Scrub Ridge Trail, November 25, 2012

The wildflowers shown here were found near the entrance to the Scrub Ridge Trail from SR 3, Merritt Island NWR.

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Juba's bush (Iresine diffusa, Amaranthaceae)

Native

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Simmonds' aster (Symphyotrichum simmondsii, Asteraceae)
Native

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Muck sunflower (Helianthus simulans, Asteraceae)

Not native

This sunflower is primarily distinguished from its close relative, swamp sunflower (H. angustifolius),  by the width of its leaves. According to Flora of North America (eFlora.org), H. angustifolius is 50-150 cm tall; leaves are 8-15 cm long and 0.15-0.5(-1) cm wide. H. simulans is 150-260 cm tall; leaves are 9-22 cm long and 0.7-4 cm wide.

The leaves shown here are about 11 cm long and 1.5 cm wide, thus identifying them as H. simulans.

Both species have leaves with margins rolled under; however, because of the very narrow width of leaves in H. angustifolius, the rolled margins nearly obscure the underside of the leaves.

See Muck Sunflowers, October 7, 2012, this blog.

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Cruickshank Sanctuary, November 21, 2012

A few early winter finds.

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Groundsel tree; saltbush (Baccharis halimifolia, Asteraceae)

Native

The seeds have all flown away...

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Narrowleaf blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium angustifolium, Iridaceae)

Native

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Tall jointweed (Polygonella gracilis, Polygonaceae)
Native

A tentative identification.

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Feay's palafox (Palafoxia feayi, Asteraceae)
Native, Florida endemic

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Unidentified pea

These unidentified pea pods split into two spiral shells.

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