Port Canaveral, Marsh Gentian, May 25, 2012

We found a large patch of marsh gentian on the west side of the entrance to the lock. They were much taller than any I had ever seen before. This may have been because they were surrounded by tall ragweed and other weeds.

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Marsh gentian; catchfly prairie-gentian; seaside gentian (Eustoma exaltatum, Gentianaceae)

Native

This was the largest group of marsh gentians I had ever seen. They can usually be found in small numbers along Blackpoint Drive in the Merritt Island NWR. The ones there are only a foot, or so, tall.

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Unidentified

Also in the lock area was this low-growing plant. Perhaps the low growth was the result of repeated mowing. There were a large number of the plants, mostly along the edge of the roadway to the lock and along the chainlink fence, but also scattered about the grassy areas. The thread-like leaves should help identify it; however, I could not find a match in any of my wildflower guides.

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