deep glossy green foliage have developed and filled much of the wetland. The foliage is topped everywhere with drooping white spikes of flowers. Once the flowers are pollinated, the spike transforms to string of brown capsules that resembles a lizard’s tail. Even when not in bloom lizard’s tail is recognizable by its stalked heart or arrow shaped leaves with rounded lobes at the base.

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Nifty etymology note: from the Greek sauros for lizard and from the Latin cernuus for falling down or nodding

Cinnamon Fern

2010-05-04T10:00:00.001-04:00

The cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) is quite possibly one of the most beautiful plants in the Back Woods. This showy fern is deciduous and produces distinct fertile and non fertile fronds above a dark wiry mass of roots (ever seen osmunda fiber at your garden store) that is characteristic of all members of the Osmundaceae family. The Osmundaceae family contains some of the oldest ferns documented. The cinnamon fern and royal fern (Osmunda regalis), also found in the Back Woods, could therefore be classified as living fossils, too cool!

Cinnamon ferns are named for their distinct fertile fronds that are dark cinnamon-y in color; the reduced modified leaflets appear like crumpled curled cinnamon bark. The sterile fronds start out curled tight in a fuzzy fiddle heads. The fuzz is purported to be a desired nesting material for hummingbirds, deer are fond of the fiddle heads for browse, and steamed or boiled fiddle heads are popular with wild foods crowd.

Cinnamon ferns are a characteristic plant of wet flatwood pine forests and can even be a dominant groundcover in wet hardwood hammocks. Remarkably, these plants are tolerant of fire and regenerate readily (even increase in cover) in frequently burned habitats. You can see cinnamon ferns all along the Flatwoods Trail (new shell trail) as well as near the boardwalk.

Florida Greeneyes

2010-04-30T10:16:00.000-04:00

Look closely among the wonderful sprays of wildflowers popping up this spring for another one of our favorites, Florida greeneyes (Berlandiera subacaulis.) Native and endemic to Florida, Florida greeneyes are found in sandhill environments preferring deep sandy soils and plenty of sun.

In the aster family, Asteraceae, Florida greeneyes sports a pretty cool variation on the classic composite flower type. The flowers are surrounded by an attractive set of overlapping bracts that form a cup or plate like structure behind the flowers. The ray flowers are in a sparse ring around the disk flowers. The disk flower buds form the “green eye” in the center but eventually open to a bright cheery yellow just like the ray florets. Butterflies, bees, and other connoisseurs of nectar and pollen find the flowers of Florida greeneyes irresistible.

After the pollinators have finished their job, the bracts (involucre) almost form a plate on which the winged seeds are presented to the wind. Fortunately, Florida greeneyes spreads and propagates readily from seed so we only hope to see more of them as we continue our rehabilitation efforts in the sandhill!

Leaflets of Three, Leave Them Be

2010-04-28T10:00:00.000-04:00

And of who else might we be speaking of but… none other than the much maligned poison ivy vine. Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is in the sumac (cashew) family Anacardiaceae. Other notable South Eastern relatives of poison ivy include Eastern poison oak (T.pubescens), poison sumac (T. vernix), winged sumac (Rhus copallina), and one of our least favorite plants the non native invasive species Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius). I have not found poison sumac very prevalent in our area and poison oak seems to be restricted more to northern Florida by all accounts. If you have come across either in our area, I would love to know. (note that all of the plants mentioned above may cause a skin rash if you come in contact with them, depending on your sensitivities)

I think the old saying went something like “leaves of three, leave them be” where actually it should say “leaflets of three”. Instead of three leaves, you are actually looking at one leaf with three leaflets. But if it helps you to remember, we’ll leave that be as well. Poison ivy contains an irritating oil called urushiol. Contact with this oil that comes from all parts of the poison ivy plant may cause dermatitis (sometimes extreme) in some people. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing any exposed areas with soap and water as soon as possible after contact to remove the oil as well as promptly laundering any contaminated clothing. Over the counter medications to relieve the itching and patience are the only treatment for the rash that may last more than a couple of weeks. Of course, see a doctor for severe exposures.

Avoiding contact with poison ivy is your first defense. There are otc products available to apply to exposed skin to prevent contact with the urushiol oil. Be mindful that you can also come in contact with the oils of poison ivy from your clothing or pets exposed to the plant. Take special precautions when mowing or weed eating poison ivy as the oil can can be sprayed everywhere from the cutting action. Burning poison ivy may volatize the oils allowing them to be inhaled, not good.

Knowing your enemy: Poison ivy is a deciduous vine (meaning they lose their leaves in the winter) whose alternate leaves have three unlobed or slightly lobed leaflets each. Very pretty clusters of fragrant white flowers (very attractive to bees) are followed by white/tannish drupes in the spring around May. In the fall, the leaves turn bright red before falling from the plant. When the plants are leafless the stems, attached to trees or other surfaces, are still easily recognized by their dense aerial roots that gives them a hairy appearance. Their hairy appearance readily distinguishes them from grape vines with no aerial roots or Virginia creeper vines that have sparse rootlets with five little pads at the end.

leaf of poison ivy with three leaflets (on left) by the similar non toxic Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) with five leaflets

woody stems of poison ivy covered in aerial roots

Nothing evolves to be just a menace or nuisance so, what value is there in poison ivy you might ask? Well, countless numbers of songbirds are known to dine on the berries through out the plants range. Some of those sighted in Back Woods know to partake in a poison ivy berry or two include: Gray Catbird, Northern Flicker, Eastern Phoebe, Brown Thrasher, Tufted Titmouse, Cedar Waxwing, Carolina Wren, and Woodpeckers (Downy, Pileated, and Red-bellied). Additionally, bees love the flowers and deer browse on the foliage. Yay, poison ivy!

There are many web pages dedicated to poison ivy just a search engine away. One comes complete with slightly gruesome collection of photos called the “Skin Rash Hall of Fame”, ewww! You will find there great incentive to know your poison ivy and take the right steps to avoid exposure. As someone I love always reminds me, everything bites…so, get outside!!

Tupelo Morning

2010-04-26T10:00:00.000-04:00

Our favorite tree in the Back Woods, the swamp tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica biflora) captured on a beautiful morning a few weeks ago when the wetlands were really full from the rains. Our intrepid volunteer George, who has since headed back to NC for the summer (you will be missed!), helped me carve out a little trail off the main path to this vista.

Lined with cut willow, the path even features a little log staircase leading up a spoil mound to a fabulous view of this gorgeous tupelo with it’s distinctive moss covered bottle shaped base. If you stop by for a visit, please do keep an eye out for poison ivy. We try to keep it off the immediate trails but, visitors do need to be aware they may come in contact with it if they stray from the trail. Do you remember the old warning…leaves of three, leave me be? Keep an eye out for our next post, it will be on how to identify poison ivy.

In the short period of time since this photo was taken, the tupelos have bloomed and are starting to push out new leaves. Soon we should be treated to a crop of green that turn to blue/black oblong drupes which are very popular with the wildlife crowd. More on our favorite tree in an upcoming post!

Lovely Lyre Leaf Sage

2010-04-23T14:20:00.002-04:00

Lovely lyre leaf sage (Salvia lyrata) is popping up nicely along the eastern storm water retention. In the mint family Lamiaceae (Labiatae), the lyre leaf sage can be used in teas and for salad greens. Tolerant of growing in areas with partial shade to full sun; the foliage often takes on deep wine hues in greater light. Lyre leaf sage is easily recognized by its square stem characteristic of many plants in the mint family. Even when not in bloom this plant is readily identified by its rosette of deeply cut leaves shaped somewhat like the musical instrument the lyre for which it is named.

Back Woods Forest Preserve Trail Map

2010-04-12T10:15:00.001-04:00

We are in the process of developing maps to place in the kiosks at the three entrances to the preserve. In the meantime, we have posted a temporary overview on the kiosk bulletin boards. It was nice to hear almost immediately that people liked our temporary map and wanted copies of it. So, we are posting it here and the picture will be linked in our sidebar. You can also find it on the MOSI web site Back Woods page.

A brochure with the map and some details on the ecosystems and habitats of the Back Woods is forthcoming. It will be available at the information desk, kiosks, as well as online.

Americorps in Action

2010-03-29T15:05:00.001-04:00

We were very pleased to have had the opportunity to work with an absolutely wonderful team (Delta 3) of young adults in service with Americorps this past Saturday. One of the mottos for Americorps is “Service through Teamwork” and these bright and enthusiastic young men and women lived up to that motto by making quick and easy work of yards and yards of vines and cut brush in an area we have been clearing in the flatwoods.

Reminiscent of the depression era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), AmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) is a full-time, team-based residential program for men and women age 18–24. The young men and women we worked with were assigned from the Southern campus in Vicksburg, Mississippi having originally come from all parts of the U.S..

We look forward to working with AmeriCorps service members again in the future. We are working to see if we could have a team assigned to stay with us and work in the Back Woods. Think of the progress that could be made with that kind of teamwork and initiative available to us, wow.

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The Sky is Blue and So Are You

2010-03-29T09:03:00.000-04:00

Several fluffy silver lumps of beautiful skyblue lupine (Lupinus diffusus) dot the sands of the the Western sandhill and most all are covered in bloom right now. Skyblue lupine are found commonly throughout the state of Florida in sandhills and dry open hammocks. Popular with bees, the flowers have a pale blue corolla with a creamy white central spot. Even when not in bloom, they are easily recognizeable by their silky silvery haired foliage. Lupine are a member of the Fabaceae family (formerly Leguminosae) known commonly to many as the bean family or legumes. Lupine are in a sub order of legumes described as papilionaceous or having flowers that resemble a butterfly.

I lichen it!

2010-03-25T08:05:00.000-04:00

Walking through the Back Woods Forest Preserve, you may notice bright spots of pink or red on the bark of some trees. These spots are lichen!

Christmas wreath lichen (Cryptothecia rubrocincta) is a species of lichen found throughout the Southeastern portion of North America and throughout the tropics and subtropics of South America and the Caribbean. This lichen is distinctively colored with a pale green body and brilliant red/pink edging and spots in the center. This color combination and generally circular shape of development have led to its common name of ‘Christmas wreath lichen’. The bright red/pink coloring in this lichen comes from chiodectonic acid which is produced by the lichen to help it tolerate inhospitable growing conditions and locations.

This species is a crustose lichen which, as the name suggests grows like a crust on the surface of tree bark and other locations. This species was first described by a German naturalist named Christian Gottfried Ehrenberg in 1820. The species name, rubrocincta, comes from the red band around the edge of the lichen and derives from the Latin root words ruber "red" and cinctus "girdled/encircled".

Florida Snapping Turtle

2010-03-12T13:36:00.001-05:00

What a cutie!! Unhappily relocated from the parking lot.

