Monthly Meeting & Program
Dr. Taylor Returns to Hernando to Demystify Florida's Grasses

Walter Kingsley Taylor, Author, Professor Emeritus.
Monday November 9, 2009 – Second Monday!

Even the most savvy botanist or gardener will tell you that identifying grasses is challenging. This program brings the return of one of our favorite Florida botanists with an expert overview of Florida's grass species. Dr. Walter Kingley Taylor is author of two essential field guides, "The Guide to Florida Wildflowers" and "Florida Wildflowers in Their Natural Communities," and now adds "A Guide to Florida Grasses" to the must-have library of native plant enthusiasts.

His program will address the importance of grasses, how to distinguish grasses from rushes and sedges, basic grass structure and the tribes of grasses in Florida with illustrations from the tribes.

Taylor has remained in the field after retiring in 2004 from the University of Central Florida in Orlando after 35 years of teaching and research. Professor Taylor served as Associate Chair of the Department of Biology and taught classes in biodiversity, Florida wildflowers, Florida natural history, ornithology, zoogeography, and invertebrate zoology. He was named Professor Emeritus of Biology at UCF in 2004.

Monthly meetings and programs of the Hernando Chapter are held on the first Monday of the month, except November and when holidays occur. They are open to the public, free of charge. We will meet at the Hernando County Cooperative Extension Office – 19490 Oliver Street (next to the County Fairgrounds) in Brooksville. We gather for delicious food and fellowship at 6:30pm, meeting and program starts at 7:00pm. For more information about this program or the Florida Native Plant Society, contact the Hernando Chapter Board at hcfnps@gmail.com.

Hernando Chapter brings Native Plants to Chinsegut Reptile and Amphibian Festival

Although sales were somewhat slow, we had a great time with our friends, talked allot about native plants, and got to use our new Chapter tent! At our booth, from left, Cindy Liberton, Jason LaRoche, Bruce Vanderveen, Brooke Martin, Jim Clayton and Rita Grant. Thanks to all of you for representing us so well.

Get Outside Day at Starkey Wilderness Preserve – Nov 7

With the release of their new recreation guide, SWFWMD is encouraging the public to take advantage of the recreation opportunities available on District lands. As part of the campaign, the District is also hosting community events to showcase District lands.

The first is "Get Outside Day" at Starkey Wilderness Preserve- Serenova Tract, Nov 7 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.  This event features guided hikes and scavenger hunts. The Nature Coast Chapter will have an information booth with free literature and will raffle off some native plants and Florida Native Wildflower Seeds.

For info on the Preserve go to the website. The Serenova Tract is located just one mile west of the Suncoast Parkway on S.R. 52 (gate on south side of the road at Hayes Rd. light). The next event will be at the Green Swamp Wilderness Preserve’s Hampton Tract in Polk County on Feb. 27, 2010; and Deep Creek in DeSoto County on April 10, 2010.

Holding the Line on Lygodium in Hernando

Hernando County is at the north edge of the range for some plant species, and at the south edge for others. This is what gives us rich biodiversity, and keeps us relatively free from many exotic plant invaders from the south, such as Malealuca. Time will only tell, however, if Hernando will be home to a spreading menace working its way up from the Glades, Lygodium microphyllum, Old World Climbing Fern.

"Lygodium is a much bigger problem than any other exotic plant." said Charles Lykes, Lykes Bros., Inc., who has seen its effects on their properties in south Florida. "It is out of our control, and we haven't seen the worst yet."

Fortunately, hope may come from a new strategy. Under the leadership of The Nature Conservancy, a partnership of organizations and private land owners are working "across the fencelines" to create a Lygodium-free zone to the south of us to determine if the march can be stopped. Through a combination of research, herbicide, education and vigilance, they are mapping the north edge and pushing back.

And we are on the front lines, in fact, we are in the 2009 Priority Zone for the Central Florida Lygoidum Strategy. Hernando has many stray populations of Old World's less aggressive cousin, Japanese climbing fern (Lygodium Japonica). However, the northern-most sighting of microphyllum is documented directly south of Ridge Manor on the Pasco-Sumter county line. Both ferns reproduce through wind-blown spores, and trouble is in the air for our county.

Old World Climbing Fern, Lygodium microphyllum is spreading north on the ground and in the air. It has not yet reached Hernando County, but has been found nearby.
The leaflets of Japanese Climbing Fern, Lygodium Japonica come from a central stem, unlike its cousin. Japonica occurs all too frequently in Hernando County and should be eliminated where found.

At the core of this effort is citizen action; Florida's citizens can report outbreaks and take measures to eliminate them. Early and repeated treatment is necessary to control Lygodium, and The Nature Conservancy's partnership is offering help in identifying the plant, will send professional contractors to treat it, and show you how to control further outbreaks.

It is clearly critical that any infestation of Old World Climbing Fern be detected and reported. It is currently unknown whether our colder winter temperatures will affect the spread; they have little effect on the Japanese variety. It is time to learn to spot Lygodium, determine the species, and take action.

If you'd like to assist with the Central Florida Lygoidum Strategy, there are educational materials available at the website. We all can help make Hernando a Lygodium-free zone.