Volume 7, Issue 3Summer 2014

Florida Wildflower Foundation Quarterly Newsletterwww.FlaWildflowers.org

news from the FIELD

Produced in partnership with the Florida Scenic Highways program. More information at www.FloridaScenicHighways.com.

Enriching lives with Florida’s native wildflowers

INSIDEWildflower resolutions .................. 2

Plant profile .................................. 2

Gopher tortoises ........................... 3

Member profile ............................. 4

Wildflowers, Naturally! ................. 4

Interesting Eryngiums ................... 5

Calendar ....................................... 5

Wildflower app ............................. 6

Member corner ............................. 6

Doug Tallamy, author of Bringing Nature Home, will be the keynote speaker at the Florida Wildflower Symposium, set for Sept. 19 and 20 at Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. A nationally renowned speaker, Tallamy chairs the University of Delaware’s Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology in Newark, Del. He has written more than 65 research articles and has taught insect taxonomy, behavioral ecology, and other subjects.

Tallamy’s appearance at the symposium dinner on Friday, Sept. 19, is just one of the event’s highlights. On Saturday, Sept. 20, there will be presentations by regional experts on wildflowers, native plants, wildlife and butterflies, and a workshop during which participants can design their

own native wildflower landscape. Friday field trips include a a stroll along the Wildflower Wayside Shrine Trail at South Florida State College, Avon Park. Also planned are a wildflower propagation workshop, a tour of

Bok’s endangered plant nursery, and a guided walk of the gardens’ sandhill restoration area. Cost to attend the symposium dinner is $35 for Florida Wildflower Foundation members and $45 for non-members. Saturday admission is $35 for FWF and Bok Tower Garden members and $45 for non-members, which includes a $5 donation to Bok Tower Gardens. Field trips are $10 for members and $15 for non-members.

To receive symposium details and the link to

registration when it opens, be sure to subscribe to the FWF e-news list at www.flawildflowers.org/enewssubscription.php.

Nationally known author Doug Tallamy to be Florida Wildflower Symposium keynote speaker

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/FloridaWildflowerFoundation Follow us on Twitter: @FlaWildflowers Read our blog: www.floridawildflowerfoundation.blogspot.com

Summer wildflower viewing By Jeff NorciniSpring and fall wildflowers can be

spectacular with a plethora of yellow and purple flowers, but summer seems to offer a wider diversity of colorful, showy wildflowers along roadsides:• the white flowers of shortleaf rosegentian

(Sabatia brevifolia) with a whiteness that seems to rival that of high-quality, bright white paper;

• the exquisite beauty of the satiny pink rosegentians like largeflower rosegentian (Sabatia grandiflora);

• the stunning blues of skyflower (Hydrolea corymbosa) and blue sage (Salvia azurea);

• the brilliant yellows of milkworts — tall pinebarren milkwort (Polygala cymosa) and low pinebarren milkwort (Polygala ramosa);

• the vivid oranges of fewflower milkweed (Asclepias lanceolata) and butterfly

milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) that are easily spotted from a distance (in what other season is it so easy to see orange wildflowers?);

• the vibrant red of scarlet hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) with its huge flowers, and the regal red of cardinalflower (Lobelia cardinalis), whose flowers can be easily seen from a distance.Often, two or three or more of these

wildflowers occur together, making the aesthetic impact all the more impressive. Many of these species occur in moist swales and ditches along roadsides in rural areas, especially roadsides adjacent to natural areas and in pine forests maintained by burning.

Coastal areas and beaches are also a good place to see summer blooms, such as blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella), dune sunflower (Helianthus debilis), railroad vine

(Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. brasiliensis), seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens), and spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata).

(Continued on page 5)

Fewflower milkweed (Asclepias lanceolata) (Photo/Jeff Norcini)

Doug Tallamy

Page 2 Volume 7, Issue 3

Plant Profile: Skyflower (Hydrolea corymbosa) by Jeff Norcini

Named for the color designated “sky blue,” the moniker understates the bright, bold blue* of these flowers. No other Florida native wildflower can match the intensity of this summer bloomer. The flowers are about ¾-inch to an inch in diameter and are clustered near the top of the plant. Skyflower is only found in wet sites, and often shallow standing water. Because it can spread by underground stems (rhizomes), skyflower can occur in small colonies. And it’s to our benefit when these small colonies are in roadside ditches as the mass of bright blue flowers is easy to spot. Look for this 1- to 2-foot tall wildflower from Leon County, east, and all the way to South Florida, even though it has not been officially documented in every county in that range. I have seen it in Liberty County, two counties west of Leon County. The availability of skyflower plants is very limited, and seeds are not available.