Meet another Back Woods resident the Chelydra serpentina osceola otherwise known as the Florida snapping turtle. All those pointy little fleshy projections (tubercles) on the back of its head help distinguish this snapper as the sub species osceola or Florida snapping turtle from the common snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina. The scientific name of of the Florida snapper has a cool etymology; Chelydra from the Greek chelys for turtle and hydros for water serpent, the specific epitaph serpentina from Latin meaning snake like probably referring to that snake like neck that can reach the back and sides of the shell, and then Osceola in honor of 19th century Florida Seminole leader Osceola.

[check out this cool etymology site: Scientific and Common Names of the Reptiles and Amphibians of North America – Explained http://ebeltz.net/herps/etymain.html]

Florida snapping turtles are aquatic turtles but, they do not bask like cooters or sliders. They are often found lurking in the depths of the water or nestled in the mud where they can quickly strike out at unsuspecting prey eating almost anything that passes by as well as munching on carrion and some plant life. (Note that Florida snapping turtles on land are not happy critters, they will readily strike out at you if you try to pick them up. Take great caution if you attempt to assist in a road crossing as their long flexible necks allow their mouth to reach well up the sides and back of the shell. Only attempt to pick up them up from the very rear of the shell where the sharp claws on their hide feet still pose a hazard.)

The warm weather has brought out our snappers from their burrows and probably has them on the hunt for mates and nesting spots. Breeding typically starts in April followed by egg laying in May, and hatch out in late summer or the following spring.

Our snappers love to hang out in the stormwater catchments near the East and West entrances to the nature trail…creep up slowly and peer into the depths and you just might see one!!

Have a Happy Day

2010-02-19T14:14:00.001-05:00

The past week found us picking up and digging up more trash than doing anything else. We have definitely tested the capacity of the gator with load upon load of carpet, tires, and broken asphalt. Entertainingly, we now know the gator fits in the dumpster making it convenient to empty loads all the way to the back.

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Despite all the grubby work, things are just peachy in the Back Woods. Our intern and volunteers have really been instrumental in bringing up the level of maintenance in the Back Woods. A little team work goes a long way in making a dent in the many management challenges (invasives, garbage, hardwood clearing) we face. I can not thank these great people enough for all their hard work!

A preview of the new trail signs. Mounting materials are being prepped and some of the signs may installed by next week, yay! We may even a have a kiosk or two installed as well.

Cheers from the Back Woods…and have a Happy Day.

This Week’s Taters and Trash

2010-01-29T14:49:00.001-05:00

Like gazing at clouds…the many shapes of air potatoes beg a little whimsical exercise of the imagination…

Rubber ducky tater…

Saguaro cactus tater…

Venus of Willendorf tater…

Martian landscape tater…

And then of course there is the trash…

Humpback whale added to the Back Woods species list, check….

Headless dinosaur… …check?

And the random selection of delectables notably munched upon and abandoned along a well traveled critter trail…

New Trail Surface and More

2010-01-22T16:00:00.001-05:00

What a wonderfully frosty start to the new year. Much of the Back Woods vegetation is thoroughly dormant right now. The few Semi evergreen and evergreen trees and shrubs stand out starkly against the sleeping skeletons of deciduous trees. The warming weather has brought our gopher tortoises out foraging to make up for lost time in a torpor over the wintery past couple of weeks. We did catch a fine example of some mighty generous and frosty gopher tortoise poo deposited right before the freezes.

Volunteers George, Shayna, and Catlin helped me finish pulling up the last of the plastic on the main trail in preparation for the new shell bed. Local contractor Scheid’s Tractor Service did an awesome job of laying out the shell and doing a finally grade by hand! Thanks Eddie, it looks great. The new trail really looks fabulous and feels great underfoot. It is definitely crunchy, as a couple of people noted, but that should evolve as the material breaks down under traffic. The new surface is now much safer surface for hikers of all abilities. Take a moment to peak your feet from time to time, there is some other fossiliferous material mixed in with shell. You might just find a sharks tooth or two if you have a keen eye.

More on the Volunteer front: Great news for the Back Woods! Volunteer Catlin has begun an internship with us in conjunction with finishing an Environmental Science and Policy degree at USF. We are very happy to have her input and help as we complete the last of the requirements of our EPC grant and move on implementing a new grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Service rehabbing the uplands.

The past two weeks have been a doozies for finding the weird in the Back Woods. A collection of the usual unusual as we continue to pick up and maintain the preserve.

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Great Starts to a New Year

2010-01-11T15:12:00.001-05:00

New boardwalk complete January 2010

Yay, the boardwalk is complete! Kudos to Golf Coast Construction on their attractive new addition to our Back Woods. A little more tidying up around the entry and exit and the boardwalk is really going shine as the first experience as you enter the Back Woods. Hard to believe it is even the same location when we look back to what was there a little over a year ago.

The boardwalk when we started in 2008

Golf Coast also spruced up our stormwater staging ponds by regrading and resodding them. Normally this would have been an easy dry winter task but our El Nino wet winter pattern left the ponds with plenty of water. Still the contractors made easy work of it and the stormwater system will function more as it was intended.

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A crunchy icy slog through a mostly dry Buttonbush Pond yielded these pictures of the effects of the recent frosty weather. Just beautiful! The one good thing about a bout of thoroughly cold weather is that seems to make the forest a little healthier the following year. Many diseases and pest insects seem to be brought into check, deciduous trees appear to have more vigor, and even the some of the subtropicals seem renewed later in the year. And of course it does a number on the air potato, hoorah. Just about time for Tater round-up, stay tuned!!

Stay warm everyone, it will be the sub tropics again sometime soon…I promise!

Merry Holidays and Happy New Year from the Back Woods

2009-12-23T16:14:00.001-05:00

The boardwalk is looking more real by the day! The contractor estimates completion by mid next week. It already looks terrific and is going to be such a nice new addition to the Back Woods.

One last ‘possum rescue for the year…this itty bitty hisser was buried deep in the delectables.

Your forest keeper in her favorite spot in the Back Woods beneath the “magic tupelo” on the edge of the wetlands. One more year has past and we are so looking forward to the New Year and the many changes to come for the Back Woods. Many thanks to all those who have volunteered the past year to help in our restoration efforts. We will be taking a short break until the beginning of the New Year so… From all the forest critters and the keeper of the Back Woods, we wish you very Merry Holidays and Happy New Year.

Volunteers Tackle Trail Demo With Teamwork

2009-12-21T08:57:00.001-05:00

Wow! We had one fabulous assemblage of volunteers this past Saturday to help pull up the old trail underlayment in preparation for a new shell path. Two of our weekly volunteer staff Catlin and George were joined by Michael, Erin, and Brian, Richard, Jeanne, David, Judy, and myself for some seriously dirty and back challenging work. The first couple of volunteers to arrive (Jeanne and David) dove into the work right away. The rest of the mornings introductions were done on the fly…”good morning, gloves are over there, hop right in and just follow the lead” :-)!!

The volunteers cleared 2/3 of the trail or just over 900 linear feet of Geoblock 4-5 ft wide. That’s over 4000 sq ft of material lifted from the ground. That was 4ooo sq ft of plastic grid full of gravel, wet sand, anchored to the ground with weed and tree roots! And, all of this was accomplished in just 4 hours. I was truly impressed by the tenacity with which the team tackled the project. And, I am truly grateful for all the help!

Much thanks again to members of the Jose Gaspar Toastmasters of Tampa; Richard, Jeanne, David, and Judy (the Toastmasters public speaking group meets at MOSI and volunteers for the museum and the Back Woods), extra thanks to Jeanne and David for the field ‘power station’ to keep the drills recharged, Catlin and George for putting in an extra day (you guys are the best), Brian (nice to see you again), Erin (Gator Gal extraordinaire), and husband Michael (thanks honey!)…an additional note of thanks goes to ‘Super Amazing Steve’ from our facilities staff for the last minute manufacture of specialty tool for the job; the volunteers send their thanks!

Barred Owls and Boardwalks

2009-12-18T13:30:00.001-05:00

Construction of the new boardwalk got underway this week just in time for all the stormy weather. Posts from the previous boardwalk had to be removed before construction of the new walk could begin. The crew from Golf Construction seem to be having plenty of fun slogging about in the thick of it to get the job done.

Rumbling through the Back Woods on the GATOR utility vehicle is not always the best way to catch sight of wildlife. Unless you are satisfied with glimpse of their rear ends dashing away from the awful rattle the gator makes. I startled this beautiful Barred Owl out of a tree as I rumbled under its perch along the trail. Fortunately for me, after swooping right over my head, this owl took a moment to catch a glimpse of me before silently flying off to some other spot in the canopy. What a cutie!! The Barred Owl should be right at home in our little forest, preferring a mature canopy and tolerant of urban areas. The habitat improvements we are making, including opening up the understory, should improve the habitat even more for the Barred Owls.

Oh boy, this Saturday December 19th is going to be some down and dirty fun. About a dozen intrepid volunteers have signed up to help us pull up the old plastic Geoblock underlayment from the nature trail. Fortunately for us, it looks like the rain will let up just in time for the work to start tomorrow morning. The chilly temperatures expected might just be perfect for the heavy load of the day, pulling up nearly a 1/3 mile of plastic panels all screwed together and full of rock. I am excited to see the trail with out the Geoblock which has been exposed and damaged for a number of years. The short experimental stretch that volunteer Shayna and I pulled up yesterday looks really good. If you are free we could always use a couple of extra hands. Volunteers are meeting in the far southeast parking lot of the museum at 7:45 am, see ya there!! :-)

Back Woods Happenings and Such

2009-12-11T15:09:00.002-05:00

I am remiss in yet lauding the activities of our two new repeat volunteers. College students Shayna and Catlin joined us in October. Since that time, they have made a serious impact on invasive species with their weekly volunteer activities. The gals took the lead in clearing air potato by hand out of the bottoms west of the Buttonbush Pond. From there, they have been tackling the Caesar weed (Urena lobata) that sprang up en masse in the plow line cut to control the brush fire last spring. I can not thank these women enough for their dedicated efforts in the Back Woods.

We welcome back our volunteer George. Down for the winter, George brings his trail maintenance experience from working on access trails to the AT at his summer home. He is currently helping me break down all the cherries we are thinning out of the forest. George also volunteers for us on a weekly basis, we are very happy to have him back.

Bones from above…last week while pulling air potato vines from the tree canopy, one of the volunteers was rewarded with bone dropped on her head. The bone looks like a large bird tibia. First thought was maybe it was from a bird that died in the tree top and the carcass never made it to the ground because of all the vines. A closer look at the bone shows it to be thoroughly gnawed on all over (nom, nom, nom as our Butterfly Guru would say.) It is possible a squirrel brought the bone up into the canopy to gnaw on for tooth maintenance or calcium.

