Tosohatchee WMA, June 27, 2015

The main purpose of this visit was to photograph the abundant rosemallows (Hibiscus grandiflorus and H. coccineus) that are now blooming in the St. Johns River marshes. In Toso, they can be found near the east end of Power Line Rd, on either side of the two wooden bridges and further east into the near-treeless flood plain. We saw thousands of rosemallows in bloom in the St. Johns Rivers marshes bordering I-95 south of SR-520. They could also be seen along SR-520 where it crosses the St. Johns River.

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 Nuttall's meadowbeauty (Rhexia nuttallii, Melastomataceae)

Lower photo shows blossom with interesting reddish notches on ends of petals. Perhaps this appearance was caused by some insect taking a bite out of the petals while still in bud stage.

Photos taken along St. Nicholas Rd.

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Pale meadowbeauty (Rhexia mariana, Melastomataceae)

Upper-right photo shows a backlit blossom.

Lower photo shows spurs on anthers. 

Photos taken along St. Nicholas Rd.

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Swamp rosemallow (Hibiscus grandiflorus, Malvaceae)

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Scarlet rosemallow (Hibiscus coccineus, Malvaceae)

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Panoramas

Upper-left: Rosemallows,

Others: Clouds moving across grassy marshland.

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Winged loosestrife (Lythrum alatum var. lanceolatum, Lythraceae)

The petals of winged loosestrife appear wrinkled, as if they need ironing!

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Broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia, Typhaceae)

Along Long Bluff Rd.

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Spurred butterfly pea (Centrosema virginianum, Fabaceae)

Along Lake Charlie Rd.

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Fewflower milkweed (Asclepias lanceolata, Apocynaceae)

Found on Fish Hole Rd, a few hundred feet north of the SR-528 underpass.

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 Chapman's goldenrod (Solidago odora var. chapmanii, Asteraceae)

Flower heads borne along one side of the floral branches.

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Wild Turkeys

Several adults and a bunch of young ones were browsing in the tall grass along Long Bluff Rd.

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