*In wildflower books, true blue flowers may appear purplish, which is an effect of the camera. The camera may “see” more red than the human eye, so red mixed with blue becomes purple.

Family: Hydroleaceae (Acanthus family)

Hardiness: North, Central and South Florida (Zones 8–11)

Soil: Wet

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade

Growth habit: 1–2 feet tall

Garden tips: Grow in rain gardens and other sites that are consistently moist or wet, or periodically have standing water. While this species reportedly prefers slightly acid soil, its occurrence in roadside ditches suggests that it may tolerate neutral soils.

Visit our blog (floridawildflowerfoundation.blogspot.com) for more plant profiles.

Wildflower resolutions are blooming all over! by Eleanor Dietrich

During May, two counties in North Florida — Calhoun and Washington — along with a regional planning agency, all passed resolutions for more wildflowers along their state and county roadsides.

The metropolitan areas of Florida all have Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) that are for the purpose of coordinating transportation planning for these areas. In North Florida, the Capital Region Transportation Planning Agency (CRTPA) is the MPO for the Leon, Gadsden, Wakulla, and Jefferson counties area. Each of these counties has an existing wildflower resolution, and county commission members who passed these resolutions are also members of the CRTPA.

Commissioners Mary Ann Lindley and Doug Croley, from Leon and Gadsden counties respectively, attended a meeting in January, co-sponsored by the Florida Wildflower Foundation and the Magnolia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, for the purpose of introducing the new Wildflower Management Program procedures for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). They both immediately saw how this program also related to the vision statement of the CRTPA (which is to “create an integrated regional multimodal transportation network that provides the most options for moving people and goods economically, effectively and safely while protecting the environment, promoting economic development and maintaining a high quality of life with sustainable development patterns”) and began a process for adopting a regional wildflower resolution in support of their county members and FDOT for the conservation of native wildflowers

on the region’s roadways. On May 19, the CRTPA met and Commissioner

Lindley introduced the resolution, which then passed unanimously. In her subsequent comments regarding the resolution, she wrote:

“Our unique botanical area is becoming even more beautiful because of the wildflowers intentionally nurtured along public roads and highways by counties in North Florida.

These areas are drawing attention and appreciation from visitors entering Florida from the west and north and traveling throughout the state. But even road warriors who drive these areas routinely report noticing and very much liking the refreshing view of spring flowers as they commute.

Our CRTPA board is happy to salute Florida’s Department of Transportation that, through its Wildflower Management Program, is strongly encouraging native plant protection as a wise state-beautification boost as well as a very practical measure of reducing the costs of taxpayer financed roadside mowing and other maintenance.

The CRTPA’s resolution is meant to encourage other regions to experience the economic and aesthetic benefits already enjoyed by communities with wildflower programs literally blooming.”

Florida has over two dozen MPOs, and the CRTPA is the first to adopt a wildflower resolution. The agency has set a precedent and example for its sister organizations to do the same, which would be a strong source of support

for more wildflowers on the state roadsides. In Calhoun County, the director of the

Chamber of Commerce, Kristy Terry, shepherded the resolution through the approval process with the support of RiverWay South staff. Their wildflower resolution was passed unanimously on May 6 by the Calhoun County Commission during National Wildflower Week. Subsequent to the passage of the resolution, local wildflower enthusiasts Travis and Karen MacClendon, with support from the Florida Wildflower Foundation, are working to identify both state and county wildflower roads and to designate them with Joe Wood, head of the county Public Works Department, and Dustie Moss, FDOT District 3 Wildflower Coordinator.

In Washington County, both the Washington County Master Gardeners and the Chipley Garden Club led the way to getting a wildflower resolution passed, again with help from RiverWay South staff, garnering the support of other garden clubs and beekeepers, as well as Falling Waters State Park staff. The wildflower resolution was presented to the Washington County Commission on May 29 by Florida Wildflower Foundation staff and the FDOT District 3 Wildflower Coordinator. Rows of gardeners in bright-green flowered t-shirts had an impressive presence in the meeting room. Under the leadership of Washington County Commission Chairman Alan Bush, the resolution passed unanimously. Efforts are now under way to prioritize county and state roads to be designated as wildflower areas. Potential areas were previously identified by a field review with the FWF and FDOT staff and provided in a report to the local wildflower supporters.