The western sandhill is home to at least 1 large adult and a couple juvenile gopher tortoises. The big guy ( I call him Fred) has nice burrow with a huge apron of sand right near the trail. This location is great for the education staff to show students the characteristics of a burrow fairly up close. This location also puts the tortoise at a little greater risk from visitors who are not familiar with the sensitive nature of the burrows or the threatened status of the tortoises. Recently, it appears a regular visitor likes to inspect the burrow up close and with a canine companion. We have now posted a sign asking visitors to maintain their distance. In the near future, we will have kiosks with rules for the Back Woods posted. One of those will be pets must be leashed and picked up after. Until that time, I guess we’ll have to rely on our resident pooper scoopers like this rainbow scarab (along with at least one other variety of dung beetle) made quick work of a pile o’ dog doo left in the sandhill.

Awww! I am a serious sucker for ‘possums. Fortunately for me, they frequently find themselves trapped in the bottom of a trash can on the MOSI grounds. The staff must have me on speed dial for this situation because, I always get the call to help resolve the problem. My solution: Trek the can, possum in tow, to a spot off trail in the Back Woods. Most of the time the possum is in such a defensive stupor they won’t even make a run for it when I lay the can over. This little lady however skipped right out of the can the moment I laid it down and quite calmly sauntered off into the brush. Take a close look at the pickin’s in that trash can. What respectable Opossum could pass that up? Find one in your can at home? Just lay the can over and leave it be for awhile and the possum will find its way out on its own. Secure your can lids to prevent the problem in the future. :-)

Possibly to become a weekly tradition is a post featuring the the endless supply of air potatoes and more unusual or interesting trash collected during our work in the Back Woods. I humbly bring you this week’s Taters and Trash.

Out of a pile of air potatoes picked up up while clearing Caesar weed, this one was definitely worth highlighting. With a little imagination it definitely looks cartoonish even reminiscent of a Bill Plympton caricature. The trash seems to be everywhere you look some days. A closer inspection finds all kinds of household garbage and construction debris as well as automotive junk. The plastic horse head, slightly surreal without its stick, is our find of the week.

Tale of Two Cherries

2009-12-04T09:56:00.001-05:00

As you may have seen me post most gleefully on our Facebook page, I have been happily chain-sawing away at the numerous cherry trees in the understory of our forest communities. But what kind of cherries do we have in the Back Woods you might ask? They are two species of cherry both native and common to Florida: Prunus serotina; the black cherry, and Prunus caroliniana; the Carolina laurel cherry. They are in the rose family, Rosaceae, same as roses, plums, and table cherries and yes they too produce an edible cherry. The fruit are produced early to mid spring much to the delight of any fruit eating bird or mammal that comes across them. One of the best sites you will ever see is flock of Cedar Waxwings on their way back north making a stop to strip a Carolina laurel cherry of every last fruit on the tree.

The black cherry is listed as a facultative upland species and you will find it throughout central and northern Florida upland hardwood and pine systems. The Carolina laurel cherry was once popularly cultivated as a common landscape plant and is now so ubiquitous that whatever natural range it may have had in Florida is no longer known. You will find it in most any condition from wet communities to dry and happy in urban climes. Both species are commonly found along fence rows and in lines under utility lines. Can you you think why?

In the growing season many people find it hard to tell these two trees apart without a closer look. Although the Carolina laurel cherry is a smaller tree and evergreen it can be easily confused with small black cherry in the understory. As the winter approaches and the deciduous black cherry begins to lose their leaves, it is a little easier to tell the two apart with a cursory glance. Below are a few key field characteristics you can use to tell them apart in the field any time of year.

Strong transverse lenticels (lenticels are corky tissues that grow around pore like structures allowing for the exchange of air through the bark) mark the bark of the black cherry while the Carolina laurel cherry's bark appears smoother until greater maturity (but there are lenticels there too.)

A cursory glance at the leaves in the growing season and the two cherries can be easily confused. A closer look reveals some easily distinguishable differences. The first thing I usually do is pluck a leaf off and crush it thoroughly in my fingers and smell the remains. The Carolina laurel cherry typically has a distinct strong scent of almonds (think taking a big sniff of a jar of maraschino cherries and you have got it) from the release of (yes) cyanide in the plant tissues. The black cherry has a more non descript maybe burnt green, if there is such a thing, smell to the foliage but, is also supposed to have a cherry like smell to the twigs and wood. A closer look at the leaves reveals fairly widely spaced sharp pointed teeth along the margin of the Carolina laurel cherry whereas the the black cherry has many smaller appressed teeth along the margin.

Black cherries have, in comparison, longer petioles than Carolina laurel cherry and are notably grooved down the center. The Carolina laurel cherry petiole is most often blush in color like the photo above. A key distinction between the two are the little knobby glands found on the petiole near the base of the leaf blade on the black cherry. But as with most physiological identifying characteristics, there is always variability. Note the photo below of three black cherry leaves. The first doesn’t have any notable glands, the second is adorned with two perfectly placed glands, and the third has a potential little knobby projection in one spot at the base of the leaf. Look at several leaves and go with the general trend to make your decision which plant is which.

And to answer the question of why we would be removing these trees from the forest… Both species make up a shade tolerant sub canopy under the oak and pine in our fire suppressed plant communities. We are removing this secondary canopy of trees and some of the oak over story to restructure the forest back to an open longleaf pine canopy forest. The classic longleaf pine flatwoods and sandhills have a sparse canopy of towering longleaf pines with a mixture of shrub or grasses as an understory depending on how frequently the community is subjected to fire. Both cherries, which are important to wildlife, will still be contributing species to the composition of the plant communities but will no longer dominate the under story. This will allow for a more diverse suite of plants and animals to inhabit the Back Woods.

Check the Virginia Tech Tree ID site or the Duke University site on Trees Shrubs and Vines of North Carolina for some nice additional id sheets on our two cherries with nice pictures of the flowers and fruit and more great bark examples.

Happening where its Wet in the Back Woods

2009-12-02T15:55:00.001-05:00

Design and permitting of the new boardwalk is moving right along. Once complete, the boardwalk will be part of a new main entrance to the Back Woods trails. It is planned to be 6ft wide with rails and a nice 10x16 observation deck about in the center where visitors can take a moment to view the plants and critters that make our wetlands home. We anticipate the boardwalk will be completed by the end of December and of course we’ll keep you updated as the project progresses. In the meantime, there is much work to be done clearing invasive vines and overgrown hardwoods around the new proposed main entry and boardwalk entrance. Contact me directly if you are interested in volunteering to help us in the clearing!

Couldn’t resist dropping in this shot of my favorite tree in the Back Woods. This plump bottle bottom shaped tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica biflora) with its mossy base is such a stand out. This shot was from last week during our brief dry down otherwise this spot is definite waders or galoshes territory! One of our challenges is making some of these very interesting but frequently wet areas accessible without damage to the wetland and without muddying up the visitors. Not worried about getting your feet wet? Let me know and I’ll clue you in on the cool things to check out where it is wet in the Back Woods!

Fall Harvest of Plenty

2009-11-23T16:25:00.001-05:00

…still left in bloom and showing off seed in the Back Woods

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Beautiful patches of snowy hammock snakeroot (Ageratina jucunda) are popping up through out the Back Woods right now. The hammock snakeroot is sweetly fragrant and reminiscent of the fragrance dog fennel flowers (genus Ageratina was once Eupatorium the genus of dog fennel.)

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Dainty sprays of pink not quite purple climbing aster (Symphiotrichum carolinianum) are sprawling out of the wetlands here and there. There is a lovely patch of of this growing over one of the waterfalls in the Bioworks Butterfly enclosure if you are not quite up to slogging through Back Woods wetlands.

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Pink and fragrant climbing hempvine (Mikania scandens) are finishing up their show on the edges of all places moist.

Paw Paw Petals

2009-11-13T11:00:00.000-05:00

Missing from our suite of species in the Back Woods is the Florida native dwarf paw paw, Asimina pygmea. Fortunately, they are found nearby on the westernmost undeveloped portion of the museum’s property. I captured a nice cluster of plants in bloom last week to share with our readers.

The flowers start out white then develop into a beautiful deep maroon color and are sometimes candy striped in between. The flowers are pendant along the stems developing at the leaf axis. The flowers are followed by an oblong edible yellowy green berry. Another common name for this species, gopher berry, may indicate that gopher tortoise make these an addition to their grassy diet. The larvae of Zebra Swallowtail butterfly feed on the foliage of many Asimina spp. as well.

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Plans are to capture the fruit and seed of these plants to cultivate and transplant them to the flatwoods areas of the Back Woods. That is if the Med Flys don’t beat us to them ;-)

Flora Bunda Indeed

2009-11-11T14:53:00.002-05:00

The Habenaria floribunda are blooming up a storm in the Back Woods. We are seeing these lovelies in more locations than in previous years possibly due to some of the mechanical thinning (more light reaching the forest floor) we have done to control native and non native vines .

Also known as the toothpetal false reinorchid or mignonette orchid (etymology: dainty and green), this Habenaria sp. is common throughout much of Florida.

Natives for Your Neighborhood has a nice description of the growing requirements of this native terrestrial orchid.

There are a few more photos from our highlight of this species last December http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=799.

http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=799

Blazing Star

2009-10-15T11:00:00.000-04:00

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: Liatris

Species: tenuifolia Nutt.

Common: blazing star, gayfeather

Like lavender rockets erupting from the white sands of the sandhill, the lovely blazing star (Liatris tenuifolia) are putting on a serious show this fall. There are many species of Liatris in Florida that are found in many ecosystems from sandhill to wetland. For now we have decided that our most common Liatris sp. in the Back Woods, those that are in the sandhill, are Liatris tenuifolia. This species reach heights of 3 feet or more with vivid pink to purple spikes with many flower heads made up of four or more florets (note the clusters of florets in the picture above). Bees, moths, and butterflies delight in the nectar and pollen of these flowers. You will often see blazing star nodding on breezeless days as hefty pollen laden bumble bees bend the slender spikes toward the ground as they nectar from flower to flower. Of little other wildlife value, the blazing star is a very popular wildflower with the evolved primate crowd and is easily sown from seed.

Narrowleaf Silkgrass

2009-10-13T14:01:00.002-04:00

Family: Asteraceae

Genus: Pityopsis

Species: graminifolia (Michx.) Nutt.

