A Fond Farewell

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

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

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

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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

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

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. Current opportunities M-F 7am-4pm.

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

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).

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.

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 ;-).

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.

 

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. Current opportunities M-F 7am-4pm.

This Week in the Woods

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

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).

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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