Volume 7, Issue 3 Page 3

Gopher tortoises love wildflowers, too! By Claudia LarsenMany of us have had the pleasure of seeing

gopher tortoises (or at least their burrows) on nature walks. They live in every county in Florida, and although they are associated with dry sandhills, they may also be found in many diverse areas such as pine flatwoods, oak hammocks, scrub areas and coastal dunes. Open pastures and vacant lots can also be a refuge for them. Gopher tortoises prefer sunny open land with sandy soil that is also conducive to the growth of many of our Florida wildflowers. So it is no surprise that wildflowers make up a significant portion of their diet.

The Gopher Tortoise Council has compiled an extensive list of plants used by the tortoises for food sources, and reports that about one third of the adult diet consists of grasses such as bluestem (Andropogon spp.), witchgrass (Dicanthelium spp.), crowngrass (Paspalum spp.) and threeawn (Aristida spp.). Other favorites are silkgrass (Pityopsis spp.), milkpea vine (Galactia spp.), and leaves of pines and oaks that have dropped to the ground. Popular wildflower munchables include a number of plants in the aster, buckwheat and pea families, as well as twinflower (Dyschoriste spp.) and their all-time favorite, stinging nettles (Cnidoscolus stimulosus). (A link to the complete list of forage plant species can be found at the end of this article.)

Much of what we know about the gopher tortoise’s life cycle and daily habits has been compiled from years of observation by the Ashton Biodiversity Research and Preservation Institute in Newberry. The Institute was an early proponent of tortoise mitigation, which saved doomed populations from being bulldozed underground by developers. Director Pat Ashton tells of countless hours in which students, strapped high into pine trees, watched gopher tortoises, and recorded their every movement and everything they ate.

According to Pat, gopher tortoises enjoy a wide assortment of up to 200 plant species from 38 plant families, including the ripe fruits of pawpaw, persimmon and pricklypear cactus, and a variety of tender coastal succulents, as well. Although you may occasionally see gopher tortoises reaching toward the berries of a saw palmetto, they are actually trying to catch insects

flying around the fruit. Gopher tortoises are also native plant

gardeners! They create their own forage farms by excreting seeds on the fresh sand ledge

around the home burrow entrance created in the excavation process. Nearby plants germinate, contributing to their own backyard edible garden.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) assisted in getting the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) reclassified as a threatened species in 2007 when it became apparent that the populations were declining because of

human encroachment. With the help of notable researchers and environmentalists, FWC developed plans to manage current populations and protect them from destruction, such as when their holes are filled and tortoises are buried during construction processes. The technology of very small motion-sensor cameras inserted into their tunnels have documented more than 350 other small mammals, reptiles, amphibians and

insects that cohabitate underground, making the tortoise habitat even more important for broader conservation concerns.

Today the tortoises, their eggs and burrows are protected by law from damage, destruction or harassment. Permits must be obtained from FWC to handle or move these gentle animals before land clearing begins. There is also a phone and email hotline on the FWC

website to report violations (http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/gopher-tortoise/help/).

If you are interested in training programs for gopher tortoise relocation and management, you may contact Wildlands Conservation Inc. in Venice. (www.gophertortoisetraining.org) Classes include survey techniques; methods to mark, transport and release tortoises; and supervision of burrow excavations. They also provide education and research opportunities for students and researchers.

Urbanization has created many “islands” of fragmented gopher tortoise habitat across Florida. Your yard or nearby undeveloped property can be a safe haven for them, and living with them can be accomplished if you protect the burrows from dogs, avoid driving within 30 feet, and avoid mowing directly around the entrance. Do not fence the area – allow free access. Note:

There may be two entrances to the burrow. Some homeowners plant gopher tortoise-friendly grasses and wildflowers near their holes. (Don’t forget those stinging nettles!) They usually forage about 160 feet (sometimes more) from their home. Tortoises that lived in pastures near me have moved into my garden, and I often see them walking between the raised beds of vegetables en route to the wildflowers I have planted nearby. I notice they are quite adventurous browsers and will taste just about anything they walk by, but they do have favorite preferences and will pass by a skullcap for an elephant’s foot. I don’t mind sharing because they munch on leaves without pulling the plants out of the soil. One helpful visitor trimmed all of the frogfruit I had growing in pots. Unfortunately, my milkweeds were also delicious.