Synonym: Heterotheca graminifolia

Common: narrowleaf silkgrass, grassleaf golden aster

Lovely narrowleaf silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia) are adorned in dazzling yellow flowers this time of year for their part of the sandhill fall show. Those lovely yellow flowers about the size of a dime are visible from mid to late summer through late fall. Through out the rest of the year it often appears similar to a clump of grass but, the narrowleaf silkgrass is easily recognized by the silvery sometimes densely haired foliage for which it is named. Growing between one and three feet tall, this native Florida sandhill perennial prefers sunny open dry sites. They are often found in colonies spreading out by rhizomes and also propagate by seed. Some text note the narrowleaf silkgrass as an important food for gopher tortoise.

Song of the Cicada

2009-10-12T16:22:00.002-04:00

The cast nymphal skeleton of a cicada clasped tightly to a branch of silkgrass (Pityopsis graminifolia). After four years underground and four molts, this was the last nymphal instar of the cicada. From this molt they emerge the winged adults that fill the summer nights with song.

If you are originally from up ‘north a ways’ you may remember the cicadas of your childhood summers varying from year to year. Northeastern populations of some cicada species are periodical and may appear in mass numbers in 13 to 17 year cycles. In Florida, populations of adults are produced every year.

Cicadas nymphs and adults both feed on plant fluids but neither is considered a serious pest in Florida. On the the other hand, adult cicada are considered good eating by numerous wildlife and are considered a notable survival food for humans as well. Hmmmm.

A nice time lapse video of a cicada molting from last instar to adult

Coastalplain Palafox

2009-10-09T13:39:00.001-04:00

The sandhill is putting on its annual fall show. Puffs of pale pink coastalplain palafox (Palafoxia integrifolia) dot the white sands in between lavender spires of blazing star (Liatris sp.). The palafox has a sweet fragrance and beetles of all kinds just seem to love it. Somewhat non descript much of the year, this pastel beauty is common in dry pinelands throughout Florida and most obvious during the fall bloom.

Taters for Breakfast

2009-09-16T10:28:00.002-04:00

Recently I had observed that “something” was actually eating the air potato. At first I thought it was a caterpillar of some sort but, I should have known better by the pattern of munching on the leaf surfaces. Yesterday, while in the midst of my glee (spraying air potato with herbicide); I noticed what finds our invasive pest a tasty snack. Slugs!!!!

From little itty bitty guys to this considerable slimy monster, they were everywhere I looked. I don’t know much about slugs (identification requires that you take a closer look at their underside) and these guys could even be non native but, I have a soft spot for most things that move. So, a little of my joy in the herbiciding process was sapped when it was obvious that slugs aren’t all that found of glyphosate (Roundup). There is a pretty cool page on slug id from the University of Florida. Apparently Florida is pretty depauparete in slug fauna (only three native species) and we are in a constant battle to prevent new species from being introduced and threatening our agricultural industry. http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/Florida_slugs.htm

A face only a mother could love…look at those cute little retracted antennae…the top two are for the eyes and the bottom serve as the nose…looks like the radula (scraping teeth in mouth) is hidden or retracted…the ribbed tissue in the middle is the foot and the fleshy surround is known as the mantle.

Oh no, it has wings!

2009-09-10T16:45:00.001-04:00

Should you have come across this blog before you know that I am apt to wax poetic (or should that be quixotic) about my arch nemesis the air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera). Well just to add insult to injury, the air potato’s near relative has found its way to our little Back Woods. I give you the “winged yam” Dioscorea alata!

one little patch of D. alata in the Back Woods

And yes it has wings. They have extra tissue (wings) jutting out from the edges of their squared stems and petioles. This differs from the air potato which has smoother angled stems and petioles that are not as noticeably squared.

winged yam air potato

The elongated bulbils of the winged yam appear in pairs at the leaf axis and whereas the air potato bulbils appear in pairs or singularly and are rounded.

winged yam air potato

The leaves of the winged yam are heart shaped like the air potato but appear to me more elongated. The notable key difference between the species is that the winged yam leaves are opposite on the stem and the air potato leaves are alternate (appear singularly) along the stem.

winged yam

Interestingly, the winged yam twines counter clockwise around supports while the air potato twines clockwise around supports.

winged yam air potato

Like its relative the air potato, the winged yam is a non native invasive exotic species and listed as a Category I species in Florida meaning; “These are invasive exotics which are altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives. This definition does not rely on the economic severity or geographic range of the problem, but on the documented ecological damage caused.” FLEPPC

The Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) has a nice id sheet on winged yams found here: http://www.fleppc.org/ID_book/Dioscorea%20alata.pdf

Plant Profile: Partridge pea

2009-09-01T12:13:00.000-04:00

Common Name: partridge pea, sleeping plant

Scientific Name: Chamaecrista fasciculata (Michx.) Greene

Form: Annual legume (bean)

Height/Spread: 1-3 ft tall, spread similar to height.

Leaves: Alternate, evenly pinnately compound olive green leaves with small (up to 2cm) spine tipped leaflets. Leaflets fold along the rachis when touched or in response to nightfall. Two permanent stipules and a small disc shaped extra floral nectary gland are at the base of each petiole.

Stems: Smooth and green becoming reddish brown more haired with maturity.

Flowers: Bright yellow 5 petaled flowers with red markings at the base of the petal. Stamens are sometimes red in color. One petal often folds in over stamen and anther. Flowers arise from leaf axil with the stem.

Fruit and Seeds: Flat 2-3 inch long legume (bean pod) producing dark brown flattened seeds.

Habitat: Partridge pea is characteristic of dry upland plant communities. Can be found along the edges of disturbed sites.

Range: Throughout the Eastern and Central United States.

Shade Tolerance: Somewhat tolerant.

Fire Tolerance: Habitat and establishment may be improved through fire.

Wildlife Use: Partridge pea is important as the larval host plant of several sulphur butterflies (Giant Cloudless, Little yellow, and Orange Sulphurs). (Check out Kristen’s Butterfly blog Lepcurious for a post on other host plants for sulphur butterflies) Seeds of partridge pea are important part of the diet of quail particularly in the Midwest. The plant as a whole is preferred white tailed deer browse.

Cloudless Sulphur larvae

Field ID: Partridge peas are in bloom throughout the summer months and are easily recognized by their bright yellow flowers and small pinnate foliage.

Information: Previously known as Cassia fasciculata, Chamaecrista fasciculata is a nitrogen fixing legume. It is commonly planted for soil stabilization and improvement projects. The small nectar gland at the base of each leaf attracts ant species which may in turn protect the plant from herbivores and plant damaging insects. Partridge pea has a long history in Native American culture as a medicinal plant but; partridge pea can be a purgative in humans and is toxic to livestock. So once again, let’s leave this one for the birds, bees, and butterflies.

References and Additional Resources:

Austin, Daniel F. Florida Ethnobotany. Boca Raton: CRC Press. 2004
Miller, James H., and Karl V. Miller. Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses. Athens and London: University of Georgia Press. 2005
Taylor, Walter K. The Guide to Florida Wildflowers. Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company. 1992
NPIN Native Plant Database Chamaecrista fasciculata
Illinois Wild Flowers Chamaecrista fasciculata
USDA Plants Profile Chamaecrista fasciculata

Box Turtle of a Different Stripe

2009-08-31T16:07:00.002-04:00

Zipping through the trails on the gator to gather up some fern fronds, I nearly made this little guy a speed bump. At first glance he looked a little like a box turtle in the wrong colored shell (sans stripes). With a tan carapace with no markings, orange red scales on his legs, and a vivid red head I was stumped… It didn’t help that although he had a hinged plastron (pretty good id for a box turtle), this little guy was having nothing to do sealing him self safely inside his shell. Rather, as Kristen from over at Lepcurious so aptly titled this photo…this little guy was in a perpetual state of “Raaaaawrrrr!!!”

We decided to let this bundle of attitude wrapped in keratin and bone have his way with the Back Woods. From what I have read, this particular sub species of box turtle (Terrapene carolina triunguis) otherwise known as the three toed box turtle is only found in the panhandle of Florida. Being well south of his natural range, it is possible that this animal is an escaped or released pet. (Please don’t let ANY pet trade or domesticated animal go in the wild) Had I paid a little closer attention to his range we might have found him a home elsewhere. We’ll call it my karmic balance for the Bufo marinus in the freezer today…but that is another story.

Check out our Facebook page for the dramatic release into the Back Woods

USF Community Plunge

2009-08-24T11:10:00.001-04:00

Once again students from USF volunteered their time to help the Back Woods and MOSI as part of the their commitment to Tampa Bay in USF’s annual Community Plunge!

With thunderstorms looming on the horizon, the students dove into clearing vegetation from the entry to future wetland boardwalk and observation platform. Armed with loppers, hand saws, sling blades, and machetes the students made short work of years of growth of invasive species and weedy brush.

Their efforts removed nearly 15 yards of brush and invasives from the woods! And, thanks to the services of A&D Recycling and Mothers Organics composting facility all of the material cleared will be composted and re-used rather than land filled or burned.

Soaked to the gills and filthy from top to bottom at the end of the morning, these Bulls proved themselves real troopers! MOSI and the Back Woods are truly grateful for all the volunteer’s efforts and hope to work with many of them in the future.

Vanishing Act

2009-07-15T09:16:00.001-04:00

Four days passed between the capture of these two panoramas looking over the smaller sinkhole. To me, this really illustrates the importance of protecting the quality of surface waters. The water on the surface four days ago has percolated down through a sand column to the Floridan aquifer. It is quite likely bubbling up in Sulphur Springs, spilling out into Hillsborough River, and flowing into Tampa Bay.

Plant Profile: Buttonbush

2009-07-01T15:22:00.001-04:00

Common Name: Buttonbush

Scientific Name: Cephalanthus occidentalis L.

Form: Deciduous scrubby arching shrub

Height/Spread: 10-12 ft tall (upwards as high as 20 ft), spread similar to height.

Leaves: Deciduous, simple, entire margin, ovate to elliptical shape with acute tip and rounded (obtuse) base, opposite arrangement (sometimes in whorls of 3), dark green glabrous above sometimes minutely pubescent (hairy) below.

Twigs: New twigs reddish brown, slightly haired to hairless with raised corky lenticels.

Bark: Older twigs and larger stems grayish, rough, and fissured.

Flowers: Numerous fragrant small white flowers arranged in a dense globe. Stamens projecting from the cluster give it a pincushion like appearance. Flowers are borne in loose cymes typically at the end and axis of new growth. Blooms throughout the summer months; June through September.

Fruit and Seeds: Globose cluster of nutlets

Habitat : Buttonbush is an obligate wetland shrub to be found in swamps, marshes, forested wetlands and along the borders of lakes, streams and ponds.

Range: Eastern Canada to Florida and west to California, Mexico, and Cuba. Found throughout Florida.

Shade Tolerance: Tolerant

Fire Tolerance: Not tolerant. May re-sprout following fire.

