Merritt Island NWR, June 30, 2013

Flowers and shrubs (and a beetle and a butterfly) photographed along Black Point Drive in the MINWR.

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Saltwater falsewillow (Baccharis angustifolia, Asteraceae)

Native

Superficially appears like an evergreen, similar to cedar. Abundant along edges of Black Point Drive.

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Southern beeblossom (Gaura angustifolia, Onagraceae)

Native

This is the first time I've noticed and photographed the seed capsules of Gaura.

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 Bushy seaside oxeye (Borrichia frutescens, Asteraceae)

Native

The beetle appears to be a species of blister beetle, or perhaps false blister beetle.

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American bluehearts (Buchnera americana, Orobanchaceae)

Native

It's difficult to get a faithful blue color in photos of this species. In the original photo, the flowers appeared pink. I adjusted the hue to get more of a blue color.

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Twinevine (Sarcostemma clausum, Apocynaceae)
Native

Twinevine is white, but that  is the closest match I can make for this vine flower. The butterfly is a Great Southern White.

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 Hairypod cowpea (Vigna luteola, Fabaceae)

Native

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Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans, Avicenniaceae)

Native

The three common mangroves found in coastal habitats are white mangrove (furthest inland), black mangrove, and red mangrove (furthest into water).  Black mangrove puts up large numbers of stubs called pneumatophores that allow its roots to breathe when submerged (on right-hand side of upper left photo).

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White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa, Combretaceae)

Native

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Marsh gentian; seaside gentian (Eustoma exaltatum, Gentianaceae)

Native

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Narrowleaf yellowtops (Flaveria linearis, Asteraceae)

Native

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