Erna Nixon Park, February 9, 2011

This visit to Erna Nixon Park, Melbourne, is divided into four parts: Jack-in-the-Pulpits, Springtime Trees, Ferns, and Odds & Ends.

The main objective of the visit was to search for jack-in-the-pulpit, which was suspected of being up and blooming by now. Only one small patch was found, close to the boardwalk, and containing about a dozen plants, about half of which were in their "pulpit" stage.

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Part 1: Jack-in-the-Pulpit

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Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum, Araceae)

Native

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Part 2: Springtime Trees

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Following are several photos of our native red maple (Acer rubrum, Sapindaceae).

Red maple blossoms

Red maple samaras (winged seeds)

 Close-up of samaras

 Samaras of a different color

 Most trees had dangling, bright-red samaras; however, one had samaras that were greenish-pink. I don't know if this was a different species of maple  or just a natural variation of red maple. (Per the online USF/ISB Plant Atlas, red maple is the only maple found in Brevard Co.)

 Emerging leaves of red maple

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 Following are photos of our native coastalplain willow (Salix caroliniana, Salicaceae). Willows are dioecious with male and female flowers appearing as catkins on different plants.

 Coastalplain willow, male catkins

Close-up of male catkin

Female catkins

Close-up of female catkin

Bee getting nectar from a male catikin

Both male and female catkins produce nectar, which attracts various pollinating insects. Willows are also wind pollinated.

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 American elm (Ulmus americana, Ulmaceae)
Native

Elm seeds, shown here, are also known as samaras. Elm samaras are oval, flattened, about 0.5 in. long, and enclosed in a papery case notched at the end.

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Dahoon holly (Ilex cassine, Aquifoliaceae)

Native

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Part 3: Ferns
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Wild Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Native

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Swamp fern (Blechnum serrulatum)

Native

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Golden polypody (Phlebodium aureum)

Native

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Shoestring fern (Vittaria lineata)

Native

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Strap fern (Blechnum serrulatum)

Native

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Resurrection fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides var. michauxiana)

Native

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Part 4: Odds & Ends

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Trail Scenes

At the start of the nature trail, abandoned bat house, Vista 1, and view of the elevated boardwalk.

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Wild coffee (Psychotria nervosa, Rubiaceae)
Native

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 Red-blanket lichen (Chidecton sanguieneum)
Native

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Sawgrass (Cladium jamaicensis, Cyperaceae)
Native

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Ball moss (Tillandsia recurvata, Bromeliaceae)
Native

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Southern needleleaf (Tillandsia setacea, Bromeliaceae)
Native

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 Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides, Bromeliaceae)
Native

...with wild oranges

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Leafless swallowwort (Cynanchum scoparium, Apocynaceae)

Native

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