Bio Assessment Results Memo

COUNTY ROAD 491 REGIONAL DRAINAGE STUDY PHASE I

Citrus County, Florida

Southwest Florida Water Management District Environmental Resource Permit (ERP) Application

APPENDIX B.2

Biological Assessment Supplement: Proposed Northern Ponds and Road Access Area

Prepared By: Michael G. Czerwinski, P.A. Environmental Consultants Lecanto, Florida

PROJECT MEMORANDUM

Project: Citrus County Highway 491 Widening (SR 44 to West Lee Ann Lane) Biological Assessment Supplement: Proposed Northern Ponds and Road Access Area

To: Juan Fong, P.E. Pegasus Engineering

From: Andrew Holland, Environmental Scientist MICHAEL G. CZERWINSKI, P.A., ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS

Date: November 4, 2015

Subject: Results of Cursory Biological Assessment

MICHAEL G. CZERWINSKI, P.A., ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS (MGC) contracted with Pegasus Engineering to perform a cursory biological assessment of a proposed revised road access and pond locations (subject site) associated with the larger Citrus County Highway 491 Widening Project. MGC had previously conducted a larger scale biological assessment of the entire widening corridor, including areas directly adjacent to the subject site assessment area in September, 2013. The new proposed ponds and road access areas were added due to revisions to the scope and drainage service area of the larger road widening project. Preliminary site plans depict the creation of two stormwater ponds to be constructed and a new road access of approximately 1,400 linear ft. to be established within the subject site limits. The subject site, comprising approximately 36 acres, is located directly east of the Audubon Park medical offices and is located approximately one mile north of the intersection of State Road 44 and County Road 491 in Sections 33 & 34, T18S, R18E and sections 3 & 4, T19S, R18E in Lecanto, Citrus County, Florida. Ultimately, while listed species including the gopher tortoise were noted to occur within the larger widening project area as identified in the September 2013 Biological Assessment, no gopher tortoise burrows or other listed species were noted to occur within the 36 acre subject site. However, the habitat on the subject site is conducive to supporting gopher tortoises and may become inhabited overtime, and therefore should be re-assessed under the gopher tortoise burrow update survey covering the entire widening corridor to be submitted as part of the gopher tortoise relocation permit application to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The purpose of this biological assessment is to document the presence of listed species, wetlands, and other surface waters within / adjacent to the project limits in advance of proposed construction activities and, if necessary, to address potential impacts to those resources. Listed species, for the purposes of this assessment, are those plants and animals that are formally listed as Endangered, Threatened, or Species of Special Concern, or as a commercially exploited plant by the US Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (USWFS) (50 CFR 17.11-12), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FFWCC)

2716 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, Florida 34461 È Phone (352) 249-1012 s Fax (352) 249-1013 s E mail: [email protected]

Phase 1 ESA’s ♦ Wetland Delineation ♦ Sinkhole Probability & Evaluation ♦ Listed Species & Habitat Assessments & Mapping ♦ Cultural Resource Assessments ♦ Water Quality Studies ♦ Environmental Impact Assessment

(Chapter 68A-27 FAC) or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FCACS) (Section 581 F.S.). Results maps and photo documentation for this investigation are provided in at the end of this report. Wetlands and their limits are defined in Chapter 62-340, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) Wetland Delineation Manual (1987). Wetlands, for the purpose of this assessment are defined as “those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface water or ground water at a frequency and a duration sufficient to support, and under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soils” (Chapter 62-340 F.A.C).

Previously delineated and SWFWMD reviewed / approved wetland systems (Wetlands H, I, M) are located within 200-400’ to the south of the subject site, and will require evaluation / potential mitigation for impacts as part of the larger widening project, but no additional wetlands were identified within the subject site limits.

Prior to conducting the field investigations, publicly available mapping data were queried to gain an understanding of the project area conditions. The subject site lies along the western flank of the Brooksville Ridge Physiographic Province (White, 1970). The Brooksville Ridge is a north-south trending ridge located in the approximate center of Citrus County that extends from Hernando County into Marion County. Elevations along the ridge range from approximately 70 to 240 feet above NGVD (National Geodetic Vertical Datum). The Ridge is characterized by deep, well drained sandy soils, overlying a discontinuous clay unit that varies between 0 and 30 feet thick. A review of SWFWMD 1-2’ contour LIDAR topography indicated elevations on the subject site range between 15 and 71 feet, with elevations highest along the western limits adjacent to CR 491, and generally decreasing to the east to a low point within the central / eastern portion of the subject site.

A review of the Citrus County Soil Survey indicates the majority of the property (65%) is underlain by Lochloosa Fine Sand / 0 to 5 percents, with other soils noted comprising between 5 and 15% of the site including Quartzipsamments / 0 to 5 Percent Slopes, Sparr Fine Sand / 0 to 5 Percent Slopes, Kendrick Fine Sand / 0 to 5 Percent Slopes, Imokalee Fine Sand, and Arredondo Fine Sand / 0 to 5 and 5 to 8 Percent Slopes. Lochloosa and Sparr Fine Sand are both Hydrologic Group C soils indicating a soil with lower infiltration rates when thoroughly wetted, and with high water tables between 30 and 60 inches below the surface for one to four months in most years. Kendrick and Arredondo Fine Sand are Hydrologic group A soils with rapid percolation and high water tables more than 72” below the surface throughout the year. Imokalee Fine Sand is a Hydrologic Group B/D soil, indicating a natural state D class soil (poorly drained / low permeability) that could be modified through drainage to a B class soil, and with a high water table less than 10” below the surface for up to 2 months in most years. Quartzipsamments is a soil that has been highly reworked for development purposes and is not assigned a hydrologic group, percolation rate or water table depth due to its highly variable nature.

The subject site lies within a low density residential / pastureland corridor along the east side of CR 491. Adjacent Land Uses include low density residential and pastureland habitat to the north, east, and south, and CR 491 and the Allen Ridge / Audubon Park Medical facilities to the west.

2716 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, Florida 34461 È Phone (352) 249-1012 s Fax (352) 249-1013 s E mail: [email protected]

Results: MGC staff conducted a field inspection of the subject site on September 22, 2015. The majority of the subject site assessment area (~95%) is Open Lands (FLUCFCS 1900) habitat in varying degrees of maintenance / use, and the northern limits were described as Mixed Hardwoods Forest (FLUCFCS 4380). Open lands habitat within the western half of the subject site is substantially overgrown by herbaceous ruderal species and in some locations dominated by stands of exotic / invasive cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica), especially along the very western site limits adjacent to CR 491. Species noted within these habitat areas are principally ruderal field plants and shrubs that have grown to substantial size, including dog fennel (Eupatorium capillifolium), winged sumac (Rhus copallinum), showy rattlebox (Crotalaria spectabilis), Canadian horseweed (Conyza canadensis), spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata), ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia), hairy indigo (Indigofera hirsuta), sand blackberry (Rubus cuneifolius), beggar ticks (Bidens alba), bahia grass (Paspalum notatum), sapling live oaks (Quercus virginiana) and cogon grass. Heading further west into fenced cattle pasture areas, open land habitat possesses a notably lower growing herbaceous cover, generally less than 12” in height, with species noted including dog fennel, bahia grass, beggar ticks, tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum), broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus), and sand blackberry with scatted canopy trees including live oak, longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), wild cherry (Prunus serotina), camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora), Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum), mimosa tree (Albizia julibrissin), and laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia).