Resources:The Natural History and Management of Gopher Tortoise, by Ray E. Ashton, Krieger Publishing Co. http://gophertortoisetraining.org/contact.html

“A Guide to Living with Gopher Tortoises,” www.myfwc.com/media/1329739/GopherTortoise_LivingWithBrochure.pdf, www.MyFWC.com/GopherTortoise

“Gopher Tortoise Forage Plants,” Gopher Tortoise Council, http://www.gophertortoisecouncil.org/home/about-the-tortoise (scroll to bottom of page for PDF link)

insects that cohabitate underground, making the tortoise habitat even more important for broader conservation concerns.

their eggs and burrows are protected by law from damage, destruction or harassment. Permits must be obtained from FWC to handle or move these gentle animals before land clearing begins. There is also a phone and Burrow nestled among native grasses and wildflowers

Gopher tortoise facts • Lifespanis40-60years;breedingageis

between9and21years• BreedingperiodisMarchtoOctober;

tortoisestypicallyproduceoneclutchperyear,usuallywithsixeggs(althoughsomeeggsareeatenbyothercreaturessharingthehole)

• Burrowsaverage15-40feetlongand7feetdeep;theyareduginMayandJune

• Burrowentrancesarehalf-moonshapedandareapproximatelythesizeofthetortoise

• Averagehomerangeforamaleis4.7acres,and1.6acresforfemales;eachtortoisewillhavemultipleburrows

• GopheruspolyphemusistheonlyspeciesofGopherusremaininginthesoutheasternUnitedStates,outofthe23speciesdocumentedonthiscontinent

• Tortoisesneedproperlymanagedhabitatthatprovidesopensunnylandconducivetothegrowthoflowgrowingherbaceouswildflowers

(adaptedfromMYFWC’sgophertortoisewebpages,http://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/managed/gopher-tortoise/)

Jim McGinty erroneously accused landscapers of repeatedly mowing his students’ schoolyard wildflower

garden. This photo revealed the real culprit to be a hungry gopher tortoise.

Member profile: Chris WaltzThere’s a good chance that

if you’ve been to any Florida Wildflower Foundation events, you may have run into this member. Most recently, he could be found with 25 other wildflower enthusiasts at the Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area, soaking up some plant identification and lore on a walk led by author and FWF board member Dr. Walter K. Taylor.

FWF member Chris Waltz is known to many in native plant circles because of the supporting role he plays in conferences and other events. Here is what Chris has to say about his involvement with the Florida Wildflower Foundation:

How did you first get involved with the Florida Wildflower Foundation and why do you stay involved?It was about four or five years ago when I joined the Florida Native Plant Society, and went to my first FNPS Conference. I met Lisa Roberts and Jeff Norcini at the FWF booth, and we talked about native wildflowers. They gave me some handouts about native wildflowers as well as a membership form, and the rest is history. I stay

involved with FWF because I believe in the mission. Wildflowers (and native plants in general) give us here in Florida a sense of place and our great state name.

Tell us a little about your ongoing yard projects.I have a wide range of wildflowers in my yard, and I am always adding more. I have Gaillardia pulchella, Helianthus debilis, Salvia coccinea, Tradescantia ohiensis, Phyla nodiflora, three Solidago species,

Heliotropium angiospermum, Trichostema dichotomum, Ruellia caroliniensis, Rudbeckia hirta, Flaveria linearis, Mimosa strigillosa, Monarda punctata, Erigeron, Opuntia, just to name a few. I am currently working on finishing my front yard planting of a pine flatwoods. Then I want to work on a wildflower meadow in my back yard. I am all about less grass and more native plants and wildflowers.

What do you like most about native wild-flowers? Do you have a favorite wildflower?The thing I love most about wildflowers is that

they survive the harsh conditions of Florida, and reseed in the garden. I like the fact that a native wildflower garden never looks the same; it is always evolving and changing with every year. I don’t have a particular favorite, I just try to use as many as I can in my plantings.

