This short visit resulted in a number of photos of galls and members of the pea family. I found galls on rusty staggerbush (
Lyonia ferruginea) and goldenrod (probably
Solidago odora var
. chapmanii).
________________________________________
Rusty staggerbush galls
Various online resources say that these galls are caused by a fungus (a variant or subspecies of Exobasidium vaccinii). The galls form on leaves. In some cases they replace the leaf; in other cases, only a portion of the leaf is affected. As the galls age they turn brown and harden.
________________________________________
Goldenrod galls
These galls were on a single goldenrod plant. Online resources show various types of galls that form on the stems of goldenrods; however, I was not able to find any goldenrod galls that looked like these. These galls appeared to be formed from leaves and were on stems. I opened one of the galls to reveal several larva inside.
________________________________________
Rusty staggerbush (Lyonia ferruginea, Ericaceae)
Native
________________________________________
Turkey oak (Quercus laevis, Fagaceae)
Native
________________________________________
American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana, Lamiaceae)
Native
________________________________________
Florida scrub roseling (Callisia ornata, Commelinaceae)
Native, endemic
________________________________________
Blazing star, Chapman's gayfeather (
Liatris chapmanii, Asteraceae)
Native
This plant had a shape I had never seen before: a single stem came out of the ground and then at a node about 6 inches above the ground split into 14 new stems.
________________________________________
Partridge pea (
Chamaecrista fasciculata, Fabaceae)
Native
This is the first of six members of the pea family that I photographed on this visit.
________________________________________
Hairy lespedeza (Lespedeza hirta, Fabaceae)
Native
________________________________________
Dixie ticktrefoil (
Desmodium tortuosum, Fabaceae)
Not native
This plant was on the east edge of the parking lot. It's new to this blog and new to me.
________________________________________
Lanceleaf rattlebox (
Crotalaria lanceolata, Fabaceae)
Not native
This small plant was near the beginning of the nature trail. It's new to this blog and new to me.
________________________________________
Smooth rattlebox (
Crotalaria pallida var.
obovata, Fabaceae)
Not native
This species has tri-foliate leaves. (Roger Hammer informed me of the correct identification of this specimen, Apr 12, 2014. Previously, I had labeled it Crotalaria spectabilis.)
________________________________________
Powderpuff (
Mimosa strigillosa, Fabaceae)
Native
These plants were located on the east edge of the parking lot.
________________________________________
Shed skin of a cicada