The Nature Coastline

Newsletter of the Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society

A Message from the President

Learn, meet new friends with like interests and have some fun……. Holiday time! Our winter residents glass, wood, iron. The creativity is end- are back and I don’t mean the birds! less and a great place to purchase Families are getting together. People Holiday gifts. are shopping for gifts. Everyone is in- Laura Starkey, owner of Heartwood volved and busy. Some of this activity Preserve, will lead us on a terrific field NOVEMBER-DECEMBER should be outdoors. This is the per- trip of the Heartwood Preserve on 2019 fect time of year for field trips, work- In this issue: Nov 23rd. You will be astounded with ing in the yard and participating in our the work she has done. It is an amaz- chapter programs. Check out the sug- Meetings/Programs and ing preserve with an important pur- gestions in the newsletter, as well as Field Trips pose. by Pat Kelly on our website, And don’t forget our Holiday Potluck http://www.pasconativeplants.org th party and silent auction on Dec. 10 . Calendar http://naturecoast.fnpschapters.org The food is always spectacular, and the items for the silent auction are In the Spotlight For those of us that need some moti- vation and know-how in our gardens, fabulous. Great for Holiday gifts. If Mary Ellen Gotto is presenting you have something you would like to Plant Profile: “Native Plant Workshop 101” on Nov donate, call Jean Nixon at 813-996- Red Anise 9th. She will help the newer members 9759 or Nancy Heusted at 727-515- 1642. (Illicium floridanum) of the chapter and folks interested in by Peggy Gretchen planting natives by giving us her ex- Thank you for being members of the periences, successes and failures. Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida The Upcycle Festival, Nov. 16th is a Native Plant Society. Without you, we fun opportunity to enjoy a day out could not fulfill our mission of preserv- with the whole family, volunteer at ing, conserving and restoring native our outreach table and encourage plants and native plant communities new memberships. Every vendor has of Florida. items crafted from recycled products, Jonnie Spitler, President

The Mission of the Florida Native Plant Society is to promote the preservation, conservation, and restoration of the native plants and native plant communities of Florida. Nature Coast Chapter meetings, field trips, The Society fulfills its mission through: and activities are open to FNPS members and  Support for conservation land acquisition the public alike.  Land management that enhances habitat suitabil- ity for native plants Monthly meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each  Education month at 7 p.m.  Public policies that protect our native flora, espe- Location: cially rare species Land O’ Lakes Community Center  Research on native plant species 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd (US 41)  Encouragement of local landscaping practices and Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639 policies that preserve Florida's native plant heri-

In the back meeting room. Entrance is off tage the courtyard - on the south side of the building. To become a member go to FNPS.org and click on “Join/Support” at the upper right-hand corner of screen. Print form, complete, and mail form to FNPS, Chapter website: pasconativeplants.org or call. You may also join at a chapter meeting. Chapter E-mail: [email protected] www.facebook.com/PascoNativePlants twitter.com/NatureCoastFNPS MEMBERSHIP LEVELS FNPS website: http://www.fnps.org/ Gold $500 Patron $250 Business $150 Non-Profit $150 Supporting $100 Household $50 A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL Individual $35 Full Time Student $15 INFORMATION FOR THE FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY, A

FLORIDA-BASED NONPROFIT CORPORATION (REGISTRATION OR BOOST YOUR SUPPORT by renewing as a Sustain- NO. CH3021), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF ing Member -- easy $10 monthly payments automati- CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-HELP- cally and securely charged to your credit card. CREDIT FLA (435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR VISITING THEIR WEB- CARD PAYMENT REQUIRED. No checks/invoicing. Sus- SITE AT csapp.800helpfla.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT taining membership remains in effect as long as you IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, wish and your card number is valid.