Wildlife Use: Waterfowl and shorebirds consume the fruit. Bees and butterflies collect pollen and nectar from flowers.

Field ID: Buttonbush is easily recognized by its opposite or whorled leaf arrangement and or the presence of the globose white flower heads and globose fruit. Buttonbush is an obligate wetland species.

Information: The scientific name for buttonbush, Cephalanthus is from the Greek Kephale for head and anthos for flower. The globe like cluster of flowers do resemble old style globular buttons which may reveal the derivation of the common name. The Miccosukee of Florida called buttonbush “alligator shader” which seems appropriate considering their common locale along lake or river edges. Native Americans throughout the Eastern US found many medicinal uses for buttonbush. Recent analysis of the chemistry of buttonbush has revealed gylcosides that can be toxic to humans and livestock. So, leave this one for bees and butterflies.

References and Additional Resources:

Austin, Daniel F. Florida Ethnobotany. Boca Raton: CRC Press. 2004
Floridata record Cephalanthus occidentalis
Godfrey, Robert K. Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of Northern Florida and Adjacent Georgia and Alabama. Athens and London: University of Georgia Press. 1988
Miller, James H., and Karl V. Miller. Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses. Athens and London: University of Georgia Press. 2005
MOBOT Plant Finder Cephalanthus occidentalis
NPIN Native Plant Database Cephalanthus occidentalis
Tiner, Ralph W. Field Guide to Coastal Wetland Plants of the Southeastern United States. Amherst: University of Massachusetts Press. 1993
UF/IFAS Fact Sheet Cephalanthus occidentalis
USDA Plants Profile Cephalanthus occidentalis
US Forest Service Database Cephalanthus occidentalis
Virginia Tech Tree ID Cephalanthus occidentalis

Gordonia lasianthus

2009-06-16T09:20:00.001-04:00

With a name like that, it has to be cool.

And, it is! The loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus) are in bloom in the Back Woods. The white saucer like blossoms might look somewhat like small magnolia flowers but, they are of no relation. Loblolly bay are actually in the tea family (Theaceae) and are related to the ornamental camellia that you may have in your yard and the camellia cultivated for the production of tea. Loblolly bay can reach heights up to 65 feet. They prefer wet, poorly drained acid soils and are commonly found in wet flatwoods forest systems. The blooming period of loblolly is fairly short (usually just June through July) and individual flowers last only a day or two. So, now is the time to stop by the Back Woods and catch a glimpse of this flatwoods beauty before the show is over.

Flickers and Cicada Killers

2009-06-15T15:58:00.001-04:00

I spotted a yellow shafted flicker (Colaptes auratus) this morning along the trail in the southern portion of the woods. This bird was unmistakable with its bright white rump noticeable as it flew off from the trail and the tiny red patch visible on the back of its head as it lit into a tree. Although not threatened, flicker populations have been noted to be on the decline. Protecting and maintaining nesting snags (dead trees) in the forest, parks, and other natural areas can be helpful in protecting populations of flickers in our area. This is one more new species for the Back Woods list of visitors and residents.

The cicada killers are emerging and are notable through out the forest. Dodging them is sometimes a challenge. It can be an even greater challenge when they are weighed down in flight with a cicada in their grasp! Check out Prof. Chuck Holliday's Cicada Killer Page for more info on these really cool wasps.

Another Day in the Woods

2009-06-12T16:22:00.003-04:00

I just knew today was going to be a little absurd. You know the feeling… you are sure everything is going to be slightly askew. With that thought in mind, a grin on my face, and loppers in hand I headed for the woods. My heart sank in the sandhill when I saw what appeared to be one of the larger adult gopher tortoise dead in the mouth of a burrow a little too small for it. The burrow was collapsed at the top and the apron and surrounding bare sand held imprints of dog paws. Reaching in to the burrow to retrieve the body I was treated to a hiss and flip of sand by a still kicking tortoise. Fortunately our little guy had survived but was obviously exhausted by the ordeal of escaping from a domestic dog and still with back to wall per se wedged in a too small burrow. I left it be and happy to find it recovered later in the day. Dealing with free roaming domestic animals, other feral non native animals, and even some native predator species are some of the greatest challenges to maintaining a natural area for native wildlife in urban areas. Gopher tortoises are susceptible to predation from dogs, cats, armadillo, opossum, and raccoons. All of these animals are known to predate juvenile tortoise and eggs while dogs pose the greatest threat to adult tortoise. Forgive me if I am repetitive in the message of being a responsible pet owner. Please do not allow your domestic animals to roam free. Most of the animals we consider as pets are predators and no matter how well fed will prey on any native wildlife they come upon. Never release unwanted pets in the wild. Domestic pets dumped in the wild are subject to injury and death from other animals and disease. Of course spay and neuter to prevent reproduction should your pet get out or get away. Preaching done, thanks.

How is it that a plant this pretty is such a pain in the back side?! My perpetual nemesis the air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) is on the come back after the treatments of last fall and spring. This PDF on Air Potato Management in Florida tells you all you need to know and more about air potato. Should you happen to feel the need to enact your own form of vengeance on this pernicious example of flora; I would welcome any assistance in maintaining control of this green monster in the Back Woods. Potential attacks could come in the form of air potato pick ups, hand pulling vines, or machete meets vine action and I’ll bring up the rear with the herbicides. In the process, you will hopefully come across a few examples of the resident wildlife, flowering native plants, and donate a few thimbles of blood to the mosquito population. Possibly you might find an interesting artifact or two.

What an odd little find. This strange little “bird” figurine almost looked like a mummified bird body when I first came across it in the leaf litter. A closer look around revealed several other old plastic toys and children’s items long ago discarded in another one of the Back Woods’ remnant trash heaps. All of this was beneath a very nifty toppled laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), with a 10 foot diameter pancake of upturned root system, still happily growing horizontally.

Also beneath the oak was a smattering of Virginia chain fern (Woodwardia virginica) and even a clump of royal fern (Osmunda regalis). I really need to buff up on my ferns again. It’s all about venation and where the sori are! (LOL) A nice online key to ferns in southwest Florida can be found on the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary website.

(plant nerd alert) And then I looked up to see a sprig of inequilaterally based, doubly serrate margined, distinctly parallel veined leaves and shouted to the sky, “It’s an elm!” To the west of the sinkhole complex there are several long dead snags of American elms (Ulmus americana) (now charred from the brush fire) but I have not come across a single live American elm anywhere on the property. Now, low and behold, one skinny little sapling was arching its way out of the weedy brush towards the light right in front of me. It had taken advantage of growing space provided by the falling of that big laurel oak mentioned earlier and was holding its own against the smother of elderberry and wax myrtle (Morella cerifera). Yay, new tree species to add to diversity of the site.

I leave with you the simple raceme of gopher apple (Licania michauxii). One of my favorite plants (aren’t they all). These petite blossoms will give way to a delicious ( to the peculiar palate) white egg shape fruit. The taste is some what reminiscent of the philodendron Monstera deliciosa and simultaneously of that of something overripe. A couple of fairly large patches of gopher apple are really putting on a show right now in the western sandhill. There should be lots of fruit for the gopher tortoise with maybe a few left over for me.

Happy weekend. Get outside!

Playing in the Woods

2009-06-10T09:17:00.001-04:00

Volunteers have been pivotal in helping us achieve some of the clean up and restoration goals in the Back Woods. We have opportunities for interested and dedicated individuals to serve on a reoccurring basis and help us with day to day maintenance and restoration. Want to come play in the woods a day or a few days a month this summer? We currently have up to 10 openings for volunteers to be Forest Stewards for the Back Woods.

Volunteer Forest Steward opportunities:

Volunteer opportunities are open to individuals who can commit to a minimum of once a month service on a reoccurring basis. One time group projects can be coordinated.

Preservation Steward
Position description: Preservation stewards may be involved in trail construction and maintenance, boardwalk construction and maintenance, native plantings, invasive plant removal, habitat protection, and basic forest upkeep.
Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age and capable of working out-of-doors year round in extremes of temperature. Position requires a moderate to high level of physical capability. Previous experience with landscape related hand tools and power tools helpful but not required. Closed toe shoes and long pants are required year round.
Shifts: Monday through Friday 8am to noon as available

Monitoring Steward

Position description: Monitoring Stewards may be involved in collecting data on the plants and animals present in the Back Woods, establishing photo reference points to track habitat changes, quantitative measure of plant populations, updating database records, locating and recording positions of invasive species, and assisting in basic forest upkeep.

Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age and capable of working out-of-doors year round in extremes of temperature. Position requires a moderate to high level of physical capability. Knowledge of Central Florida plant/animal species and habitat types helpful but not necessary. Closed toe shoes and long pants are required year round.

Shifts: Monday through Friday 8am to noon as available

Outreach Steward (Coming Soon)

Position description: Outreach Stewards may be involved in docent activities in the Back Woods including; conducting nature walks and developing/delivering natural resource related talks for MOSI guests, school groups and the general public.

Requirements: Must be at least 18 years of age and capable of working out-of-doors year round in extremes of temperature. Position requires a moderate to high level of physical capability. Working knowledge of Central Florida native flora, fauna, and habitats preferred. Closed toe shoes and long pants are required year round.

Shifts: Variable daytime shifts and weekends may be available as the program develops.

Please contact Carolyn at crhodes@mosi.org for more information on volunteer positions.

Turtle Crossing Merit Badge

2009-06-10T08:55:00.001-04:00

If you live in Florida, you have no doubt already earned your helping a turtle cross the street merit badge a hundred times over. Once again I was called into action. Along with requisite consumption of two very strong cups of coffee, this mornings duties included helping a turtle navigate a daunting curb after crossing the street. Although I sure this Florida box turtle (Terrapene carolina bauri) would have been quite capable of navigating along the curb until he came to grass again; I really didn’t want him to spend that much time on the roadway with the all the summer school traffic coming in this morning. And of course it gives me an excuse to share him with you.

A very easy to ID turtle in the field; the Florida box turtle has a very dark brown carapace (top of the shell) with bright yellow striations. This little guy was also easily identified as a male from the deep indentation at the rear of the plastron (belly of the shell). Another neat feature of the box turtle is the hinge on the forward portion of the plastron which allows the box turtle to nearly seal himself in completely.

Not previously noted in any historical wildlife sightings in the Back Woods; this Florida box turtle is a welcome addition to our little forest home.

Diminutive in Blue

2009-06-08T09:37:00.001-04:00

A lovely carpet of Baldwin’s eryngo (Eryngium baldwinii Spreng.) has developed on the margin of the forest near the old wetland boardwalk/overlook. Common throughout Florida into Georgia this plant is frequently found in moist open pinelands and disturbed areas. In the celery family (Apiaceae), the tiny oblong globes of flowers start out white and develop into a rich cornflower blue hue making for a delightful dapple of color nearly year round.

