Wickham Park, July 2 & 4, 2012

This was primarily a visit to get a good photograph of a loblolly bay blossom. Some of the users of this blog may not be aware that I submit a monthly wildflower photo and brief description to the free local newspaper, "Senior Life." (You can view the newspaper online; the wildflower I selected for June was pale meadowbeauty, at the top of page 23 of the June issue). I usually try to submit a flower that is blooming in that month. The July flower is swamp rosemallow, currently blooming in the St. Johns River marshes. I plan to submit loblolly bay for August.

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Loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus, Theaceae)

Native

Look for one of these close-up photos in the August issue of SeniorLife. Loblolly bay can be seen in Wickham Park on the north edge of the north disc golf course. Loblolly bay is common on swamp margins along SR 528. Look for medium-height trees with large, white flowers amongst dark-green, glossy leaves.

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Florida false sunflower (Phoebanthus grandiflorus, Asteraceae)
Native, Florida endemic

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Rough hedgehyssop (Gratiola hispida, Veronicaceae)

Native

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Fringed yellow stargrass (Hypoxis juncea, Hypoxidaceae)

Native

Yellow stargrass was widespread in the mowed areas of the park.

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Coastalplain milkwort (Polygala setacea, Polygalaceae)
Native

Stumbled upon a wildflower I had never seen before, Polygala setacea. The plants resemble a wiry grass and are easily overlooked. More than 2 dozen were growing in an area about 6 x 6 ft. I didn't find any outside this area. The flower heads are small and pointed, located at the tip of slender stalks. Leaves are tiny and scalelike.

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 Pineland pinweed (Lechea sessiliflora, Cistaceae)

Native

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Unidentified grass

A common, fuzzy-headed grass.

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Unidentified grass

The reddish spots of color caught my eye.

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