Rosemallows, July 2011

On July 10, 13, and 19, my wife and I visited several areas looking for fields of rosemallows at their peak blooming.

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Swamp rosemallow (Hibiscus grandiflorus, Malvaceae)
Native

The top photo shows masses of swamp rosemallow in bloom along the east side of I-95 a few miles south of SR 520. The other photos were taken along farm roads on the west side of I-95, near Lone Cabbage Fish Camp on the St. Johns River, and in the Tosohatchee WMA. A PhotoShop "artistic effect" was applied to the bottom photo.

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Scarlet rosemallow (Hibiscus coccineus, Malvaceae)
Native

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Fauna

Along one of the farm roads west of I-95, near SR 520, a doe with her fawn cautiously crossed the road while being watched by a cattle egret, a large grasshopper landed on our windshield, and a pair of red-shouldered hawks perched nearby.

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St. Johns River Scenes

New boardwalk at the boat ramp on St. Johns River, across SR 520 from the Lone Cabbage Fish Camp; an airboat zipping past; and cows standing in the river (a hazard for airboats rounding blind curves in the river).

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Southern amaranth (Amaranthus australis, Amaranthaceae)
Native

Near St. Johns River boat ramp. These robust plants are very tall, sometimes over 10 ft.

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Alligatorweed (Alternanthera philoxeroides, Amaranthaceae)
Not native

Near boardwalk at St. Johns River boat ramp.

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Unidentified

Near boardwalk at St. Johns River boat ramp. 

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Spatterdock; yellow pondlily (Nuphar advena, Nymphaeaceae)
Native

Near boardwalk at St. Johns River boat ramp.

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Virginia saltmarsh mallow (Kosteletzkya pentacarpos, Malvaceae)
Native

 Blossoms resemble swamp rosemallow, but are much smaller. Near boardwalk at St. Johns River boat ramp.

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Winged loosestrife (Lythrum alatum var. lanceolatum, Lythraceae)
Native

Tosohatchee WMA, along Power Line Road.

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Wild turkeys

We saw several wild turkeys in the Tosohatchee WMA along Power Line Road. As I walked along the road I flushed a half-dozen, or so, turkeys. Several of them took to the air. I was surprised at how well and how high they could fly. One flew up and over the tree tops.

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