Mixed Hardwood forest present along the northern limits of the subject site is thick canopied, dominated by stands of live oak, laurel oak, cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto), mimosa tree and eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana), with a ground cover / understory of beauty berry (Callicarpa americana), sapling oaks and skunkvine (Paederia foetida). Several squirrel nests were noted in these habitat areas, but none of sufficient size / makeup to potentially be used by state threatened Sherman’s fox squirrels.

Wildlife species observed during the September 22nd field inspection include (listed species in bold) Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis), blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata), Northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos), nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos), southeastern pocket gopher (Geomys pinetis), and eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). No threatened / endangered wildlife species were observed within the subject site during the scope of this assessment.

Potential Listed Species Use Upland habitats within the subject site include large expanses of open canopied, low growing herbaceous cover that could be considered suitable for several listed upland species such as the gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) and its commensal species, the Sherman’s fox squirrel (Sciurus niger shermani), and the Southeastern American kestrel (Falco sparverius paulus). However, none of these species were documented within the subject site during the scope of this assessment. It is noted that gopher tortoises were previously documented in habitat areas to the north and south of the subject site during the 2013 widening corridor biological assessment, and as they are mobile wildlife and suitable habitat is present within the subject site,

2716 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, Florida 34461 È Phone (352) 249-1012 s Fax (352) 249-1013 s E mail: [email protected]

there is some potential gopher tortoises could create burrows within the subject site area over time. An updated 100% cover gopher tortoise burrow survey that is no more than 90 days old will ultimately be required to be submitted to the FFWCC for permitting / relocation of tortoises from the larger corridor widening project, and that survey should include a review of the subject site habitat areas to ensure a population has not established there over time.

While habitat within the majority (eastern cattle pasture portions) of the subject site could be considered suitable for the Southeastern American kestrel, and potential kestrel nesting sites (snag and wooden telephone poles with cavities) were noted on the subject site, no kestrels were observed on-site during this assessment. In addition, no kestrels were observed in adjacent pastureland habitats during the original 2013 Biological Assessment which included 10 days of field observation in May and July during the optimal kestrel survey periods. It is therefore considered unlikely that proposed development activities will adversely affect this species.

As noted in the initial biological survey report, the subject site is located approximately 9 miles northeast of the Chassahowitzka Florida black bear primary population range, and there are a significant number of bear nuisance reports located in the Citrus Springs development area approximately 5 miles north of the project. The open land / pastureland habitat associated with these supplement parcels is not valuable for foraging or travel for the species due to limited suitable forage and open canopied nature. While historic bear documentations include one roadkill on SR 44 and one nuisance call report within two miles of the site, the subject site does not possess suitable habitat and proposed development activities are unlikely to adversely affect this species.

A review of the Florida Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) and USFWS species GIS databases revealed no known eagle nests, wading bird rookeries, Florida scrub jay documentations within a 2 mile radius of the larger road widening project area. Several colonies of red cockaded woodpeckers are documented to reside within the Withlacoochee State Forest to the southeast of the project area, but these populations have generally been extirpated from adjacent non-state lands habitat, and there is very limited longleaf pine canopy on the subject site, with none of the trees present bearing evidence of historic red-cockaded woodpecker cavities. The subject site is located within 15 miles of a Florida wood stork (a federally listed species) rookery. However, the site is located more than 2,000 ft from any documented rookery sites, and no wetlands are present on the 36 acre subject site which could be considered core foraging habitat. Therefore, the project is unlikely to adversely affect these listed bird species.

The Florida Natural Areas Inventory identifies historic recordings of the Eastern Indigo snake and short-tailed snake within two miles of the larger widening corridor. Because it is noted that gopher tortoise burrows will be impacted by the larger widening project, it is recommended that the USFWS Standard Protection Measures for the Eastern Indigo Snake should be incorporated into the contractor education plan for the larger widening project as recommended in the 2013 biological assessment. However, no gopher tortoise burrows were

2716 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, Florida 34461 È Phone (352) 249-1012 s Fax (352) 249-1013 s E mail: [email protected]

documented within the specific habitat areas of the subject site, and it is unlikely the habitat within the subject site provides significant value to the Eastern indigo snake due to the limited number of denning sites noted, and relatively open habitat cover.

Seven exotic / invasive plant species – cogon grass (Imperata cylindrica), Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum), tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum), skunkvine (Paederia foetida), Caesarweed (Urena lobata), camphor tree (Cinnamomum camphora), and mimosa tree (Albizia jullibrissin) – were identified within the subject site limits. All seven species are listed as category 1 invasive species by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council, and Chinese tallow tree, Cogon grass, tropical soda apple, and skunk vine are regulated as a noxious weed by either the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and / or the US Department of Agriculture. Care should be taken during land clearing and grading construction activities to prevent the spread of these species off-site through transport of vegetation waste or contaminated fill material. Short identification and educational / identification pamphlets created by the FLEPPC are provided as an attachment to this report.

2716 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, Florida 34461 È Phone (352) 249-1012 s Fax (352) 249-1013 s E mail: [email protected]

Appendix A

Maps and Exhibits

Pegasus Engineering – CR 491 Widening – Proposed Northern Ponds and Road Access Assessment Area 36 Acres (MOL) in Sections 33 & 34, Township 18S, Range 18E and Sections 3 & 4, Township 19S, Range 18E Citrus County, Florida November, 2015

2716 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, Florida 34461 È Phone (352) 249-1012 s Fax (352) 249-1013 s E mail: [email protected]

Environmental Impact Assessment ٭ Water Quality Studies ٭ Cultural Resource Assessments ٭ Listed Species & Habitat Assessments & Mapping ٭ Sinkhole Probability & Evaluation ٭ Wetland Delineation ٭ Phase 1 ESA’s

Appendix B

Photo Documentation

2716 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, Florida 34461 È Phone (352) 249-1012 s Fax (352) 249-1013 s E mail: [email protected]

P hoto 1. A photo of mowed maintained CR491 frontage Photo 2. Photo of the cogon grass infested Open Lands habitat d irectly adjacent to the subject site assessment area. within the western limits of the assessment area.

