Camping, Part 2

Yesterday we discussed some fauna in the Everglades. Today it's going to be the flora. So, here goes...

This is sawgrass. It's the main component in the Everglades' "River of grass". This grass is wild and grows up to about 10' tall. When it blooms in spring, it blooms up on top in long, brown feathery plumes. The thing about sawgrass is that it really is like a saw. It has saw-toothed edges and is very sharp. We have all been cut by it more than once! Yikes!

Sawgrass usually surrounds flagponds. Flagponds are little ponds in the middle of the prairies. If you'll look below, the very green area in the center is the central part of the flagpond. During the dry season (now) most of the glades dry up, leaving rock hard ground where there's usually water or mud. The exception is canals and these flagponds. Since they are actual small ponds, and even though the water dries up all around it, in the middle, there usually remains a foot or two of water in about 6-8' diameter areas. This is where all the animals congregate during the dry season. There's almost always one or two alligators who "claim" each flagpond and "allow" the other animals to drink from it. Also, many times, deer bed down in the sawgrass surrounding the flagponds. It's shady and there's water very close. These flagponds are also called sloughs.
This is a cabbage palmetto or "cabbage palm" as it's more commonly known. The trunk is latticed with old leaf bases. This is Florida's state tree.
These are cypress knees. No one really knows what their purpose is, but there are speculations. If you sit in the bathtub and fold up your knees, you'll see whey they are called cypress knees. They are part of the root system of the bald cypress. First let me say that the bald cypress is called "bald" because it actually sheds all it's leaves during the winter, like oaks or maples, and regrows them in spring. Of course, instead of a 6 month cycle, this usually takes only about 2 months. Anyway, back to the knees....Some people think that the knees allow the roots in the ground to breathe when they are all under water during the wet season. But, there is no proof of this and no one really knows their exact purpose. They are a good resting place for smaller animals when it's wet, though, so it could be a resting spot God set there for the little guys. Who knows.

Another cypress knee.
There are bunches of beautiful flowers all over the Everglades. Right now they're somewhat sparse, but you should see it during the wet season! Amazing! What's really cool is that you'll have this whole field of grass that's brownish and right in the middle will be this beacon of white. It's usually one of these. This is called a Swamp Lily and blooms year round.

This is a Spider Lily and it's actually nearing the end of its annual bloom time.

This is a black-eyed susan and is found in many places, not just here. You might have these near you!

And this one, we're not actually sure of. We think it's a Large-Flowered Sabatia. It's the most beautiful fluorescent purple color and these are everywhere right now. These are some of my favorite flowers out there....and yes, probably because it's purple. But, there are other really beautiful purple flowers during the wet season, too.

Now, this is a pine tree, which I'm sure all of you already knew, but I am just fascinated by how these trees are shaped. Most are just straight up and down, but many of them have been traumatized at some time in their life and grow in such funky shapes. I think it's just amazing that these trees can sustain a storm or injury and just keep right on growing. Look at this one. Why in the world is it shaped that way?? But, for some reason, it just keeps on growing. Kinda like us, huh? We get hurt or traumatized and, with the Lord's help and guidance, we just keep on growing. God is so good. These funny shaped trees are a reminder of what life is really like and the urging of survival. If they can survive, we can, too! :-)

Well, I guess that's it for our Everglades tutorial. Tomorrow I will actually put some people pix on! That should be fun....dirty kids, ATV's, fires, tents....how surprising, huh??? Oh, and of course the buggy! Have a great day! :-)