What's in Bloom
March 2010
Florida's Plums
Right now, when you see a burst of white blooms in the understory or roadside, it is likely to be our native Flatwoods plum, Prunus umbellata. A native of the woods of the southeastern United States, Flatwoods Plum is a round-topped, deciduous tree, reaching 20 feet in height with a 15-foot spread, that is most often planted for its spectacular display of blooms.
In late February, before the two-inch-long, finely serrate leaves appear, these small trees take on a white, billowy, almost cloud-like appearance when they are clothed in the profuse, small, white flower clusters. These half-inch blooms are followed by one-inch-long, edible, purple fruits which vary in flavor from very tart to sweet. These plums are very attractive to various forms of wildlife.
This species does well as a median plant, by patio, or as a specimen in the landscaping. When you see a native plum in a plant sale, however, it is probably its cousin, Chickasaw Plum (Prunus angustifolia), which is more often cultivated due to its ease of propagation (compared with the Flatwoods), multi-stemmed habit and more palitable fruit.
Don't miss the annual show in our Hernando Woods. A drive through the uplands will have you stopping the car with hand lens in hand to enjoy the beauty of these spring blooms.
Miss last month's news? You can scan history from our archives.
Upcoming Programs
March – Mushrooms
April – Wildflower
May – Sea Level Rise
June - Sandhills
July – Garden Party
Sabal minor E-news
Are you getting your Sabal minor on-line? If not, the Society may not have your correct e-mail address. Please send it to info@fnps.org to keep up with all the FNPS organizational news. You can also get the Sabal minor on-line, in pdf and expanded web page format.
Give a gift that keeps on giving by purchasing a FNPS gift membership for only $25.00. For a membership form, visit http://www.fnps.org
Shop for Native Plants when you Shop On-line
Many of us shop on-line. It's easy, fast, and our good are delivered right to our home. Gifts go to the door. Now you can send some bucks to FNPS each time you order those flowers or binoculars or beauty supplies. GoodShop gives a percentage of each sale to the charity of your choice. You can easily select Florida Native Plant Society, and find almost every merchant you'd normally visit. It costs you nothing, and helps to expand our efforts on behalf of Florida's native plants. Click here and bookmark it!
Monthly Meeting & Program
Mushrooms in Our Midst
Brian Akers, Ph.D., Biologist, Researcher and Author
Monday March 1, 2010
American Legion Hall, Brooksville
Mushrooms pop up all over the sunshine state, and like our plant species, have interconnections that put the right 'shroom in the right place.
Mushrooms are neither plant nor animal, but their kingdom fills a critical niche in our ecosystems, as well as an important role in human history. This program will look at the basic nature of fungi, and their place in food and folklore. Depending on variety, mushrooms are a meal, medicine or poison. Our speaker, an expert on Florida's mushrooms, will reveal features of fungi anatomy critical to identification in the field.
Brian Akers is a biologist specializing in fungi, with degrees in anthropology and comparative religion. He first studied mycology at the Univ. of Florida, receiving his PHD in 1997 from the Plant Biology Dept. at Southern Illinois University. Dr. Aker's research has focused on fungi of Florida, plus ethnomycology, the study of fungi in human affairs across cultures. His published work includes the book "The Sacred Mushrooms of Mexico."
Knowing how to identify mushrooms is a definite prerequisite to considering their edibility. Never never injest a mushroom unless you are expert on the edibles.
Because of their large size, bright colors, and ephemeral nature, mushrooms have long been a fascination to mankind. Earlier cultures learned through trial and error that some were toxic, others edible, and yet others had supernatural mystic qualities. During the Middle Ages, people learned to cultivate the edible species. Yet, a limited number would lend themselves to cultivation.
Most of the choice edible species could only be found in the wild and many ethnic groups became avid collectors of wild mushrooms for food. This hobby followed many to North America and throughout our country. This is a popular pastime in Florida with its many retirees. Unfortunately, there are many cases of misidentification, resulting in mushroom poisoning, or a toddler finding mushrooms on the lawn and deciding they would like to munch on them. These individuals often find themselves in the doctors office or, in severe cases, in the emergency ward of their local hospital.
