Complete Native Northern Florida habitat shots!

[kylecawazafla]

Here is a collection of photos I took today from my area of Florida. All the palm trees are in their habitats except for the Sabal palmetto which seem to be creeping of the central part of the state (hence only juveniles).

First off are the Rhapidophyllum hystrix which I have only found in one of our largest sink holes called Devil's Milhopper. I don't understand why there are none anywhere else. They must like the cooler conditions provided in the deep indentation. I'm surprised these are the world's hardiest palms though!

You can see the huge "needles"

[kylecawazafla]

I wish this photo could have turned out better. I liked seeing all of these Raphidophyllum since they are growing on a steep incline... which is a rare phenomenon here in Florida.

[kylecawazafla]

There was also a small group of Serenoa repens growing on the rim of the sink hole. Usually they grow in clusters of greater than one thousand. This Serenoa repens could almost pass as a Sabal minor.

Sabal minor growing next to it:

[kylecawazafla]

Also one of the newer Sabal palmetto's sprouting on this side of town.

The decent into the hole

Impressive Pinus elliottii (?)

One of our native BLE's (Broad Leaf Evergreen) A Southern Magnolia

[kylecawazafla]

My friend and I also went on a search for a Major stand some S. Minor.

We first encountered some Sabal palmetto

[kylecawazafla]

Some deciduous trees look completely different in the winter:

An impressive live oak (?).

Sabal minor!

[kylecawazafla]

They almost look like devil-ish butterfly wings

Sabal minor with Serenoa attitude.

They love water

The major stand of sabal minors

[kylecawazafla]

Contemplation fed from the forest

I went with a camera shy friend who ran away when I tried to take her picture

That's all. I hope you enjoyed them!

[amazondk]

Great pictures Kyle.  Forest walks are always great.  That is quite a boardwalk they have built there.  It would be nice for you to take pictures of the same place in the summer to see the difference.  I love oak trees.  I am going to get some seeds and see if they will grow here.

dk

[FRITO]

nice photos. love the native needle palm in habitat. this represents north florida well.

[tank]

Kyle,

For more needle palms, try the trail along Ring Park, on the greenway on the north side of 16 Ave.  Its just north of where you took the boardwalk pics.

Great Pictures.

When are you going to start your palm plantings at the University?

[kylecawazafla]

Don! Let us know how your oaks do in your climate! They seem to thrive in the heat and humidity of Florida, but I wonder if they can handle those things perpetually.

Jason! I am starting the palm project soon. Our average last frost date is March 10th, so once I have a free weekened after that date I will go. I am trying to convince my parents to let me be a IPS and CFPACS member as well since that would definitely help with the donations. I just found my ride to Miami though this weekend, so things are beginning to line up nicely.

[buzzmonkey]

Awesome pics Kyle. I just moved from Gville to Ft Lauderdale last summer and the differences in topography and vegetation are crazy. Devil's Millhopper is one of the things I miss most about living there, along with the Prairie, La Chua trail and all the springs.

[_Keith]

(amazondk @ Feb. 05 2008,06:59)

QUOTE

Great pictures Kyle.  Forest walks are always great.  That is quite a boardwalk they have built there.  It would be nice for you to take pictures of the same place in the summer to see the difference.  I love oak trees.  I am going to get some seeds and see if they will grow here.

dk

Kyle - Great thread.   Thanks for sharing.

Don - I'd be happy to send you some seeds from my toughest Live Oak.  They should be dropping later later this year.