Elderberry Time

2009-06-05T14:57:00.001-04:00

One of my favorite plants found in the Back Woods (and found throughout most of the US and Canada) is the elderberry; Sambucus nigra L. subsp. canadensis (L.)Bolli. In the honeysuckle family Caprofoliaceae, it has beautiful fragrant white flowers arranged in dense flat clusters reminiscent of the more herbaceous Queen Anne’s lace of more northern climes. Following those fabulous flowers come some quite delectable black/purple berries that are perfect to stew up into some jelly or jam or ferment into a fine elderberry wine. Notably the rest of the plant, including unripened berries, is mildly toxic. ( When in doubt never consume any wild fruit or other plant parts)

Very popular with wildlife, this plant can be found in semi shaded dry areas and tolerates full sun in moist conditions. Elderberry is a vigorous pioneering species readily colonizing any clearing particularly on moist sites. Deciduous in the winter and resprouting every spring in dense clumps; Elderberry can be easily recognized in the field even when not in flower by it’s distinctive compound leaves and soft pithy stems covered in warty lenticels.

Pioneers in Space

2009-05-28T10:17:00.002-04:00

Part of the challenge in habitat restoration that entails clearing mechanically or with herbicide is just what will take advantage of all that new growing space. Often it is not the species you desire. Case in point; the ubiquitous Caesar weed (Urena lobata). This aggressive pioneer species has taken advantage of the recent cleaning and clearing around the outdoor stage complex.

A vast carpet of paired cotyledons glow green from a thick compost of sand live oak leaf litter. I am amazed at the density of seedlings in this area. It makes me ponder dozens and dozens of children attentive to some program on the stage. Mindlessly they pluck away at the sticky burs caught in their clothing on their trip through the woods and drop them to fertile earth at their feet. There they lie in thick litter beneath a dense canopy, made denser by invasive vines, suppressed from growth. Then noble intentioned conservators armed with sharpened metal and the fruits of chemical ingenuity release vital elements of life, growing space. Then did mother nature let forth the final ingredient, a deluge of rain. It rained, they were sown, they conquered….time to break out the Round-Up.

Welcome Rain

2009-05-19T15:18:00.004-04:00

I had been watching tensely as the dry days kept coming following our recent pine planting. I was cringing as the candles on the longleaf seedlings wilted in the heat. I was afraid we were going to lose significant numbers of trees. Fortunately, the recent rains have provided some much needed moisture and relief from the heat. Most of the pines are perky and happily soaking up every last drop the sky lets loose on them.

The wetlands are filled to capacity again and water is still overflowing Buttonbush pond to the sinkhole complex (pictured above). The frogs are in heaven. The cacophony of courting following the first really significant deluge was nearly deafening. I heard way too many non native Cuban tree frogs (Osteopilus septentrionalis) and a few greenhouse frogs (Eleutherodactylus planirostris) in the mix but, was pleased to hear competing choruses from southern toads (Bufo terrestris) and a few green tree frogs (Hyla cinerea). I really need to buff up on my frog calls to better determine the diversity our anuran residents. Check out the Frog Listening Network to beef up your own skills and take part in citizen science network of collecting data.

Find out more about Florida frogs and toads at this UF Wildlife Extension page

Cypress Twig Gall Midge

2009-05-11T15:15:00.002-04:00

Insects fascinate me almost as much as plants. Their unique evolutionary ties with plants whether commensal, beneficial, or parasitic are a source of endless wonder to me. I share with you today, the cypress twig gall midge. I found these guys on the lower limbs of bald cypress in natural wetland when I was trying to find immature cypress cones low enough to photograph. You can just see (below) the top of the same tree loaded with ball shaped cones. If you don’t hear from me in a while it is probably because I fell out of a cypress trying to get a picture.

Brown Thrasher

2009-05-11T13:48:00.001-04:00

I was delightfully startled by this Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) sitting on a nest. Normally considered fairly aggressive when nesting, I was cutting grape vine with a foot or two of this bird before I was aware of it as it finally hissed and jumped from the nest. This is easily one of my favorite birds of the Back Woods.

Green Day Photos

2009-04-28T14:39:00.004-04:00

All the smiling faces and helping hands at MOSI's Green Day 2009

MOSI Green Day 2009

2009-04-28T13:51:00.006-04:00

Wow, what an absolutely smashing success! First off I have to extend my thanks to the 204 VOLUNTEERS who showed up Saturday to participate in the plantings and clean up! Can you believe that number?! There are some seriously awesome folks in Tampa Bay who are all about making a difference any way they can. My most sincere thanks and kudos go out to them!

This past Saturday MOSI held it’s first ever Green Day event to celebrate the week of Earth Day and National Arbor Day. MOSI led into the event with plantings in the Richard T Bowers Historic Tree Grove starting Wednesday on Earth Day carrying through to Friday on Arbor Day. Nine thematic plantings tied in with the unique histories of the trees in the grove were funded by a grant from Fiskars and were installed by another corps of awesome volunteers led by Kristen G our curator of the BioWorks, butterfly gardens and tree grove. (Check out Kristen’s blog Lepcurious for more details and pictures)

Saturday MOSI held a Green themed exhibitor fair in the Richard T Bowers Historic Tree Grove with some wonderful folks including; Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful, South West Florida Water Management District, Natural Resource Planning Services, Morningstar Fisherman, M & B Products, HCC Institute of Florida Studies, Galaxy Eco Wash, Enviro-tech, Green Armada, FL Aquarium Green Team, Baby Girl Cleaning Products, Hillsborough County Solid Waste, Posey Power Batteries, and a few more (apologies to anyone I am missing!)

Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful was pivotal in helping us recruit and register 204 volunteers for the event. Volunteers cleaned up a mile and a half of city roadways including Fowler Avenue in front of the museum and the side streets bordering the Back Woods. More volunteers bagged trash along the nature trails and dug out long buried trash deep in the woods. Another team of volunteers filled bags and bags with seed pods of invasive trees. With shovels lent to MOSI by Hillsborough County’s Special Events Team, volunteers planted 90 longleaf pine throughout the east and west sandhills of the Back Woods. Cub Scout Pack 78, always up to any task, took on trimming trees growing into the trails. An intrepid group of Girl Scouts dove into duty late in the day cleaning and raking the trails. And with some serious gusto, teams of volunteers armed only with rakes and shovels and some serious fortitude filled in the plow line from our recent brush fire!!

Many thanks go out to all the MOSI staff and friends for help making the day possible. Thanks to Phil, Joel, Guest Services, Custodial, Parking, Cafe, Kristen, Sara, MOSI Science Store, and probably a ton more staff I am forgetting. Thanks to Mindy from NRPS for help mapping and flagging trees. Super thanks to Will and T.R.E.E. Inc. for donating nearly 100 longleaf pines for the plantings! Thanks to Steve for helping me schlep all those trees in and out of the truck! Thank you to Walter for taking photographs (and to Erin for letting me borrow him.) And, thanks to Joe and Pat for helping me heft 60 plus bags of garbage in the dumpster at the end of the day!

Our most sincere thanks go to the folks who provided extras for all of our amazing volunteers; thank you to Natural Resource Planning Services for providing over 200 bottles of water for our volunteers, thank you to M&B Products for providing water and juice in their unique bags to our volunteers, thank you to Dunkin Donuts for providing coffee and donuts for our volunteers, super thanks to MOSI for giving all volunteers a free pass to MOSI, and super super thanks to Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful for providing volunteers with t-shirts, sunscreen, bracelets, more water, tote bags, snacks, and other goodies in appreciation of their great service!

Thanks to Pat and Daisy from Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful for all of their awesome efforts with out which the day would not have been possible. KHCB does some really awesome work with almost no staff and more enthusiasm than 100 people!

Here is looking forward to MOSI’s Green Day 2010, Cheers!

Pleasant Surprise

2009-04-21T08:04:00.002-04:00

Retrieving a trash can lid tossed in the woods during the recent blow; I came across this little guy quite comfortable underneath. A first wild find for me, this is a pine woods snake Rhadinaea flavilata. Found in moist pinelands and hardwood wetlands (this one was in the wet Flatwoods near the sinkhole), they are common in central Florida. Smaller more isolated populations of this reptile, impacted by habitat destruction, are in imperiled status in other states. Although listed as non venomous, they are actually rear fanged and have what one site termed “slightly venomous saliva”. They are egg layers and the adults reach about 10-13 inches in length like the one pictured here. One more “made my day” moment courtesy the Back Woods.

More Gopher Goodness

2009-04-16T16:55:00.002-04:00

Couple more shots from my guests from the EPC.

Looks like hatchling size to me but, seems a little out place in that much of the literature indicates breeding season starting around April with up to a 100 day gestation. So, we’ll assume he is probably last years brood going on 6-9 months old. Our resident ecologist Celina has them on her radar now. Won’t be long and I am sure she’ll be giving us a full rundown as soon she comes across one!

MOSI’s Newest Team Member

2009-04-16T16:22:00.002-04:00

While touring with some guests from the EPC through the Back Woods this morning, we came upon (and nearly stepped on) on this super coo inducing little cutie. There might not be anything cuter in a sandhill than an itty bitty orange gopher tortoise baby. And, along with the news that a staff member relocated another the same size from the parking lots earlier in the week; I would say we have good evidence there is a reproducing population of gopher tortoise using the sandhills in the Back Woods! Yay!

And to put that size in a little better perspective…

Outdoor Stage Renovation

2009-04-06T15:50:00.002-04:00

Boy Scout Andrew D. preformed some renovation work on the outdoor stage area as part of the requirements to earn his Eagle Scout status. This past Saturday; Andrew, family, and other scouts cleared the outdoor stage platform and surrounding area of weedy debris, reset the campfire rings and resurfaced all the seating with new stained and treated planks. Awesome work Andrew! MOSI and I thank you immensely!

Just to give you an idea of the improvement this photo is of the state of the seating area in July of 2008.

Snapping Turtle Tease

2009-04-06T15:29:00.002-04:00

Man am I a sucker for critters. There is not a one out there I cannot be induced to coo over (well except maybe Huntsman spiders). Here is my latest coo.

This little snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina serpentina) was making his or her way out of the stormwater retention to the wetland this morning. This is the time of year we might see aquatic turtles moving in and out of wetland areas to find mates.

It may be a little early (but it seems like a lot of things are happening early this year) but this animal may have been moving out of the wetland looking for a nesting area to lay eggs.

A note on the photo quality. Sadly, my (personal) Nikon Coolpix 4500 has suffered some sort of malfunction. Borrowing a later generation coolpix from the museum exhibits department has been disappointing. Of course the question is…is it the user or the equipment…I’ll definitely take part of the blame in needing to get up to speed with a new camera but, the lens on this later model does not produce the color and clarity of my old 4500, sigh.