OFFICERS: President: Jonnie Spitler 813.435.8143 [email protected]

Vice President: Mary Ellen Gotto 727.264.8701 [email protected] Treasurer: Peter Gonzalez 813.416.2375 [email protected] Secretary & Website Coordinator: Cheryl McAloon 813.928.7724 [email protected] Chapter Representative, Field Trip Chair & Facebook Administrator: Gail Parsons 813.920.2730 [email protected]

CHAIRPERSONS: Newsletter Editor: Karen Wright 813.468.9201 [email protected] Publicity Chair: Sandra Vanno 727.207.1853 [email protected] Membership: Deb Tribbey 727.857.6583 [email protected] Library Chair: Sharon Holding 727.247.7367 [email protected] Refreshments: Rebecca Dance 813.368.9041 [email protected] Conservation Chair: Jan Howie 727.848.7689 [email protected] CHAPTER Program Chair: Pat Kelly 352.424.2224 [email protected] DIRECTORY Plant Sale Coordinator: Peggy Gretchen 813.991.4812 [email protected] Volunteer Coordinator: Jean Nixon [email protected] Website Chairperson Melisa Perkins 813 417-5506 [email protected] Meetings/Programs November 12, 7 PM How the Long Leaf Pine keeps its cool under fire Speaker: Laura Starkey

The longleaf pine has adapted to fire Laura Starkey is the founder and Executive Director of over thousands of years. Laura will Heartwood Preserve Conservation Cemetery, a natural talk about the many ways this amazing cemetery and nature preserve located in Trinity. A and majestic tree not only survives third-generation Floridian, Laura began Heartwood forest fire, but actually thrives be- Preserve on a corner of her family’s former cattle cause of it. ranch as a way to protect an intact longleaf pine flat- woods ecosystem. She is the granddaughter of Jay B Starkey Sr, namesake of the Jay B Starkey Wilderness Park. Laura is a Prescribed Burn Manager, which means she gets to set the woods on fire. December 10, 7 PM

Holiday Party NOTE: We need donations for the Silent Auction. This Join us for our annual Holiday Party - could be jewelry, art work, gift certificate, themed guests are welcome! We will have a gift basket, sports tickets, use of a vacation home, fabulous dish-to-pass supper, a Silent etc. Contact Nancy Heusted at (727) 515-1642; Auction and 2020 photo calendars of [email protected] native Florida for sale. Field Trips

Saturday, November 23 The Heartwood Preserve, a nature preserve and con- Starkey Pine Flatwoods servation cemetery located in Trinity, is part of the former Starkey Ranch and borders the 18,000 acre Time 9:30 a.m. Starkey Wilderness Preserve. As we explore the long- 4100 Starkey Boulevard, Trinity, Fl 34655 leaf and slash pine flatwoods habitat we’ll discuss these two pines’ differences and similarities. We will Directions From: also see a cypress wetlands and discover many plant species that are commonly found in these two highly South - SR 54 to Starkey Blvd. Entrance is 1.5 miles diverse ecosystem. The results of the prescribed fire north on the right. burn, both in July 2018 and June 2019, will be on dis- North - SR 52 to Decubellis Rd to Starkey Blvd. En- play and we can expect to see many wildflowers in trance is 4 miles on the left with the entrance sign fac- bloom. The area we will explore is about 20 acres, not ing south; make U-turn if you go past it. a long hike but a pleasant walk. The new Welcome Center has restrooms, space to gather, and a water fountain to refill your water bottles. Please bring your own bottle (we eschew disposable water bottles), bug spray and sun protection.

The Nature Coastline 3 Calendar of Events

October 19: Nature Coast Chapter Fall Plant Sale, Land O’Lakes Heritage Park 5401 Land O’Lakes Blvd (Hwy 41) 10am-2pm

November 2: Cypress Acres Nursery End of Fall Plant Sale 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 8632 Ehren Cutoff, Land O’ Lakes Fl 34639 (813) 406-3313 [email protected]

November 2: Native Plant Walk at Lettuce Lake Park 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 6920 East Fletcher Avenue Tampa, Fl 33637 https://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/locations/lettuce-lake-conservation-park Program is free, but the $2 per vehicle (up to eight people) park entry fee applies Walk will last approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours Expect to walk 1 mile Meet at the Visitor's Center 6920 East Fletcher Avenue Tampa, Fl 33637

November 9: Native Plants 101 with Mary Ellen Gotto 10am - 12 noon at the Land O’Lakes Heritage Park 5401 Land O’Lakes Blvd (Hwy 41) Mary Ellen will define what a na- tive plant is and why we should use native plants both for conserving natural resources (water, soil) and sustaining wildlife. She will talk about purchasing and planting native plants and container gardening for those who are unable to "get down" and dig in the soil. Mary Ellen will also mention how she worked around the rules about plantings in her deed- restricted subdivision. There will be photos of her garden plants and handouts.