What do you think is the greatest challenge facing Florida’s native wildflowers?Of course, I see development as being the worst challenge facing wildflowers these days, but I think it all starts with education — and exposure. Which is why I think it is great that FWF has grants for school plantings. These wonderful teaching gardens expose kids to the wonders of Florida’s native wildflowers. With this early exposure, it is more likely that these kids will grow up with a different mind-set, and will use native plants and wildflowers in their future plantings. It would be wonderful to one day see people using less marigolds, petunias and pansies from box stores and more of Florida’ s wildflowers.

Why should people care about wildflowers? Wildflowers play an important part in every type of ecosystem across the state. They provide a source of fuel for pollinators, which we depend on for food, and are a natural way to beautify our state, for which it is named (La Florida). I wish I could see what the state looked like in the 1500s.

Meet member Chris Waltz

Page 4 Volume 7, Issue 3

Wildflowers, Naturally! recognizes Roger Agness’ native gardenThe Wildflowers —

Naturally! program was launched earlier this year to recognize gardens throughout the state that have areas dedicated to native wildflowers, flowering shrubs and trees. One of the first to apply for recognition was Roger Agness of Orlando.

Roger’s yard is a work in progress, but he’s already covered more than 3000 square feet with native wildflowers and plants. It all started with two large patches of dirt in front of his house — one, the result of a neighbor accidentally crashing into his mailbox; the other, from a tree removed by the county. Instead of sod, he decided to fill the spots with wildflowers.

Roger has always been around gardens. His grandmothers and mother all had vegetable gardens. “I don’t like vegetables all that much,” noted Roger, “so I have a flower garden, full of Florida native plants.” He said he chose native plants because “they are from Florida, so they are used to our heat, rainfall and bugs, and don’t need to be sprayed, watered or coddled. Plus, they provide food and shelter for butterflies, hummingbirds and bees.”

Of his garden, Roger said, “It gets me outside, helps me connect with nature. It is kind of fun to get down and pull out the occasional weed. And

it’s nice because I never have to water it! Because they are Florida native plants, they are used to Florida’s rain/no-rain cycles.”

With the success of his initial plantings, Roger has increased his garden to include the 300-foot-long grassy strip between his sidewalk and the street. He now has more than 40 species of native wildflowers and plants growing in his yard. In addition, he has started a rain garden near his front porch, and is in the process of planting along the north side of his house, all the way from the sidewalk and “past the kitchen window... so I’ll have something to look at during breakfast.”

Aside from the aesthetics and the benefits to pollinators and wildlife, his garden has given

him personal insight: “My garden teaches me a lot, even about my own personal life and character. Some weeds may be big and showy or even scary, but they pull right up because they have little roots to hold them in. Some weeds need to be watched over and pulled out every few days in order to keep ahead of them, or they’ll take over. And some weeds are small and inconspicuous... until suddenly, the ground is covered with them. My life is like that, I need to watch the bad habits and get rid of them, and take care of the good habits.”

Roger says, “Best of all, it is nice that my Florida native plants are so prolific, because then I can give them away to my neighbors. In a short time, I will have spread flowers and happiness all over my subdivision.”

Are you growing native wildflowers in your yard or garden? If so, the Florida Wildflower Foundation wants to recognize your landscape.

Recognized landscapes help increase awareness of Florida native wildflowers, promote wildflower conservation across the state, and educate others about landscaping with Florida natives. For more information and to apply, visit www.FlaWildflowers.org/wildflowers_naturally.php.visit www.FlaWildflowers.org/wildflowers_

Volume 7, Issue 3 Page 5

Interesting Eryngiums By Claudia LarsenYou may know this group of plants as

“rattlesnakemasters.” Although not widely grown for landscape use, these perennial plants can be found across Florida in a variety of habitats. I love the diversity of these plants, as well as their interesting flowers that occur in summer and fall. They are always a little hard to describe because the heads are comprised of many tiny flowers, but their unique blooms, which may last for several months, are best captured in photos.

The Eryngium genus includes seven native Florida species, with one rare member, scrub Eryngium (Eryngium cuneifolium), found only in Highlands County. These plants are in the Apiaceae (or Umbelliferae, carrot and parsley) family, which makes them attractive to black swallowtail butterflies. They are mostly found in the southern United States, with the exceptions of E. aquaticum and E. yuccifolium, whose range extends to New Jersey. The name “rattlesnakemaster” is derived from stories that state the plant was effective in treating snakebites, but there is no scientific evidence of its efficacy.