P hoto 3. P hoto of typ ical dense ly vegetat ed herbac eous open P hoto 4. P hoto cattle pasture t ype Open Lands hab itat within land s habit at located east of the cogon gra ss infeste d western ea stern por tions of the subject s ite where proposed ponds are to limits along the proposed access road route. be constructed.

Photo 5. Photo of typical mixed hardwood forest habitat located Photo 6. Photo of a wooden electric pole with potential nesting along the northern and southern fringes of the subject site. cavities located within the proposed limits of the northern pond.

2716 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, Florida 34461 È Phone (352) 249-1012 s Fax (352) 249-1013 s E mail: [email protected]

P hoto 7. A photo of one of several Geo-tech boring locations Photo 8. Photo of the camphor tree, an exotic / invasive plant no ted throughout the subject site. species noted in several locations within the subject site.

P hoto 9. P hoto of one of severa l mamma l dens doc umented P hoto 10. Photo of s everal snag (dead st anding) tree s identified on- site and marked to verify the y were no t gopher tor toise on the subj ect site. S nag trees were inspe cted for po tential burrows. nesting cavities and wildlife use.

Photo 11. Photo of Chinese tallow tree, an exotic / invasive Photo 12. Photo of tropical soda apple, an exotic / invasive plant plant species noted in several locations within the subject site. species noted in several locations within the subject site.

2716 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, Florida 34461 È Phone (352) 249-1012 s Fax (352) 249-1013 s E mail: [email protected]

Appendix C

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – List of Threatened / Endangered Species for Citrus County, FL

2716 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, Florida 34461 È Phone (352) 249-1012 s Fax (352) 249-1013 s E mail: [email protected]

Federally-listed Species in Citrus County, Florida | North Florida ES... http://www.fws.gov/northflorida/CountyList/Citrus.htm

orth Florida Ecological Services

Welcome Our Strategic Federally Listed Species in Citrus County, Florida Plan Area of This information is provided as a guide to project planning, and is not a substitute for Responsibility Our Office site-specific surveys. Such surveys may be needed to assess species' presence or Location absence, as well as the extent of project effects on listed species and/or designated critical Contact Us habitat. Current News Releases The following table lists those federally-listed species known to be present in the county. News Archives Code Key: E = Endangered, T = Threatened, CH = Critical Habitat Designated, C = Candidate Note 1 Landowner Tools Category Species Common Name Species Scientific Name Code Programs and Resources Mammals West Indian (Florida) Manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris E/CH Partners for Florida Scrub-jay Aphelocoma coeruluscens T Fish and Wildlife Coastal Birds Wood Stork Mycteria americana E Program Red-cockaded Woodpecker Picoides borealis E Habitat Conservation Fish Gulf Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrhynchus desotoi T Plans Eastern Indigo Snake Dymarchon corais couperi T Federally-listed Species in Green Sea Turtle Chelonia mydas E Florida Leatherback Sea Turtle Dermochelys coriacea E Students & Reptiles Teachers Loggerhead Sea Turtle Caretta caretta T Related Sites of Kemp's ridley Sea Turtle Lepidochelys kempii E Interest Gopher Tortoise Gopherus polyphemus C Key North Amphibians None Florida Species Mollusks None Bald Eagle Crustaceans None Florida Manatee Eastern Indigo Plants None Snake Florida Home Species: North Florida County Species: South Florida County Species: Panhandle County Scrub-Jay Sand Skinks For a list of State species by county use the Florida Natural Areas Inventory's Tracking Lists at http://www.fnai.org Sea Turtles /trackinglist.cfm Whooping Crane For State listed species details, please go to http://myfwc.com/imperiledspecies// Wood Stork Note 1. Candidate species receive no statutory protection under the ESA. The FWS encourages cooperative General conservation efforts for these species because they are, by definition, species that may warrant future protection under the ESA. Information Hunting-Fishing NOTE: Bald eagles were removed from the endangered species list in June 2007 because their populations Licenses & recovered sufficiently. However, the protections under the Bald and Golden Eagle Act (Eagle Act) continue to apply. Permits Please see the eagle information on our Landowner Tools page or our national website at http://www.fws.gov Injured/Nuisance /migratorybirds/baldeagle.htm for information regarding new permit requirements under the Eagle Act. Wildlife Wildlife Law Violations

Other USFWS Resources Service Office Finder Office Directory Southeast Region

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Appendix D

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission List of Protected Species

2716 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, Florida 34461 È Phone (352) 249-1012 s Fax (352) 249-1013 s E mail: [email protected]

FLORIDA’S ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES

Updated September 2015

FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

CONTENTS

PREFACE ...... 2 NUMERICAL SUMMARY OF SPECIES ...... 4 OFFICIAL LISTS ...... 5 VERTEBRATES ...... 5 FISH ...... 5 AMPHIBIANS...... 5 REPTILES ...... 5 BIRDS ...... 6 MAMMALS...... 7 INVERTEBRATES ...... 8 CORALS ...... 8 CRUSTACEANS...... 9 INSECTS ...... 9 MOLLUSKS ...... 9 KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS AND NOTATIONS ...... 10 SPECIES ADDED, REVISED, OR REMOVED SINCE 2010 ...... 11

Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List 1

PREFACE

This document consolidates the official State of Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List of wildlife. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) maintains the state list of animals designated as Federally-designated Endangered or Threatened, State-designated Threatened, or State-designated Species of Special Concern, in accordance with Rules 68A-27.003, and 68A-27.005, respectively, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), https://www.flrules.org/Default.asp. On November 8, 2010 new Threatened species rules approved by the Commission went into effect (https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=68A-27). The list of wildlife contained herein reflect the changes to the rules. All Federally listed species that occur in Florida are now included on Florida’s list as Federally-designated Endangered or Federally- designated Threatened species. In addition, the State has a listing process to identify species that are not Federally listed but at risk of extinction. These species will be called State-designated Threatened. All State-designated species and have recently undergone biological status reviews that were presented at the June 2011 Commission meeting and approved. Based on the status reviews and other information, staff recommended that 40 of the 61 species evaluated be included on Florida's Threatened list in addition to the three species (gopher tortoise, Miami blue butterfly and Panama City crayfish) that were reviewed in the past decade. Staff recommended that 16 species be removed from the existing list. Three of these were classified as State- designated Threatened species at the time, and 13 are still classified as State Species of Special Concern. These listing status changes will not occur until species action plans and a comprehensive Imperiled Species Management plan are approved for all of the 60 species evaluated that do not have recent management plans completed. FWC will continue to maintain a separate Species of Special Concern category until all the species have been reviewed and those species are either designated as State-designated Threatened, or given a management plan and removed from the list. The State lists of plants, which are designated Endangered, Threatened, and Commercially Exploited, are administered and maintained by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DOACS) via Chapter 5B-40, F.A.C. This list of plants can be obtained at http://www.freshfromflorida.com/Divisions-Offices/Florida-Forest-Service/Our- Forests/Forest-Health/Florida-Statewide-Endangered-and-Threatened-Plant-Conservation- Program/Florida-s-Federally-Listed-Plant-Species. The Federal agencies that share the authority to list species as Endangered and Threatened are the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA-NMFS) and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The NOAA-NMFS is responsible for listing most marine species. The Federal list of animals and plants is administered by the USFWS, and this list is published in 50 CFR 17 (animals) and 50 CFR 23 (plants). Additional information regarding Federal listings can be located at the following websites; NOAA-NMFS - http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/esa/listed.htm and USFWS - http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/reports/ad-hoc-species- report?kingdom=V&kingdom=I&status=E&status=T&status=EmE&status=EmT&status=EXPE &status=EXPN&status=SAE&status=SAT&mapstatus=3&fcrithab=on&fstatus=on&fspecrule=o n&finvpop=on&fgroup=on&header=Listed+Animals.

Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List 2

Common and scientific names listed first are as they appear in the Florida Administrative Code, Title 68A. Common and/or scientific names following this and located within parentheses ( ) are names as used by USFWS, or other commonly used names.

Bradley J. Gruver, Ph. D., SCP Section Leader Caly Coffey, Assistant Listed Species Coordinator Species Conservation Planning Section Division of Habitat and Species Conservation Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Cover Photos by FWC Staff: Key Largo Woodrat, Burrowing Owls, Okaloosa Darter, Schaus’ swallowtail butterfly, Short-tailed Snake.

Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List 3

NUMERICAL SUMMARY OF SPECIES Listed by the State of Florida as Federally-designated Endangered (FE), Federally-designated Threatened (FT), Federally-designated Threatened due to Similarity of Appearance [FT(S/A)], Federal Non-Essential Experimental Population (FXN), State-designated Threatened (ST), or State Species of Special Concern (SSC).

STATUS DESIGNATION FISH AMPHIBIANS REPTILES BIRDS MAMMALS INVERTEBRATES TOTAL

FE 3 1 4 8 23 12 51 FT 2 1 6 5 1 15 30 FT(S/A) 0 0 1 0 0 3 4 FXN 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 ST 3 0 7 5 2 0 17 SSC 6 4 6 16 6 4 42

TOTAL 14 6 24 35 32 34 145

Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List 4

FLORIDA’S ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES OFFICIAL LIST

VERTEBRATES

FISH

Common Name Scientific Name Status Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus FE Blackmouth shiner Notropis melanostomus ST Bluenose shiner Pteronotropis welaka SSC Crystal darter Crystallaria asprella ST Acipenser oxyrinchus [=oxyrhynchus] Gulf sturgeon FT desotoi Harlequin darter Etheostoma histrio SSC Key silverside Menidia conchorum ST Lake Eustis pupfish Cyprinodon hubbsi SSC Okaloosa darter Etheostoma okalossae FT Rivulus Rivulus marmoratus SSC Saltmarsh topminnow Fundulus jenkinsi SSC Shortnose sturgeon Acipenser brevirostrum FE Smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinate FE Southern tessellated darter Etheostoma olmstedi maculaticeps SSC

AMPHIBIANS

Common Name Scientific Name Status Florida bog frog Lithobates okaloosae SSC Frosted flatwoods salamander Ambystoma cingulatum FT Georgia blind salamander Haideotriton wallacei SSC Gopher frog Lithobates capito SSC Pine barrens treefrog Hyla andersonii SSC Reticulated flatwoods Ambystoma bishopi FE salamander

REPTILES

Common Name Scientific Name Status Alligator snapping turtle Macrochelys temminckii SSC American alligator Alligator mississippiensis FT(S/A) American crocodile Crocodylus acutus FT Atlantic salt marsh snake Nerodia clarkii taeniata FT Barbour’s map turtle Graptemys barbouri SSC Bluetail mole skink Eumeces egregius lividus FT

Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List 5

Common Name Scientific Name Status Eastern indigo snake Drymarchon corais couperi FT Florida brownsnake1 Storeria victa ST Florida Keys mole skink Eumeces egregius egregius SSC Florida pine snake Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus SSC Gopher tortoise Gopherus polyphemus ST Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas FE Hawksbill sea turtle Eretmochelys imbricata FE Kemp’s ridley sea turtle Lepidochelys kempii FE Key ringneck snake Diadophis punctatus acricus ST Leatherback sea turtle Dermochelys coriacea FE Loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta FT Peninsula ribbon snake1 Thamnophis sauritus sackenii ST Red rat snake1 Elaphe guttata SSC Rim rock crowned snake Tantilla oolitica ST Sand skink Neoseps reynoldsi FT Short-tailed snake Stilosoma extenuatum ST Striped mud turtle1 Kinosternon baurii ST Suwannee cooter Pseudemys suwanniensis SSC

BIRDS

Common Name Scientific Name Status American oystercatcher Haematopus palliatus SSC Audubon’s crested caracara Polyborus plancus audubonii FT Bachman’s wood warbler Vermivora bachmanii FE Black skimmer Rynchops niger SSC Brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis SSC Burrowing owl Athene cunicularia SSC Cape Sable seaside sparrow Ammodramus maritimus mirabilis FE Eskimo curlew Numenius borealis FE Everglade snail kite Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus FE Florida grasshopper sparrow Ammodramus savannarum floridanus FE Florida sandhill crane Grus canadensis pratensis ST Florida scrub-jay Aphelocoma coerulescens FT Ivory-billed woodpecker Campephilus principalis FE Kirtland’s wood warbler Dendroica kirtlandii FE (Kirtland’s warbler) (Setophaga kirtlandii)

Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List 6

Common Name Scientific Name Status Least tern Sterna antillarum ST Limpkin Aramus guarauna SSC Little blue heron Egretta caerulea SSC Marian’s marsh wren Cistothorus palustris marianae SSC Osprey2 Pandion haliaetus SSC Piping plover Charadrius melodus FT Red-cockaded woodpecker Picoides borealis FE Reddish egret Egretta rufescens SSC Roseate spoonbill Platalea ajaja SSC Roseate tern Sterna dougallii dougallii FT Scott’s seaside sparrow Ammodramus maritimus peninsulae SSC Snowy egret Egretta thula SSC Charadrius nivosus Snowy plover ST (Charadrius alexandrinus) Southeastern American kestrel Falco sparverius paulus ST Tricolored heron Egretta tricolor SSC Wakulla seaside sparrow Ammodramus maritimus juncicola SSC White-crowned pigeon Patagioenas leucocephala ST Whooping crane Grus americana FXN White ibis Eudocimus albus SSC Worthington’s marsh wren Cistothorus palustris griseus SSC Wood stork Mycteria americana FT