November 16: Upcycle Festival 10am-5pm Heritage Park 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd, Land O’ Lakes , Fl 34639

December 7: FNPS 4 Chapter Mini-Conference, Brooker Creek 9am-3pm Flyer on next page

December 10: Nature Coast Chapter Xmas Party 7:00 p.m. and silent auction - Start thinking about your donation. Jean Nixon and Nancy Heusted are co-chairs. Contact Nancy Heusted at (727) 515-1642; [email protected]

January 4, 2020: Audubon and Nature Coast Chapter combined presentation at J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd. New Port Richey, FL 34655 11:00 a.m.

The Nature Coastline 4 Field Trip to Colt Creek State Park—Photo taken by Gail Parsons

The Nature Coastline 5 Member Spotlight is on Corrine Goodman

Corrine Goodman has been a member of Nature Coast Chapter since 2012, and a Pasco County Master Gar- dener, keeps in shape as a yoga instructor, lives in Lutz in a lovely home surrounded by her beautiful plants.

How did your interest in native plants begin? When I was studying to become a master gardener, Jeannie Hayes did a class on Native plants in central Flor- ida. It just made sense to me to grow things that were here before I was. My mentor for MG was a woman named Annie Johnson, she is a member of Nature Coast and a staunch na- tive plant person. I admired her ability to identify plants and wanted to learn as much as I could.

Describe some of your achievements? I’ve made plenty of mistakes planting but I’ve learned a lot too. I don’t have an all native yard but a mixture of natives and non-invasive plants. I’m always careful not to plant invasive species. In fact, when I moved to FL in 2007, I brought a silk tree (Pink Mimosa) with me that I started from seed up north. When I learned it was on the invasive list I cried as I removed it from the ground and disposed of it. I also went to the HOA I live in and asked them to bear with me and removed all the grass. I planted a yard that is low maintenance, pesticide free, and green year round. I have four rain barrels instead of an irrigation sys- tem. In 2014 I was awarded the Water Wise yard designation that I proudly display in the front yard.

Describe one of your native plants disasters you would like to share with others Be careful! Just because a plant is native doesn’t mean it will be compliant and only grow where you want it to grow. Always plant using Florida Friendly principles, beginning with the right plant in the right place. Re- search each plant you buy and keep a diary. The first year I tracked the sun in my yard and knew how many hours it was sunny, where it was partial shade and full shade. It’s fun and almost a foolproof formula. There are always exceptions when it comes to plants.

What are your favorite native plants? I love the plants that attract critters best, butterflies, bees, lizards, tree frogs, and moths. One of my favorite moths is the oleander moth. It’s very small and beautiful, with a wingspan of an inch or two about a half inch long black with iridescent blue spotted wing tips. They’re very docile and sit with me in the garden when I’m working. Native milk weed, fire bush, wild coffee and beauty berry are some of my favorites. I’m now looking for Coontie because the Atala butterfly is slowly moving toward north and I’d love to see them in my gar- den.

What advice can you give to other native plants enthusiasts Be patient, gardens are a work in progress, they are never done or complete. It’s great to watch gardeners in a nursery, it is as though they’ve never seen plants before. We want everything and love to experiment. Never be satisfied, keep looking, you never know! When you turn the next corner you might find the perfect plant for that corner of the yard where nothing wants to grow.

The Nature Coastline 6

UF/IFAS Pasco Extension Programs

Nov-2-19 Soil

One Stop Shop (formerly Stallings Bldg.) 15029 14th Street Dade City, Fl 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Nutritious soil is the basis for plant suc- cess. Discover how easy it is to improve our Florida soils and enhance your knowl- The Dade City Youth Council and the Dade edge of what is already in the soil. Come City Garden Club are sponsoring a free, fun, join us at this FREE UF/IFAS Pasco county family event to aimed to educate and cele- Extension seminar. . brate the Monarch Butterfly in Dade City, FL. The event will feature environmental educa- Registration recommended. tors, informational booths, presentations, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/11-2-19- native plant sale, and hands on activities for soil-tickets-70526537773 the kids!