Two rattlesnakemasters are found in wetter areas of north and central Florida. Both can be grown in home gardens that provide moist to wet soil. Eryngium aquaticum, as the name implies, is happy in pond and swamp habitats. It sports 6-8 inch linear leaves and a clumping 2-3 foot growth habit. It is also found in some roadside ditch areas that receive intermittent water. Large colonies provide a beautiful show of light blue, globose flowers that are attractive to butterflies

and bees in summer. This plant does well in a garden that is sunny and moist, but it cannot

take consistent water submersion.

Blueflower eryngo (E. integrifolium) is one of the showiest members of this family, with its numerous blue to violet flower stalks. It is easy to grow in pots, but may need extra watering. It can also grow directly in shallow water, or potted and submerged like blue flag iris or canna lily, making it useful for

garden ponds where small plants are preferred. One drawback is that deer also think they are delicious with their large, oblong-lanceleaf succulent leaves.

There are several rattlesnakemasters that you might overlook because of their prostrate, ground-hugging habit. These have fine leaves and tiny blue flowers that appear in the leaf axils. These dainty plants grow where open areas allow the plant to spread horizontally. Baldwin’s eryngo (E. baldwinii) accepts drier soil conditions, while creeping eryngo (E. prostratum) likes wetter pond and lake margins.

Fragrant eryngo (E. aromaticum) sounds lovely, but I cannot report on its actual smell, which is from the stiff, clefted

leaves. Although reported as common, it is rarely found in gardens and nurseries because the plant is small and a bit floppy. It blooms in the fall in the drier scrub and sandhills of North and Central Florida.

Another common species is button rattlesnakemaster (E. yuccifolium), which is a summer bloomer and occurs throughout Florida. Eryngium yuccifolium is a charming plant. Its basal leaves remind me of a small yucca with sharp-looking needles on the leaf margins that are actually quite soft and harmless. In summer, three to four 15- to 30-inch stem spikes support spiny-looking white, round flower heads with silver lower bracts — the whole plants looks otherworldly, but is eagerly visited by small bees. The Xerces Society lists it as having special value for native bees and as an attractor of predatory or parasitoid insects that prey on pest insects.

I try to plant them in groups of five or six to increase their visibility. They grow naturally throughout the state and prefer moderate soil moisture and light. A mature plant can reach 2-3 feet wide and tall. Wildflower author Dr. Walter Taylor states the Timucuan and Creek Indians used the roots for neuralgia and the leaves for dysentery. Some homeopathic references indicate this plant was used for treating urinary problems, but caution is always advised when using wild plant remedies.

I hope you will agree that Eryngos, as a group, hold an out-of-the-ordinary place in our

inventory of Florida wildflowers. Keep a lookout for them in a park or wild area near you!

Eryngium aquaticum (Photo/Claudia Larsen)

Eryngium yuccifolium (Photo/Claudia Larsen)

(Summer, continued from page 1)

When you are out and about, enjoying the summer beauty that Mother Nature has blessed us with, please don’t pick wildflowers. If you want to preserve the memory of a wildflower, take a picture — it will last longer. Many of our native wildflowers reproduce only by seed. Picking a flower reduces the ability of that plant to reproduce and for that population of wildflowers to sustain itself. If you want to pick wildflowers, plant some in your yard or in containers on your patio or porch. Wildflower seed packets are available in the Foundation’s shop (www.flawildflowers.org/shop.php), or from the Florida Wildflower Seed and Plant Growers Association (www.floridawildflowers.com/categories/Seed-Packets/). Seed packets of Florida native wildflowers also may be available at garden centers specializing in Florida native plants. To find a native garden center near you, visit the Florida Association of Native Nurseries’ web site at PlantRealFlorida.org.

Take Action: Contact your county maintenance

yard supervisor to ask that wildflowers in specific locations be spared. On state and U.S. highways, contact your Florida Department of Transportation District Wildflower Coordinator. To find your District Wildflower Coordinator, go to www.dot.state.fl.us/statemaintenanceoffice/DWCsContactList_03-31-14.pdf.