MAMMALS

Common Name Scientific Name Status Anastasia Island beach mouse Peromyscus polionotus phasma FE Big Cypress fox squirrel Sciurus niger avicennia ST Caribbean monk seal Monachus tropicalis FE Choctawhatchee beach mouse Peromyscus polionotus allophrys FE Eastern chipmunk Tamias striatus SSC Everglades mink Neovison vison evergladensis ST Finback whale Balaenoptera physalus FE Florida bonneted (mastiff) bat Eumops [=glaucinus] floridanus FE Florida mouse Podomys floridanus SSC Florida panther Puma [=Felis] concolor coryi FE

Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List 7

Common Name Scientific Name Status Florida salt marsh vole Microtus pennsylvanicus dukecampbelli FE Gray bat Myotis grisescens FE Gray wolf Canis lupus FE Homosassa shrew Sorex longirostris eonis SSC Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae FE Indiana bat Myotis sodalis FE Key deer Odocoileus virginianus clavium FE Key Largo cotton mouse Peromyscus gossypinus allapaticola FE Key Largo woodrat Neotoma floridana smalli FE Lower Keys rabbit Sylvilagus palustris hefneri FE North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis FE Perdido Key beach mouse Peromyscus polionotus trissyllepsis FE Red wolf Canis rufus FE Rice rat Oryzomys palustris natator FE1 Sanibel Island rice rat Oryzomys palustris sanibeli SSC Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis FE Sherman’s fox squirrel Sciurus niger shermani SSC Sherman’s short-tailed shrew Blarina [=carolinensis] shermani SSC Southeastern beach mouse Peromyscus polionotus niveiventris FT Sperm whale Physeter catodon [=macrocephalus] FE St. Andrew beach mouse Peromyscus polionotus peninsularis FE West Indian manatee (Florida Trichechus manatus FE manatee) (Trichechus manatus latirostris)

INVERTEBRATES

CORALS

Common Name Scientific Name Status Boulder star coral Orbicella franksi FT Elkhorn coral Acropora palmata FT Lobed star coral Orbicella annularis FT Mountainous star coral Orbicella faveolata FT Pillar coral Dendrogyra cylindricus ST Rough cactus coral Mycetophyllia ferox FT Staghorn coral Acropora cervicornis FT

Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List 8

CRUSTACEANS

Common Name Scientific Name Status Black Creek crayfish Procambarus pictus SSC (Spotted royal crayfish) Panama City crayfish Procambarus econfinae SSC Santa Fe Cave crayfish Procambarus erythrops SSC Squirrel Chimney Cave shrimp Palaemonetes cummingi FT

INSECTS

Common Name Scientific Name Status American burying beetle Nicrophorus americanus FE Bartram’s scrub-hairstreak Strymon acisbartrami FE Cassius blue butterfly Leptotes cassius theonus FT(S/A) Ceraunus blue butterfly Hemiargus ceraunus antibubastus FT(S/A) Miami blue butterfly Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri FE Nickerbean blue butterfly Cyclargus ammon FT(S/A) Schaus’ swallowtail butterfly Heraclides aristodemus ponceanus FE

MOLLUSKS

Common Name Scientific Name Status Chipola slabshell (mussel) Elliptio chiplolaensis FT Choctaw bean Villosa choctawensis FE Fat threeridge (mussel) Amblema neislerii FE Florida treesnail Liguus fasciatus SSC Fuzzy pigtoe Pleurobema strodeanum FT Gulf moccasinshell (mussel) Medionidus penicillatus FE Narrow pigtoe Fusconai escambia FT Ochlockonee moccasinshell Medionidus simpsonianus FE (mussel) Oval pigtoe (mussel) Pleurobema pyriforme FE Purple bankclimber (mussel) Elliptoideus sloatianus FT Round ebonyshell Fusconaia rotulata FE Shinyrayed pocketbook Lampsilis subangulata FE (mussel) Southern kidneyshell Ptychobranchus jonesi FE Southern sandshell Hamiota australis FT

Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List 9

Common Name Scientific Name Status Stock Island tree snail Orthalicus reses [not incl. nesodryas] FT Tapered pigtoe Fusconaia burki FT

Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List 10

KEY TO ABBREVIATIONS AND NOTATIONS

List Abbreviations

FWC = Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission FE = Federally-designated Endangered FT = Federally-designated Threatened FXN = Federally-designated Threatened Nonessential Experimental Population FT(S/A) = Federally-designated Threatened species due to similarity of appearance ST = State-designated Threatened SSC = State Species of Special Concern

List Notations

1 Lower keys population only.

2 Monroe County population only.

Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List 10

SPECIES ADDED, REVISED, OR REMOVED SINCE 2010

The Florida black bear was removed from Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List on August 23, 2012 after approval by the Commission at the June 2012 Commission meeting. A new Florida Black Bear Management Plan was also approved at this meeting.

The Miami blue butterfly was emergency listed as Endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on August 10, 2011. On April 6, 2012, the Miami blue was officially listed as Endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Effective September 9, 2012 the FWC listed the Miami blue butterfly as Federally-designated Endangered on Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List.

The Cassius blue butterfly, ceraunus blue butterfly, and nickerbean blue butterfly were emergency listed as Threatened Due to Similarity of Appearance to the Miami blue by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on August 10, 2011. On April 6, 2012, these three species were officially listed as Threatened Due to Similarity of Appearance to the Miami blue by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These three species were listed on Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List as Federally-designated Threatened by Similarity of Appearance to the Miami blue butterfly effective September 9, 2012, and as such only the following prohibitions apply to these three species: a. Incidental take, that is, take that results from, but is not a purpose of, carrying out an otherwise lawful activity will not apply to cassius blue butterfly, ceraunus blue butterfly, and nickerbean blue butterfly. b. Collection of the cassius blue butterfly, ceraunus blue butterfly, and nickerbean blue butterfly is prohibited in coastal counties south of Interstate 4 and extending to the boundaries of the State of Florida at the endpoints of Interstate 4 at Tampa and Daytona Beach. Specifically, such activities are prohibited in the following counties: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, De Soto, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Pinellas, Sarasota, St. Lucie, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, and Volusia

The Okaloosa darter was reclassified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on effective May 2, 2011 from Endangered to Threatened. A special rule under Section 4d of the Endangered Species Act was also adopted that allows Eglin Air Force Base to continue activities with a reduced regulatory burden and will provide a net benefit to the Okaloosa darter.

Several species of mussels were Federally listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on October 10, 2012. These species include the: round ebonyshell, southern kidneyshell, Choctaw bean (all Endangered), tapered pigtoe, narrow pigtoe, southern sandshell, and fuzzy pigtoe (all Threatened).

The Florida bonneted bat was Federally listed as Endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on October 2, 2013 after receiving a petition for emergency listing.

