Cruickshank Sanctuary, November 11, 2010

On this visit I discovered that a new trail has been established. It begins at a small bridge that has been placed across the ditch off to the left just as you enter the sanctuary. The trail continues through some dry, sandy habitat that is similar to what is found in some places along the Lake Wales Ridge in the center of the state. The trail also goes by a low, wet area, perhaps a borrow-pit at one time.

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New Bridge

This view is from the west side of the bridge. The park entrance is across the ditch and to the right.

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Carolina redroot (Lachnanthes caroliana, Haemodoraceae)

Native

Scattered throughout the low, wet area to the left of the new trail were tall, black stalks with black heads. Turns out it was redroot that had gone to seed. It looked like a wildfire had swept through and burnt only the redroot plants.

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 Shrubby primrosewillow (Ludwigia suffruticosa, Onagraceae)

Native

This makes 4 Ludwigia species found in the Cruickshank Sanctuary. The other three are Wingleaf, Mexican, and Peruvian. (I don't have a photo of Peruvian primrosewillow here, but I believe it is in this park.)

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Falsefennel (Eupatorium leptophyllum, Asteraceae)

Native

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 Slender flattop goldenrod (Euthamia caroliniana, Asteraceae)

Native

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Feay's palafox (Palafoxia feayi, Asteraceae)

Native, Florida endemic

On my earlier visits, I had seen only a few Feay's palafox; however, this new trail goes through an area where there are dozens of them.

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Tall jointweed (Polygonella gracilis, Polygonaceae)

Native

In the top two photos, the thin, leafless stalks are tall jointweed. I believe this is the same plant I found at several places in the Lake Wales Ridge area.

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Sand spike-moss (Selaginella arenicola, Selaginellaceae)

Native

Another plant that is found in the Lake Wales Ridge area.

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Lichen

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Pricklypear cactus (Opuntia humifusa, Cactaceae)

Native

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Common persimmon (Diospyros virginiana, Ebenaceae)

Native

I believe I have correctly identified this small tree. The leaves are drooping and covered in black spots, which are characteristics of wild persimmon. I'll have to return in the spring to see if it still looks like a persimmon.

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Earleaf greenbrier (Smilax auriculata, Smilacaceae)

Native

Looks like a bunch of grapes, but it's smilax fruit.

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 Atlantic St.John's-wort (Hypericum tenuifolium, Clusiaceae)

Native

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Narrowleaf blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Iridaceae)

Native

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Halloween Penant Dragonfly

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Mexican primrosewillow (Ludwigia octovalvis, Onagraceae)

Native

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Seaside primrosewillow (Ludwigia maritima, Onagraceae)

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