Flora and Fauna of the Back Woods

2009-03-31T11:12:00.001-04:00

A current listing of plants and animals documented in the Back Woods. Do you have something to add please let us know!

Plow Line Clean-up

2009-03-18T10:49:00.002-04:00

We are in need of volunteers to help us fill in the plow lines cut in to contain our recent brush fire. The level of activity is moderate. We will be using hand tools (shovels, rakes, etc) to fill and level the soil surface where the plow lines were cut. If you are interested in participating in reoccurring volunteer service as a Back Woods Forest Steward, please email me at crhodes@mosi.org.

MOSI Wildfire Video

2009-03-17T20:25:00.001-04:00

Tampa Fire Rescue copy: On 3/14/09 about 1340 hrs TFR units responded to a brush fire in the wooded area behind the Museum of Science and Industry, 4801 E Fowler Avenue. On scene fire crews reported smoke coming from the woods about 100 feet into the tree line, they estimated about 2 acres to be burning. It took about 90 minutes to bring the fire under control, no injuries were reported.

An Investigator from the Tampa Fire Marshals Office is on scene looking into the fire cause.

Fire crews worked quickly to make sure the flames did not interrupt the Renaissance Festival occurring at the edge of the woods. Some smoke went into the festival area, there was no interruption to the festival or MOSI.

After fire crews used brush trucks to access the burning area and knock down the fire a tractor from the Division of Forestry arrived on scene to cut a fire break around the burnt area. Nearly 3 acres burnt.

About 8 firefighting units from Tampa, Temple Terrace, the Division of Forestry and Hillsborough County were on scene.

Wildfire in the Back Woods

2009-03-14T21:46:00.002-04:00

Got a call this afternoon around 2pm from my boss telling me there was a wildfire in the Back Woods. Local fire departments were already on scene and working to cut fence and get hose and people into the fire by the time I received the call. Dashing out to the woods as fast as the gator would carry me; I was able to capture a few photos of some active fire at the end of the event and before the local FD asked me to leave. The big palmetto is on the north side of the big sink hole.The composite shot is from the center of the big sink hole. The Division of Forestry was on hand at the end of the day to help with the mop up and put a plow line in around the fire to prevent it from spreading from the containment area from any flame-ups tonight or tomorrow. Needless to say we have some fairly significant damage from the plow lines. Volunteers will be needed to do some plow line restoration. Interested? Email me!

Owl Remnants

2009-03-11T14:42:00.002-04:00

Sadly one of our forest sentinels is silently composting in the Back Woods. I am not completely positive of the identification. I am pretty sure it is either a barred owl or a great horned owl, both of which have been documented using the Back Woods. Any birders out there who could confirm the id? Sigh.

Scat Alert

2009-03-11T14:06:00.002-04:00

One man’s scat is this foresters smile of the day. I present to you; gopher tortoise poo.

One Man’s Weed

2009-03-11T13:43:00.003-04:00

Lots of lovelies are peeking out some blossoms in the Back Woods. You may be familiar with some of these as common roadside weeds though they are shining here as welcome color in the woods. Here are just a few our spring early birds.

Shiny lyonia (Lyonia lucida) or one of the many plants called fetterbush. Shiny lyonia is the Ericaceae family commonly known as the heath family. You will find blueberries and and St John’s wort in this family as well. Notice how the flowers are similar to blueberries. In a previous post we pointed out the notable lateral vein on the outside edge of the leaf. This shot captures both the flowers and that distinguishable characteristic.

Florida greeneyes (Berlandiera subacaulis), a lovely little weed in the making it’s presence known in the sandhill.

Some dew laden toadflax (Linaria canadensis) flowers. The family is a real mouthful…Scophulariaceae…gotta love it! Couldn’t you guess that common snapdragons are also found in this family. This diminutive flower is found in disturbed sites everywhere.

One of Kristen’s favorites is about to explode across the Back Woods. Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) really can’t be beat for putting on a spring show. The flower color is sometimes hard to capture (blues and purple often do not photograph true) but, I think we came pretty close here.

Sandhill Expansion

2009-03-10T10:15:00.002-04:00

Saturday was an absolutely wonderful day spent with old friends and new. Members of the Caribbean Chapter (all of central to southern Florida and Puerto Rico) of the Society of American Foresters held their annual volunteer service day in the Back Woods @ MOSI. New volunteer Forest Stewards, George and Brian, joined us to learn some chainsaw skills and help in the cleanup.

Priority of the day was to tackle the hardwoods (mostly sand live oak [Quercus geminata] and some black cherry [Prunus serotina] that are encroaching on the sandhill plant community. Commonly the canopy of trees in a sandhill community in our area might be dominated with longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) with a mix of a little turkey oak (Quercus laevis) , bluejack oak (Quercus incana), sand live oak, and others depending on the amount of disturbance (fire) the system is exposed to. Typically these systems are very open and subject to frequent low intensity fires that keep all but the fire resistant longleaf pine from dominating the canopy.

Needless to say their were some hardwoods shaking in their roots on Saturday. To the task; professional foresters (Sam), land managers (Stu), forestry consultants (Eric), and forestry students (Walter) broke out their chainsaws and starting clearing. Many thanks to SAF member Sam for sharing chainsaw skills with our volunteer Brian (we might even make him a forester). Some serious progress was made in the western sandhill. Unwanted hardwoods were cleared in the center and around the perimeter. This section is one of the few open areas in the forest still able to support herbaceous sandhill species and gopher tortoise.

In addition to clearing trees, we cleared a serious amount of garbage from the sandhill. Volunteer George meticulously collected bags and bags of broken glass, mattress coils, and miscellaneous construction debris buried in the sandhill and more revealed by the clearing activities. There is still a disturbing amount of buried material throughout the forest but with our volunteers concerted efforts, the task is most definitely surmountable!

SAF members Mindy and Erin took on the task of recording GPS coordinates and conditions of the over 100 trees planted in January for MOSI’s Florida Arbor Day Celebration. Fortunately both Mindy and Erin participated in the January plantings and were familiar with the scattered locations of all the trees. Following the field collection, Mindy is collating all the data and producing GIS documents to analyze the data spatially(Thanks Mindy!). With this data, we hope to track the success of the planting and the future growth of the trees.

We closed out the day hot and dusty. I thanked my friends for all their help and wished them well on their way home (some traveled over a hundred miles to join us for the day). I captured one last photo in the woods as everyone left. A honey bee on poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) blossoms signaling to me Spring is on the way and all is well with the woods.

Technorati Tags: sandhill,volunteer,volunteers,SAF,restoration,vegetation management

2009-03-05T16:39:00.003-05:00

Wow, what a difference. Two new volunteer forest stewards Brian and George made a major dent in some of the demolition necessary in the Back Woods. The lush invasive filled picture shows our picnic platform in the western flatwoods. It was dilapidated, rotting out from underneath, and collapsing from soil subsidence.
Needless to say, it was in even worse shape than pictured here.

The second photo shows the fruits of some dedicated volunteer labor. New volunteer Brian (demolitionist extraordinaire) started his first day tackling the platform. On a second day he and new volunteer George (saw palmetto slasher extraordinaire) finished up the job! WooHoo! All that is left is some tidying up, repairing the waste can, and deciding on how to use the area in the future.

A comment on the brown: A fan to the MOSI Facebook page mentioned concern about the appearance of the Back Woods. Here is what I said in response; The Back Woods is undergoing an habitat restoration process which includes treating non native invasive plant species mechanically and with herbicides. Top that with a notable nippy and dry winter, and there appears to be a lot of brown in the Back Woods. Already we are seeing native shrubs and herbaceous material that was smothered by invasive competitive air potato vine making a come back even in this challenging weather. Please check out our forest blog TheLongleaf at http://thelongleaf.blogspot.com/ for more details about the restoration process. In addition to pictures on the blog, you can see more pictures of the Back Woods at our Flickr site MOSI Outside http://www.flickr.com/groups/mosioutside/ where you will definitely find plenty of beautiful things very much alive in the Back Woods.Thank you for your concern! Cheers, TheLongleaf

Beautiful Brambles

2009-03-05T14:54:00.004-05:00

The highbush or sawtooth blackberries (Rubus argutus [syn. betulifolius]) are starting to show some color (a little early it seems) in the Back Woods. And, of course we all know what follows is a juicy aggregate of drupelets we call a berry. Yum! This particular blackberry species is found throughout the Southeast in wet or dry areas and is commonly found in disturbed areas. Blackberries of all species are a very important group of plants to wildlife. The fruit is eaten by mammals and birds, the foliage is browsed deer and rabbits, and the thickets are refuge and nesting sites to many kinds of animals.

Skyblue Beauty

2009-03-03T07:31:00.004-05:00

A solitary skyblue lupine (Lupinus diffusus) is gracing us with bloom in the western sandhill. Skyblue lupine are found commonly throughout the state of Florida in sandhills and dry open hammocks. Popular with bees, the flowers have a pale blue corolla with a creamy white central spot. Even when not in bloom, they are easily recognizeable by their silky silvery haired foliage. Lupine are a member of the Fabaceae family (formerly Leguminosae) known commonly to many as the bean family or legumes. With a nod to Kristen over at the Lepcurious blog, lupine are in a sub order of legumes described as papilionaceous or having flowers that resemble a butterfly. Check out the MOSI Outside Flickr group for more pictures of the lupine and other great shots from the Back Woods, BioWorks butterfly garden, and the Richard T Bowers Historic Tree Grove

Nice Notation

2009-02-04T07:22:00.006-05:00

Our current restoration work is being funded through a Pollution Recovery Fund Grant from the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission. The EPC puts out a newsletter to inform the public about how Pollution Recovery Fund dollars are being spent. There is a nice little blurb at the bottom of page four about our project with a couple of nice before and after pictures.

Looking to the NW over the drainage from Buttonbush pond to the Big Sink the change is dramatic. The first composite taken in August '08 shows the drainage completely covered in air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) and skunk vine (Paederia foetida). More noticeable in the second composite taken in December '08, the non native invasives were also making their way into and competing with the canopy of the longleaf pines (Pinus palustris).
Even though most of it appears brown and crunchy; there are many native shrubs and herbaceous species that even in the midst of winter are actively filling in the new growing space where the non natives were treated. Yay!

History of Abuse

2009-01-15T14:11:00.002-05:00

Our little forest has been around awhile. Aerials from the thirties show at least some woods around the persistent wetland. As the surrounding area developed over the years our little woods, like many natural areas adjacent to development, became an easy dumping ground. Even after many concerted cleanup efforts (including one that entailed 50 dump truck loads to the landfill over a two week period of time in 1990!) there is still a considerable amount of trash to be found in the Back Woods. Much of this material is buried in sandy mounds in off trail locations, or had been obscured by the recently treated non native invasive vegetation, or is slowly working its way to the surface here and there.