The wood stork was reclassified by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on June 30, 2014, from Endangered to Threatened.

Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List 11

Appendix E

FNAI Tracking List of Listed / Ranked Floral Species in Citrus County, FL Pegasus Engineering – CR 491 Widening – Proposed Northern Ponds and Road Access Assessment Area 36 Acres (MOL) in Sections 33 & 34, Township 18S, Range 18E and Sections 3 & 4, Township 19S, Range 18E Citrus County, Florida November, 2015

2716 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, Florida 34461 È Phone (352) 249-1012 s Fax (352) 249-1013 s E mail: [email protected]

FNAI - Search http://fnai.org/bioticssearch.cfm

ABOUT FNAI STAFF PARTNERSHIPS CONTACT US

CITRUS COUNTY 21 Plants & Lichens Found Last Updated: October 2015

Key Scientific Name is linked to the FNAI Online Field Guides when available.

- links to NatureServe Explorer, an online encyclopedia of more than 55,000 plants, animals, and natural communities in North America, compiled by the NatureServe network of natural heritage programs, of which the Florida Natural Areas Inventory is a member.

- links to a species distribution map (Adobe SVG viewer required). If your browser does not support Adobe SVG, try this link

New Search

SEARCH RESULTS

NOTE: This is not a comprehensive list of all species and natural communities occurring in the location searched. Only elements documented in the FNAI database are included.

Plants and Lichens E X P L A N A T I O N Global State Federal State Scientific Name Common Name Rank Rank Status Status

Adiantum tenerum Brittle Maidenhair Fern G5 S3 N E

Agrimonia incisa Incised Groove-bur G3 S2 N T

Asplenium heteroresiliens Wagner's Spleenwort GNA S1 N N

Asplenium pumilum Dwarf Spleenwort G5 S1 N E

Asplenium verecundum Modest Spleenwort G1 S1 N E

Asplenium x curtissii Curtiss' Spleenwort GNA S1 N N

Blechnum occidentale Sinkhole Fern G5 S1 N E

Centrosema arenicola Sand Butterfly Pea G2Q S2 N E

Cheilanthes microphylla Southern Lip Fern G5 S3 N E

Glandularia maritima Coastal Vervain G3 S3 N E

1 of 2 11/4/2015 12:39 PM FNAI - Search http://fnai.org/bioticssearch.cfm

Glandularia tampensis Tampa Vervain G2 S2 N E

Matelea floridana Florida Spiny-pod G2 S2 N E

Monotropsis reynoldsiae Pygmy Pipes G1Q S1 N E

Pavonia spinifex Yellow Hibiscus G4G5 S2 N N

Pecluma ptilodon Swamp Plume Polypody G5? S2 N E

Pteroglossaspis ecristata Giant Orchid G2G3 S2 N T

Spiranthes polyantha Green Ladies'-tresses G4 S1S2N E

Stylisma abdita Scrub Stylisma G3 S3 N E

Thelypteris reptans Creeping Maiden Fern G5 S2 N E

Triphora craigheadii Craighead's Nodding-capsG1 S1 N E

Triphora rickettii Rickett's Nodding-caps G1? S1 N N

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2 of 2 11/4/2015 12:39 PM

Appendix F Invasive Exotic Plant Reference Material

2716 S. Lecanto Highway, Lecanto, Florida 34461 È Phone (352) 249-1012 s Fax (352) 249-1013 s E mail: [email protected]

Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl Lauraceae/Laurel Family

Common Name: Camphor tree Synonymy: Cinnamomum camphora (L.) Nees & Eberm., Camphora camphora (L.) H. Karst. Origin: Eastern Asia (China, Taiwan, Korea)

Botanical Description: Evergreen tree potentially to 20 m (65 ft). Twigs green or reddish green; all vegetative parts glabrous; cut stems and bruised leaves giving off a strong aroma of camphor. Leaves simple, alternate; blades entire but may have wavy margins, mostly ovate, 4-10 cm (1.5-4 in) long and 2-5 cm (0.8-2 in) broad, glossy green above, duller green below, with impressed glands below at major veins. Flowers small, greenish- white to cream, in loose panicles on branchlets of season; 6 petaloid parts; 12 stamen parts, usually 5-9 fertile stamens plus smaller sterile staminodes. Fruits small, subglobose drupes, black, seated on persistent floral tubes.

Ecological Significance: Occurs primarily in drier disturbed areas such as roadsides and fencerows, but has invaded natural areas such as mesic hammocks, upland pine woods, and scrubland (e.g., taking over space in Polk County scrub inhabited by the federally endangered native plant, Ziziphus celata, or Florida jujube). Reported by natural-area managers as infesting particular parks in 14 counties (EPPC 1996). Introduced to Florida in 1875 and later established in plantations to promote camphor production, but the venture proved unprofitable (Lakela and Wunderlin 1980). Still sold as a shade tree and for windbreaks.

Distribution: Most commonly naturalized in north and central Florida, but also escapes cultivation in southern peninsula (Godfrey 1988, Long and Lakela 1971, Wunderlin 1982). Naturalized also in Georgia and west to Texas (Small 1933). Cultivated as well in other southern states: Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and the Carolinas (Meyer et al. 1994), and in southern California (Bailey and Bailey 1976). By 1997, documented as locally common in the flora from Texas to the Carolinas (van der Werff 1997). L A K

Leaf, mature fruit

92 camphor tree

Life History: Main trunk often stout with several secondary trunks arising from it, all supporting a dense evergreen canopy. National co-champion trees found in Florida (in cultivation), in Hardee and Pasco counties, with heights of 22 m (72 ft) and main trunk circumferences of about 9 m (31 ft) (NRBT 1994). Fruits normally abundant on mature trees, with birds often seen to “frolic and feast” on them particularly during late winter (Kurz and Godfrey 1962). For extraction of camphor (an ethereal oil), young shoots distilled; old trees felled, chipped, and the wood steam-distilled (Willis 1973). Wood also used for cabinetwork (Bailey and Bailey 1976). L A K

In hammock, Lake Jessup conservation area A C L

Flowers 93 Paederia foetida L. Rubiaceae/Madder Family

Common Names: Skunk vine, Chinese fever vine Synonymy: Paederia scandens Lour., P. chinensis Hance, P. tomentosa Blume Origin: Eastern and southern Asia

Botanical Description: Perennial twining vine from woody rootstock; stems to 7 m (23 ft) or more, climbing, or prostrate and rooting at the nodes. Leaves opposite (rarely in whorls of 3), with conspicuous stipules; petioles commonly to 6 cm (2.4 in) long; blades entire, oval to linear-lanceolate, 2-11 cm (1-4.3 in) long, hairy or glabrous, often lobed at base; leaves and stems with disagreeable odor, especially when crushed. Flowers small, grayish pink or lilac, in broad or long, “leafy,” curving clusters, terminal or at leaf axils; corolla densely hairy, tubular with 5 (usually) spreading lobes. Fruit a shiny brown, nearly globose capsule, to 0.7 cm (0.3 in) wide, with 2 black, roundish seeds, these often dotted with white raphides.

