Pelican Island NWR, July 22, 2015

Our initial plan was to walk only as far as the butterfly garden due to the heat. However, a refuge volunteer came by and told us there had been about a dozen roseate spoonbills and several tricolor herons near the boardwalk leading to the observation deck. She offered us a ride in her golf cart, so we hopped on. We found the spot where the spoonbills had been. Only one remained. After checking out the views from the observation deck, we walked back to our car, photographing plants along the way, including in the butterfly garden. All the plants shown below are natives.

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Roseate Spoonbill

and Tricolor Herons

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 Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans, Aviceniaceae)

Black mangroves are typically found growing immediately inland of red mangroves. They are characterized by their conspicuous pneumatophores, vertical branches that extend upwards from roots below the soil. Their leaves are often found encrusted with salt.

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White mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa, Combretaceae)

White mangroves typically grow upland of both red and black mangroves. Leaves are oval in shape and somewhat flattened.

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Peppervine (Ampelopsis arborea, Vitaceae)

A close cousin of grapes, but considered not palatable for humans. Some people have reported throat issues and stomach upset after eating peppervine fruit.

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Hercules-club (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, Rutaceae)

A spiny tree or shrub native to the southeast U.S. Sometimes called "toothache tree" or "tingle tongue" because of the numbness of the mouth, teeth, and tongue induced by chewing on its leaves or bark (thus relieving toothache). It was used for such medicinal purposes by both Native Americans and early settlers.

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Strangler fig (Ficus aurea, Moraceae)

Strangler fig is identified by leaves with a yellow midrib. Immature fruit is shown in this view.

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Southern beeblossom (Gaura angustifolia, Onagraceae)

A common roadside plant.

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Spurred butterfly pea (Centrosema virginianum, Fabaceae)

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Firebush (Hamelia patens, Rubiaceae)

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Firewheel; blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella, Asteraceae)

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Hairypod cowpea (Vigna luteola, Fabaceae)

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Spotted beebalm; dotted horsemint (Monarda punctata, Lamiaceae)

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Climbing aster (Symphyotrichum carolinianum, Asteraceae)

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Carolina wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis, Acanthaceae)

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Scorpionstail (Heliotropium angiospermum, Boraginaceae)

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Tropical sage (Salvia coccinea, Lamiaceae)

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Camphorweed (Heterotheca subaxillaris, Asteraceae)

Bracts linear, overlapping, ciliate; leaves clasping, rough, toothed; stem hairy; plant odiferous.

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Pond View

from butterfly garden

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