A Day at Cypress Lakes
by Bruce Vanderveen
Inspired by HCFNPS's January speaker Jim King (Jim is Hernando County Environmentally Sensitive Land [ESL] Manager) Bruce and Linda Vanderveen decided to check out ESL's Cypress Lakes Preserve near Ridge Manor on the afternoon of Wednesday, February 10, 2010. Cypress Lakes Preserve consists of 330 acres of mesic hammock, cypress swamp, fresh water marshes, and scattered upland areas of sand hill and scrub.
Read the charming story of their day at Cypress Lake at the hcfnps blog. As Bruce says, "The preserve is an attractive resource, available free to all. So by all means, if you have good weather and the time, come out to this piece of "Wild" Florida right here in Hernando County."
Hernando members Annie Schmidt, Cindy Liberton, Gene Kelly, Brooke Martin and Miki Renner, pictured here with Karina Veaudry, Executive Director, FNPS, bring out of town visitors to dine at one of our favorite spots.
Hernando Hospility for the FNPS Board
On February 6, the full Board of Directors from the Florida Native Plant Society met for the weekend at the Foresty Training Center north of Chinsegut Nature Center in Hernando. Chapter Representatives came from as far as Miami and Pensacola for the meeting and were greeted the night before by Hernando Chapter members for a festive dinner party at Mykannos II in Brooksville. The Board was treated to a tour of Croom Red-Cockaded Woodpecker territory by Hernando Chapter member Vince Morris on Sunday morning.
Hernando Chapter lends Expert Advice to the Good Neighbor Trial
The Good Neighbor Trail will offer our citizens a convenient place to get outside. Our hope is to eventually make room for a more native landscape by removing the large variety of exotic plant species.
The Hernando Chapter has been involved with the GNT since the early planning stages and it is materializing as an impressive amenity for the area and the County.
On a blustery day in February, Eugene Kelly, Vince Morris, Brooke Martin and other volunteers spent the morning updating the survey of the invasive exotic species prevalent at the Russell Street Park trailhead. As the trail continues to develop, it is our hope that the county's resources will include removal of invasive species and restoring the landscape to one that features more of the native plant wealth of our county.
Join us in May 2010 for the FNPS 30th Anniversary!
Rooted in History, Forever Blooming
May 20-23, 2010
Tallahassee, Florida
Join us in Tallahassee, a city rich in natural and cultural history, as the Magnolia Chapter hosts the 2010 Annual Conference. This will be a special 30th anniversary conference that honors our Florida Native Plant Society history and celebrates the plants, people and places of Tallahassee and the Big Bend Region. Over 400 people are expected to attend the 4-day conference.
PLANTS
There will be an enjoyable variety of field trips, tours and workshops to choose from on Thursday and Sunday. Discover the unique native plants of upland glades, ravines, karst, savanna and other plant communities on field trips led by expert local guides and in workshops on plant Identification, plant propagation and maintenance. Attend presentations on the latest in native plant science, landscaping and other topics.
PEOPLE
Friday and Saturday enjoy keynote speakers and educational sessions at the Leon County Civic Center. Featured keynotes are Dr. Betty Smocovitis, internationally-known botanical historian from UF; Landscape Architect Darryl Morrison, who will showcase uses of fire and other natural processes in nationally recognized native plant designs; and June Bailey White, writer and National Public Radio commentator from southern Georgia, who will read new stories with accompanying photos by Gil Nelson.
Get reacquainted with Bill Partington and the people who started the first gathering of native plant enthusiasts in 1980. Meet folks from Florida and other southeastern states who share a common vision of native plant protection
PLACES AND EVENTS
Experience special places, including the 22nd floor of the Florida Capitol, with its fantastic 360° views, Goodwood Plantation and Tall Timbers Research Station. Enjoy the annual FNPS Landscape Awards, silent auction, FNPS Jeopardy, and musical entertainment by local bands The Weeds’ and the ‘Mayhaws.’ Famous local authors will be on hand for book signings. Native Nurseries of Tallahassee will also be celebrating a 30 year anniversary with a reception and open house on Sunday. Special programs are being planned for youth as well.
The Conference Hotel is the DoubleTree Hotel, 101 South Adams Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301. Reservations are being accepted at 850-224-5000. For more conference details see http://www.fnps.org/pages/conference/