NOTE: May be confused with the closely related, also naturalized, sewer vine, P. cruddasiana Prain, but its fruits oval, flattened, with distinctly winged seeds.

Ecological Significance: Introduced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture before 1897 as a potential fiber plant; by 1916 already “a troublesome weed” around the Brooksville Field Station (Morton 1976). Noted as escaping to thickets and fence rows in peninsular Florida by Small (1933). Considered an economically important weed by 1977 (Reed 1977). Occurs most often in tree gaps and other disturbed areas in its native range (Puff 1991). In Florida, invades various native plant communities, including sandhill, flood- plain, and upland mixed forest. Can create dense canopies leading to damage or death of native vegetation (Gann and Gordon 1998). In Orange County, found in relatively wet areas, growing on wetland natives such as dahoon holly (Ilex cassine L.). Has smothered out portions of one of the few remaining populations of the endemic, federally endangered Cooley’s water willow (Justicia cooleyi Monachino & Leonard) (S. Bowman, Native Plant Society, and D. Martin, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 1995 personal communica- tions). Reported from nearly 20 natural areas in Hillsborough, Hernando, Pasco, Citrus, Marion, Sumter, Lake, Orange, and Polk counties (EPPC 1996). L A K

Flowers, leaves 124 Skunk vine

Distribution: Occurs most commonly in west central Florida, but also documented northward to Suwannee and Gadsden counties by herbarium specimens (Wunderlin et al. 1996) and by sight records for Duval County (Martin 1995) and Franklin County (W. Miley, Apalachicola National Estuarine Reserve, 1996 personal communication). Also naturalized in Louisiana and South Carolina, although perhaps not persisting there (Gann-Matzen 1994). A principal or common weed in Hawaii, present as a weed in Brazil; in its native range, a serious weed in New Guinea (Holm et al. 1979).

Life History: Fast-growing; shows wide-ranging adaptability to different light, soil, and salt conditions (Puff 1991). Able to establish and grow above the frost line, though some leaves may turn yellow-red or drop following a freeze (G. Greger, City of Winter Park, and K. C. Burks, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, personal observations). Sensitive to fire (Gann and Gordon 1998). Flowers and fruits mostly in summer and fall; seeds may be dispersed by birds (Gann-Matzen 1994). May also be spread by accidental transport of rooted fragments. L L A A K K

Mature fruits Growing over native vegetation, Pasco County 125 Sapium sebiferum (L.) Roxb. Euphorbiaceae/Spurge Family

Common Names: Chinese tallow tree, popcorn tree Synonymy: Croton sebiferus L., Stillingia sebifera Michx., Triadica sebifera (L.) Small Origin: Eastern Asia

Botanical Description: Deciduous tree to 16 m (52 ft), commonly to 10 m (33 ft). Sap milky. Leaves simple, alternate; blades entire, broadly ovate, 3-6 cm (1-2.5 in) wide, with broadly rounded bases and abruptly acuminate (tapering to a slender point) tips; petioles slender, 2-5 cm (1-2 in) long. Flowers small, yellow, borne on spikes to 20 cm (8 in) long, with 2-3 sepals (petals absent), 2-3 stamens or 3 styles (plants monoecious). Fruit a 3-lobed capsule, 1 cm (0.5 in) wide, turning brown and splitting open at maturity to reveal 3 dull white seeds, which remain attached for a time.

Ecological Significance: Considered a common agricultural weed in Taiwan, requiring constant effort and expense to hold at bay (Holm et al. 1979). Introduced repeatedly to the United States as an ornamental and potential oil crop species (Jones and McLeod 1989). Considered an invasive pest plant in the Carolinas since the 1970s. Has expanded its range on the United States Gulf Coast in low-lying areas, becoming dominant and spreading along roadside ditches and into areas where the soil stays wet (Cameron and LaPoint 1978). Also thrives in upland, well-drained areas near human habitation and in undisturbed areas such as closed canopy forests, in bottomland hardwood forests, shores of waterbodies, and sometimes on floating islands (Godfrey 1988). Survives in both poorly drained freshwater and saline soils as well (Scheld and Cowles 1981). Tends to take over large areas (Bonner 1974). L A K

Flowers

74 chinese tallow tree

Distribution: Naturalized in outer coastal plain of South Carolina and adjacent North Carolina, also in Richmond County, North Carolina (Radford et al. 1968), south through Florida, and west to eastern Texas (Godfrey 1988). Found throughout Florida south to Manatee County on the Gulf coast and St. Lucie County on the Atlantic coast (Jubinsky 1993). Has potential range through southern Florida to the upper Florida Keys (Broschat and Meerow 1991). Recently found naturalized in Dade County (Wunderlin et al. 1995), and by 1996 (Jubinsky and Anderson), recorded as naturalized in 57% of Florida’s counties.

Life History: Early growth rate very rapid with flowering and fruiting from the time the tree is about 1 m (3.3 ft) tall. Also suckers from stumps. Flowers in spring (Broschat and Meerow 1991), with fruit ripening August to November. Seeds primarily dispersed by birds and water (Jubinsky 1993). L A K

Persisting white seeds L A K

In Lake Jessup conservation area

75 Solanum viarum Dunal Solanaceae/Nightshade Family

Common Names: Tropical soda apple, Sodom apple Synonymy: Solanum khasianum var. chatterjeeanum Sen Gupta Origin: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina

Botanical Description: Bushy, prickly herbaceous perennial, to 2 m (6 ft) tall, more commonly 1 m (3 ft) tall; stems armed with broad-based, straight or downward-pointing prickles and clothed in a mixture of stellate and simple glandular or nonglandular hairs (viscid-pubescent). Leaves alternate, simple, clearly petioled (these also prickly); blades oval-triangular, nearly as broad as long, to 20 cm (8 in) long and 15 cm (6 in) wide, angular-lobed; surfaces dense with fine soft hairs giving blades a velvety sheen (hairs a mix of types as on stems); veins prickly. Flowers white, in small terminal clusters; 5 petals white, recurved; stamens with prominent cream-colored anthers. Fruit a globose berry, 2- 3 cm (0.8-1.2 in) wide, green with dark veining, like a tiny watermelon, when immature, dull medium yellow when ripe; seeds about 400 per berry.

NOTE: Distinguished in Florida from other prickly Solanum spp. by its straight prickles, mixture of stellate and simple hairs with and without glands, clearly petioled leaves with a velvety sheen, terminal flower clusters, and yellow berries that are dark-veined when young.

