Camphorweed: Heterotheca subaxillaris

Camphorweed

The Camphorweed (Heterotheca subaxillaris) is well established on Fort Myers Beach where it plays an important ecological role.   Like the Railroad Vine and the Sea Oat, the Camphorweed's taproot contributes to beach stability. The flowers are about an inch in diameter with slender overlapping yellow petals surrounding an orange-yellow disk that are clustered at the ends of branch stems. Blooming time is in the late summer and early fall.  The leaves are broader at the base of unbranched main stems.  The plant is odiferous. Crush the leaves between your fingers and note the strong and aromatic scent of Camphor. 

The Camphorweed is widely distributed in Florida.  It can be found in the dry sandy soils of Florida's pinelands and coastal dunes.  It is a drought resistant and salt tolerant plant that  can survive on nutrient poor soils.  It gives all the appearance of an ordinary weed.  Perhaps for some it is a plant that should be promptly pulled out of the ground.  Before passing judgment on the Camphorweed please take the time to observe the fragile beauty of its flowers and remember that it is a member of that prominent flower family, the Asters.

Whitemouth Dayflower: Commelina erecta

The  Whitemouth Day Flower (Commelina erecta), a member of the Spiderwort family.  This flower has two lateral lobes that are light blue in color.  A third lobe below and between the two larger lobes is white in color. This smaller lobe is what gives it the name Whitemouth.  Its flower is about an inch wide that blooms at sunrise and then wilts by late morning.  Honeybees seeking nectar are attracted to the Whitemouth's anthers.  Its leaves are narrow and linear from 1" to 6" in length.  The plant is either erect reaching a height of 24" or it lies closely to the ground . It is a perennial plant.

Whitemouth likes dry sandy soil and accordingly is widely distributed throughout Florida.  On the island it is found in the Preserve, Bowditch Point Park, the beach and in the lawns of many beach residents include my front yard. There is a closely related cousin of the Whitemouth, the Common Dayflower (Commelina diffusa). The diffusa has been found in the Preserve.  It is, however, not native.  There is a total of eight species of Commelina in Florida.  This particular specimen was photographed alongside a  rural road in Hendry County.

Railroad Vine: Ipomoea pes-caprae

The Railroad Vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae) , in the Morning Glory family,  got its common name because of its ability to lay down long "tracks" or stolons.   Stolons are something like a stem except they have nodes that put out horizontal roots and can reach lengths of 30' or more. Growing to a height of about a foot, it is a ground hugger that can form a thick ground cover.  With its tap root reaching  up to 3' in depth the Railroad Vine is an effective beach stabilizer.  Its  2"- 4" two lobed oblong leaves with a notch on top give the appearance of a goat's foot.  The Vine's flower is pink in color and  2" - 3"  in diameter. The flowers which can occur singly or in clusters come out at night and are in full bloom by the early morning.  As the sun comes up the flowers fade and shrink.  The flower has five petals that are separated by a dark rose colored five pointed star that radiates out from the flower's center This five pointed star is characteristic of the several species of the genus Ipomoea.  Ipomoea is a Greek word for "wormlike" in reference to the long and twisting  vines and rapid growth of its member species. Pes-caprae means goat's foot.

 Railroad vine is native to the beaches Florida, however, it also has a worldwide distribution showing up on the beaches in Australia and the Caribbean. It thrives on nutrient poor and moist sandy  soils. It is drought resistant and salt tolerant and can withstand sand blasting, wave action, and salt spray. One tough plant.

This picture was taken, of course, on the Beach. While getting ready to take the shot a bee arrived to do some cross-pollination.  Look closely at the center of the flower and you will see the bee's abdomen. 

Helianthus debilis

Beach Dune Flower: Helianthus debilis

The Beach Dune flower is well known to many residents of the Beach.  It can be found just about everywhere. It grows on the Beach, along the side walks and swales on Estero Blvd, behind the dune in Bowditch Park and occasionally in the Preserve.  The plant is easily recognized by its attractive flower  with 10 to 20 bright yellow rays surrounding a dark brown disk, a clear indication that it is a member of the Aster family.  The sunflower like flower runs about 3" in diameter which blooms year around.  Debilis has   triangular dark green leaves that are irregularly toothed and lobed. It is both salt and drought tolerant which makes it well suited for a Coastal Dunes habitat.  The plant closely hugs the ground which makes it an excellent groundcover. Several Beach residents plant debilis because of this feature.  It is a fast grower that spreads  aggressively.  It can sometime be a problem when it spreads into your neighbor's yard.  It also tends to get leggy after two years. Mine are that way now and I plan on tearing them out in the fall.  They will promptly re-grow next spring.  This specimen was photographed in my front yard.

Centrosema virginianum

The Butterfly Pea is a petite perennial vine that blooms all year. It got its name because it is a host plant for Skipper butterflies.  It is found just about everywhere in Florida except perhaps for mangrove swamps.  It likes to climb on other vegetation especially grasses where it can be found growing in clusters. This picture was taken in the grassy area bordering the Critical Wildlife Area. It can also be found in the swells on the very south end of the island and at Bowditch Park.   There are three species of Centrosema found in Florida.  

Eustoma exaltatum

Better known as the Seaside Gentian.  This wild flower makes its home close to the Beach.  This picture was taken in the grassy area that borders the Critical Wildlife Area.  It is also found at Bowditch Point Park just behind the sand dune.  The flower comes in a light blue or all white.  It is usually quite a small plant of about a foot high with flower being about an inch wide.  It can reach heights of 3".  Gentians bloom from December to August.

Coreopsis leavenworthii

Let's start with Tickseed the Florida State flower.  This wildflower is found just about everywhere in Florida except perhaps in a Mangrove swamp.  On the Beach, the flower can be found in abundance at Bowditch Point Park.  Note the tiny weevil making its way to the flower's disk..  The Leavenworthii has several cousins in the genera Coreopsis which can be found in the mitigation areas in Eastern Lee County.