Botany
Plant Spotlight: Cherokee Bean or Coral Bean
Despite its name, Cherokee Bean (Erythrina herbacea) is not an edible legume. Parts of the plant are edible, but it is not advisable to eat them unless you really know what you’re doing because it can be toxic. However, it is one of the prettiest native plants for landscaping. When it is not blooming, Cherokee …
Beauty Berry: Not Just a Weed. Insecticide, Jams, and Native Landscaping.
Callicarpa Americana more commonly known as Beauty Berry is one of the most easily recognizable backyard plants. It grows pretty much anywhere, and most people think of it as just a weed. It is easily identified by its bright purple berries, and due to its color, most people think it is poisonous. However, this is …
Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Located just outside of Gainesville on Archer road is Kanapaha Botanical Gardens. With the weather just starting to turn from winter to spring, Kanapaha will soon be back in full bloom. There are approximately 1.5 miles of paths that wind through the gardens, and most of these paths are wheelchair accessible. There are 24 major collections …
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park: The Beginning of Blooming Season!
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens is located right on the outskirts of Tallahassee, and offers year-round opportunities for visitors to experience outdoor Florida. The Park offers many different activities that should not be overlooked (see this post for details!) including several hiking trails, canoeing, swimming, fishing, and five miles of biking trails. However, it is the gardens themselves that …
Plant Spotlight: Poison Ivy
Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) is one of the most notorious and commonly found plants, but it can be difficult to identify for those who do not have much experience outdoors, as it comes in a variety of sizes and is easily confused with other plants. The most commonly seen plants are the juveniles, and the leaves on these …