Ecological Significance: A recent accidental introduction, exact means unknown; first collected in Florida in 1988; found in pastures and other open disturbed sites of Glades, Okeechobee, and Polk counties (Wunderlin et al. 1993). From 1990 to 1996, Florida’s infestation estimated to have increased from 10,000 ha (25,000 acres) to 200,000 ha (500,000 acres), becoming a major concern of agriculture and a serious threat to Florida natural areas (J. Mullahey, University of Florida, 1997 personal communication). Re- ported from over 20 natural areas, including local, state, and federal preserves, from as far north as Alachua County (EPPC 1996). Outcompetes native plants, crowding or shading them out (observations of several natural-area managers). M J

Flower

134 tropical soda apple

Distribution: Has spread north in Florida to the Panhandle, with herbarium specimens recorded for 17 counties (Wunderlin et al. 1995). Now a common weed in fields and groves, a frequent one along roadsides, and turning up more often at pineland and hammock edges. Also present now in adjoining states (Mullahey et al. 1996). Naturalized also in the West Indies, Mexico, Africa, and India (Wunderlin et al. 1993).

Life History: Reaches maturity from seed within 105 days (Mullahey and Cornell 1994). Green stems persist in mild winter temperatures (Coile 1993). Less productive or may die in summer when standing in water (Mullahey and Colvin 1993). Can regenerate shoots from extensive root system; difficult to eradicate (Akanda et al. 1996). Flowers and fruits primarily from September through May, with few fruits produced in summer. Produces 40,000 to 50,000 seeds per plant, with a tested germination rate of 30-100% (Mullahey et al. 1993). Seeds dispersed by birds and other animals, including cattle, deer, feral pigs, and raccoons (Akanda et al. 1996). Also spread by seed-contaminated hay, sod, and machinery. M M J J

In rangeland Leaves M J

Fruits

135 imperata cylindrica (L.) Raeuschel Poaceae (Gramineae)/Grass Family

Common Name: Cogon grass Synonymy: Imperata cylindrica (L.) Beauv.; I. brasiliensis Trinius misapplied Origin: Southeast Asia

Botanical Description: Perennial grass, growing in loose or compact tufts, from stout, extensively creeping, scaly rhizomes with sharp-pointed tips. Leaf sheaths relatively short, glabrous or pubescent; ligule a membrane, 0.5-1 mm long. Leaf blades erect, narrow and pubescent at base, flat and glabrous above, to 1.2 m (4 ft) tall and to 2 cm (< 1 in) wide, with whitish midvein noticeably off-center; blade margins scabrous, blade tips sharp pointed. Inflorescence a narrow, dense terminal panicle, white silky and plume-like, to 21 cm (8 in) long and 3.5 cm (1.5 in) wide. Spikelets crowded, paired on unequal stalks, with each spikelet surrounded by long white hairs.

Ecological Significance: Considered one of the top 10 worst weeds in the world, reported by 73 countries as a pest in a total of 35 crops (Holm et al. 1977). Introduced to the United States in 1911 near Mobile, Alabama as packing material in a shipment of plants from Japan (Dickens 1974, Tabor 1949, Tabor 1952); and into Mississippi as a forage crop from the Philippines before 1920 (Dickens and Buchanan 1971, Patterson et al. 1979, Tabor 1949 and 1952, Tanner and Werner 1986). Replanted to Florida from Mississippi for forage and soil stabilization in Gainesville, Brooksville, and Withla- coochee (Hall 1983, Tabor 1949)—these areas now with high densities of naturalized populations (Dickens and Buchanan 1971, Willard 1988). By 1949, more than 405 ha (1,000 acres) of the grass established in central and northwest Florida (Dickens 1974). Now frequent along transportation and utility corridors throughout Florida. Has invaded dry to moist natural areas in over 20 counties (EPPC 1996), including habitats of federally listed endangered and threatened native plant species (K. C. Burks, Florida Depart- ment of Environmental Protection, 1997 personal communication). M S

Leaf blade, off-center midvein

38 cogon grass

Distribution: Commonly found in humid tropics but has spread to warm temperate zones worldwide (Hubbard et al. 1944). Currently reported for all of Florida, plus parts of Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi, along with an adventive (but perhaps not persistent) population in South Carolina (Allen and Thomas 1991, Elmore 1986, Bryson and Carter 1993).

Life History: Fast-growing; thrives in areas of minimal tillage, such as orchards, lawns, and roadsides (Patterson et al. 1979). Produces new rhizomes readily, facilitating the plant’s spread at newly colonized sites; can propagate by rhizome fragments but does not survive well under regular deep tilling (Wilcut et al. 1988). Roots and rhizomes remark- ably resistant to fire (Bryson and Carter 1993). Disperses over long distances into a variety of habitats by windborne seeds (Bryson and Carter 1993). Flowers in spring or fall, or year-round in central and south Florida (Willard 1988). J D

In Everglades National Park (foreground) M S

Dense panicle

39 Albizia julibrissin mimosa tree Albizia julibrissin mimosa tree

Appearance: Perennial shrub or tree up to 10 m (13 ft) tall, spreading. Leaves: Alternate, twice divided, pinnae 6–30, leaets 10–40; 10–17 mm (0.4–0.7 in) long. Flowers: Perfect; petals 5, 6–8 mm (0.25–0.35 in) long, distinct, pinkish-colored; numerous stamens, 2–3 cm (0.75–1 in) long. Looks like a pink powderpu due to the many long stamens. Fruit: A long, at pod, 8–15 cm (3–6 in) long, about 2 cm (0.75 in) wide.

Ecological threat: Category I – Invasive exotics that are altering native plant communities by displacing native species, changing community structures or ecological functions, or hybridizing with natives. FLEPPC Category I

Distribution: NW, NE, C, SW

Field Notations Fieldld Notations

ALBIJULI/ALJU

http://plants.ifas.u.edu http://plants.ifas.u.edu Urena lobata Caesar’s weed Urena lobata Caesar’s weed

Appearance: Herbaceous or shrubby perennial, 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) tall; entire plant covered with star-shaped hairs. Leaves: Alternate, petioles to 3 cm (1 in) long; blades broadly ovate to suborbicular-quadrate, to 10 cm (4 in) long; apex usually shallowly lobed or angled, margin toothed, densely stellate-hairy on the lower surface, less hairy on the upper surface. Flowers: Solitary or in fascicles from axils; petals pink, to 1.5 cm (0.6 in) long. Fruit: A 5-lobed capsule, 5–6 mm (0.2–0.25 in) long; stellate-hairy, covered with numerous, sti barbed spines.

Ecological threat: FLEPPC Category II – Invasive exotics that have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species.

Distribution: NW, NE, C, SW, SE

Field Notations Field Notations

URENLOBA/URLO

http://plants.ifas.u.edu http://plants.ifas.u.edu