Blue sage (Salvia azurea) (Photo/Katherine Edison)

Calendar

Sept 19–20: Florida Wildflower Symposium, Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales. Information: www.FlaWildflowers.org

Oct 3–5: Wings & Wildflowers Festival, Venetian Gardens, Leesburg. Information: www.wingsandwildflowers.com

Oct 18: Backyard Biodioversity Day, Mead Botanical Garden, Winter Park. Information: tarflower.fnpschapters.org

Visit FlaWildflowers.org/news.php for full calendar and event details.

Thanks to a grant received from VISIT FLORIDA, one of the Florida Wildflower Foundation’s most popular brochures, Native Wildflowers in Florida’s Eastern Florida, is now easily accessible using smartphones and tablets.

Like the paper brochure, the mobile site features the five-county wildflower viewing route, which includes sites along the Big Bend Scenic Byway, in state and national parks, and near towns and communities in Liberty, Gadsden, Wakulla, Franklin and Leon counties.

Users can identify common wildflowers by

sorting the gallery of 44 photos by bloom color or season. They also will be able to upload their own photos by using the site’s “What’s Blooming” feature. When GPS information is enabled or added, submitted photos appear as a pin on the map. When a user clicks on the pin, the photo opens with its description and location.

The site also provides links to attractions and other resources, such as the Nature Viewing App developed by the

Florida Museum of Natural History and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission with support from the Florida Wildflower Foundation.

Page 6

WILDFLOWERS, naturally!Celebrating Florida’s

First FlowersDo you love native Florida wildflowers?

Do you have them in your yard or garden? If so, the Florida Wildflower Foundation wants to recognize your landscape.

Our new Wildflowers, Naturally! program will recognize gardens throughout the state that have areas dedicated to native wildflowers, and flowering shrubs, grasses and vines.

Recognized landscapes help increase awareness of Florida native wildflowers, promote wildflower conservation across the state, and educate others about landscaping with Florida natives.

For more information and to apply, visit www.flawildflowers.org/wildflowers_naturally.php.

landscaping with

flawildflowers.org/flawildflowers.org/wildflowers_naturally.wildflowers_naturally.

Panhandle wildflower brochure migrates to the web

Join a movement that’s growing like wildflowers!

Your name (please print)

Address

City State Zip Code

Area code and phone number

Email

q New Member q Renewing MemberCheck one: __ Student/Senior, $15 __ Contributor/Business $100 __ General, $25 __ Sustaining, $250 __ License tag: I’m a State Wildflower license tag holder, which entitles me to a free membership (specify Tag No. and Expiration date)

Please make check payable to Florida Wildflower Foundation Inc.Send to:Florida Wildflower Foundation225 S. Swoope Ave., Suite 110Maitland, FL 32751

or visit www.FlaWildflowers.org/membership.php

Show your Flower Power — get the plate!

Help preserve and conserve Florida’s native wildflowers and grasses by joining hundreds of other members who have raised $3 million for wildflowers over the past decade. Your membership and donations help plant highways, fund community and school plantings, create educational materials, support important research projects, and much more!

Become a Florida Wildflower Foundation member today to help ensure La Florida, or “land of flowers,” stays true to its name. Use the convenience of PayPal to join online at www.FlaWildflowers.org/membership.php, or mail this coupon with your check to the address below. Membership is free if you have a State Wildflower license plate.

Welcome members (r) – renewal

GeneralAnn Bassett-Hite (r) Billy Boothe

Janet Bowers Terry CarpenterSondra Driscoll Alan Franck (r)

Mary Ellen Frazier (r)Suellen Granberry-Hager

Rita Grant (r) Mark Hutchinson (r)Marylou Klein (r) Aja Lake

Daniel McCormic (r) Ann Renzulli LakeAnne Ruby Laina Shockley

Keith Snyder (r) Susan Sulouff

License TagViolet Calliope (r) Kay Cleary (r)

Mary Derrick Judy Gersony (r)Barry Glenn Joan Jones (r)

Jo Anne Kani-Miller (r) Joan KramerMarlene Lindsay (r) Jackie Rolly (r)

Patrice Yantz (r)

Student/SeniorSilvio Crespo (r) Rhea Diamantis (r)

Mary Anne Freyer (r)Kerry Gunn Elizabeth Hale (r)

Elizabeth Keeler Francis Mays

Volume 7, Issue 3