Some of the volunteers during Saturday’s Florida Arbor Day event took to the woods armed with gloves, trash bags, and some serious determination. Part of their haul for the day was some 40 tires that were buried deep in overgrown saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) that had also been covered in invasive air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera) vine.

All though the presence of this junk makes me angry and a little incredulous, I like to channel that frustration into action. A continued concerted methodical effort to clear the Back Woods of trash by staff and volunteers will significantly improve the habitat and aesthetics. The act of cleaning can serve to educate those doing the job and those witness to their efforts about the impact dumping has on our natural resources. If you would like to be a part of that effort please, let me know.

New Water Tank

2009-01-15T12:38:00.002-05:00

Awesome new friend to the Back Woods, David, has donated a water tank to fit the gator. Repurposed from a commercial red wine vinegar container, David outfitted it with hose connections and hose so we can use it to water our newly planted trees. The setup is a simple gravity feed operation to deliver the water and the whole thing is manageable to move in and out of the gator (empty of course) by two people. David told me he and friends first got cued into the potential repurpose of these tanks when looking for a drinking water rain cistern for some folks in need in the Caribbean. I love working with people who can see alternative potential in every opportunity. They are an inspiration. Thank you, David!

Twittering in the Forest

2009-01-13T17:41:00.003-05:00

Ever following Kristen's lead over at Lepcurious, the MOSI butterfly garden blog, we have succumbed to the temptation of twittering.
Follow us at TheLongleaf on Twitter

Types of Trees Planted

2009-01-13T13:48:00.012-05:00

Pat from Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful is fortunately keeping me on my toes. How could I have forgot such a detail. Would you like to know what we planted? Check out the list below.

Trees Planted:
Qty. 10 3-gallon loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus)
Qty. 10 3-gallon dahoon holly (Ilex cassine)
Qty. 3 15-gallon dahoon holly (Ilex cassine)
Qty. 10 3-gallon Simpson’s stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans)
Qty. 3 15-gallon Simpson’s stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans)
Qty. 20 3-gallon redbay (Persea borbonia)
Qty. 3 15-gallon redbay (Persea borbonia)
Qty. 50- 3-gallon longleaf pine (Pinus palustris)
Qty. 10 3-gallon Walter’s viburnum (Viburnum obovatum)
Qty. 3 15-gallon Walter’s viburnum (Viburnum obovatum)

Additionally we never got to another 10 3 gal black gum (Nyssa sylvatica biflora) and a member of the SAF student chapter donated some 3 gal basswood (Tilia americana). The black gum (I call them tupelo) will find a home in the depths of the wetlands and the bass wood will find a home somewhere in the flatwoods transition.

After the planting a volunteer asked why I chose the species I did. We didn't exactly get our first choices due to the time of year and availability from the nursery industry. But, the thought behind all the choices was the same. I wanted to find species that were commonly found in the habitats exhibited in the Back Woods (sandhill, flatwoods, hardwood wetland, transitions). And, I tried to find species that would increase the diversity of plant species and provide resources for wildlife.

More soon on some of those individual tree species...

Tree Planting Photo Album

2009-01-13T12:24:00.004-05:00

More pictures of all the happenings at MOSI in celebration of Florida Arbor Day

Florida Arbor Day

If you can help me place names to faces please check out the album on picasa and email me the info at crhodes@mosi.org

Florida Arbor Day Tree Planting Event

2009-01-13T09:55:00.010-05:00

This past Saturday January 10th 2009, we celebrated Florida Arbor Day with a volunteer tree planting and an outdoor exhibition. The trees for the planting were provided by a grant to MOSI through a partnership of the USDA Forest Service, the Florida Division of Forestry and the National Football League to promote urban reforestation in the Tampa Bay Watershed in conjunction with Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa Bay.

The real stars of the day were 80 plus volunteers who pre-registered to help us plant 120 trees in the Back Woods and Bioworks Butterfly Garden. (Many of our volunteers found out about us through the great efforts of the folks at Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful.)

The volunteers stepped up to the challenge of matching names and color codes of half a dozen different species of trees and finding pre-flagged locations in the Back Woods to plant them.

The volunteers made short work of their individual planting tasks, returning to the staging area again and again looking for more plants to get in the ground.

Scout Pack 78 St Francis of Assisi single handedly tackled 10 15 gallon trees in the butterfly garden. Those young men and their leaders did an absolutely awesome job! Hopefully we will be working with these powerhouses in the future in the Back Woods.

Volunteers found many other ways to make an impact in addition to the planting. New friend to the Back Woods, volunteer Rich, brought an entire collection of tree and brush cutting tools. Rich undertook felling a massive invasive exotic tree in the forest that had been killed by herbicide treatments. (pictures soon) Thank you Rich! Another group offered clean-up service in the Back Woods. A pile of 40 plus tires along the trail pulled from the brush is proof of their days work, awesome (pictures soon)! Another new friend to the Back Woods, volunteer David, has offered to outfit our gator with a water tank to help establish all the trees planted. WOW, thank you David! And can not forget to thank regular MOSI volunteers Hands On Tampa Bay who staffed our volunteer check in and helped with the event set up and staffing.

Exhibitors for the celebration included Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful (KHCB), Florida Division of Forestry (FLDOF), University of Florida Plant City, Society of American Foresters(Caribbean Chapter), A-1 Assets, and One Source.
Pat DePlasco of KHCB had t-shirts for all of our volunteers and spent the day sharing information on litter prevention and clean-up. Carrie Kotal, Polk County Forester, represented the Florida Division of Forestry bringing with her Smokey the Bear and another forester on call for wildfire situations with his cool ride. Dr. Martin Wortman was on hand from UF to share info that the University of Florida has a satellite campus in Plant City where you can pursue a 4 year degree from UF in Natural Resource Conservation or Agriculture Education without ever going to Gainesville. Certified arborist Annie from One Source was on hand to discuss tree maintenance. One Source Management, Inc, our grounds company, also graciously sponsored the materials to offer a bird seed craft for our littler guests. A-1 Assets was on hand to offer small electronics recycling for our guests. And the Caribbean Chapter of the Society of American Foresters offered a selection of native tree seedlings for sale as part of their annual scholarship fundraising.

Special thanks also go out to many who helped by lending us the tools to make the day possible. MOSI employees contributed a nearly a dozen shovels to the task. Landscape design firm Plant Adoption Landscape, Inc lent out their entire compliment of shovels to us for the day. And the real heroes were the Special Events Team of Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation who filled in the gap by bringing enough shovels and rakes to put a tool in every volunteer’s hands. Park Ranger Charles Moss also kept track of all our tools and resupplied volunteers with materials throughout the day.

Additional thanks go out to some special friends who helped make this day possible; Mindy Moss (Consulting Forester: NRPS) who was invaluable in helping me promote and stage this event, Erin Givens (Continuing Education Coordinator Hillsborough Community College - Plant City Campus) who was my crack photographer for the day, Walter Givens who tackled all my last minute staging craziness with a smile, Lisa Leonard MOSI Events and Promotions Coordinator who helped turn a planting into an event, Kristen Gilpin MOSI Bioworks Butterfly Garden and her volunteers, T.J. Couch and his "deuce and a half", and Will Moriaty of T.R.E.E. Inc. who has worked diligently to coordinate the all the parties involved in the NFL tree planting initiative and has promoted reforestation in Tampa Bay for over 20 years.

I am sure there are many more I may have missed unintentionally; Thank you all for participating and contributing to habitat restoration in the Back Woods.

Florida Arbor Day Celebration and Tree Planting

2009-01-13T07:16:00.002-05:00

WOW, what a wonderful day! We had an overwhelming turnout of volunteers (over 80 registered volunteers) to help us plant over 120 trees in the Back Woods and Bioworks Butterfly Garden.
More details on the way! I have so many Thank Yous to make!

Florida Arbor Day Volunteers

2009-01-06T10:48:00.002-05:00

MOSI is celebrating Florida Arbor Day this Saturday January 10th with a mass volunteer planting of 100+ trees in the Back Woods forest preserve and the BioWorks Butterfly Garden. In addition to the plantings, there will nature and tree related craft activities for the kids, a native tree seedling sale, recycling info from the City of Tampa, info from the Florida Division of Forestry, and more!! The event takes place from 11am to 3pm.

Now what was that about volunteers? Well, I just wanted to note that we have an overwhelming response to our call for volunteers to help with our planting! I owe many thanks to Andrea Barber at Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful, Mindy Moss with the Caribbean chapter of the Society of American Foresters, Rob Northrop Hillsborough County Extension Forester, and the marketing staff here at MOSI for getting the word out to potential volunteers!

If you are volunteering this Saturday, thank you in advance. This is going to be a wonderful day to get outdoors, plant a tree, and get involved with the restoration of the Back Woods forest. It is my hope that many of you will want to return to volunteer for more restoration activities!

From Scat to State Tree

2008-12-11T18:30:00.013-05:00

One of my favorite things about tromping about in the forest is the interesting “stories” you can come across. How is it that tree grew with that interesting crook (the remains of another tree on the ground may yield the answer), why do the lichens on a tree in the wetlands stop at a certain height (how long water stood over the summer had something to do with it), or why is there a swale in the middle of the flatwoods (didn’t they ride off road through here years ago)? Discovering and realizing an origin of something not expected or seemingly out of order in the woods, no matter how easy to figure out, always invokes a certain pleasant wonder for me. It’s like that "three year old" kind of glee of realizing you are able to state; I know why that is. That is what the woods do for me every day.

My forest revelation this week starts with a funny clump of pleated strap like foliage under dense pine canopy. It is near a colony of toothpetal false reinorchids (Habenaria floribunda). Is it another type of orchid (the giant orchid [Pteroglossaspis ecristata] found earlier this fall had similar foliage)? Ooh, or is it some kind of iris?

A closer look reveals a clump of numerous black berries burst open with seeds germinating into mass of sabal palm (Sabal palmetto) seedlings.

A quick scan of the canopy reveals no cabbage palms mixed with the pines. Hmm, just where did these seeds come from? A quick scan around the forest floor nearby turns up a not yet germinated clump of berries and seeds in a distinct “pile” formation. A quick Google search of the names of some the likely culprits, along with the term scat, yields images to confirm a raccoon is the responsible party. Raccoons and many other forest inhabitants relish sabal fruit and do their best to ensure its distribution.

Mystery solved…glee realized…and a secondary benefit, you are now keyed in to notice the multitude of little clumps of sabal seedlings here, there, and everywhere.
Man that was one busy raccoon.