Nov-9-19 The Oddities of Propagation

Land O' Lakes Heritage Park 5401 Land O' Lakes Boulevard Land O' Lakes, FL 34639 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

A fun look at the tricks Mother Nature Member Spotlight Plays. Join us for examples and samples We want to shine a spotlight on you of unusual ways to propagate certain plants that we all know and love. Widen Show off your native plant garden your ability to share more plants with Share your experiences with members friends and loved ones. Black Thumbs welcome. Contact Karen Wright to schedule and she will take photos and write a short Registration recommended. article for the newsletter. s://www.eventbrite.com/e/11-9-19-103- [email protected] the-oddities-of-propagation-tickets- 62059983080

The Nature Coastline 7 RED ANISE or FLORIDA ANISE

By Peggy A. Gretchen FNPS Member Pasco Master Gardener Botanical Name: Illicium floridanum

Common Name: Red Anise, Florida Anise, Florida Anisetree, Star Anise

Family: Illiciaceae (Anisetree or Star Anise)

Type of Plant: Native, erect, evergreen large shrub or small tree with a narrow crown, rounded habit, and densely foliated with dark green, leathery leaves. Usually multi-trunked with dark brown, smooth bark. Height: Usually 6 – 10 ft., up to 25 ft. Width: 3 – 6 ft. Comment: Two species of anise occur in Florida: Red Anise or Florida Anise, Illicium floridanum, and Yellow Anise, Illicium parviflorum. Both are commonly used with success in cultivated and naturalistic landscapes far outside their restricted natural ranges. Yellow Anise occurs in North and Central Florida. It tolerates more sun and will adapt to drier sites more easily.

How to Identify: Leaves: Alternate, simple, entire, blades elliptic, 2 – 6 in. long, about half as wide, dark green, glossy, leathery. Very aromatic when bruised or crushed, similar to licorice or anise. Evergreen. They discolor, droop, and fall as new leaves appear in spring. Flowers: Showy, numerous, usually dark red, about 1.5 in. across, with an interesting radial form and many narrow, linear, ribbon- like, undifferentiated petals + sepals called tepals. Each flower with up to 35 tepals, 40 stamens, and 15 pistils. Pink and white va- rieties are sometimes found in the wild and cultivated. Flowering Time: Spring. Late March – April. Fruit: A brownish, star-shaped capsule, about 1 in. across. The capsule is a cluster of 11 – 15 single-seeded follicles that split open forcibly at maturity to expel the seeds. Appear in late summer and fall.

Habitat: Occasional to rare in wetland habitats such as wooded seepage slopes, wet ravines, creek swamps, along woodland streams, and moist forest under stories. May be found at the edge of standing water wetlands.

Distribution: Southwest Georgia to the central and western Florida Panhandle to southeastern Louisiana. Hardiness Zones: 7 – 9.

Landscape Use / Wildlife Benefit: Although Red Anise has a narrow range in North Florida, it is relatively adaptable into Central Florida landscapes, if care is given to provide for its habitat / cultivation needs. Red Anise is a beautiful evergreen large shrub or small tree with interesting flowers and fruits which does best in moist, shady sites. It may be used as a specimen / accent plant, hedge, screen, understory, large background shrub in a bed or border, or to soften corners of buildings. Also, useful to buffer or beautify retention ponds, drainage swales, and canal banks.

Cultivation: Soil: Adapts to many soil conditions, but prefers moist, sandy to organic, fertile, acidic. Light: Partial shade – Full shade. Will tolerate full sun if the roots are kept wet; however, shade grown plants have more attractive dark green foliage. Water: Prefers consistently moist conditions – will thrive best. May adapt to drier sites in shade. Does not tolerate wet, saturated soils for long periods. Not drought-tolerant. Water well for the first year until fully established. Too much sun and drought will cause leaves to turn yellow and droop, and the plant will eventually fail. Miscellaneous: Not salt-tolerant. Cold hardy. Fast growing, moderate lifespan. Relatively pest free. Highly resistant to deer brows- ing. Foliage and fruit are poisonous to cattle. Prune heavily when young to maintain a dense, rounded, compact form. Mulch well with leaf litter to retain moisture.

Propagation: By fresh seed or cuttings.

Availability: Florida native plant sales and Florida native nurseries. See www.plantrealflorida.org!

References: Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell, Native Florida Plants, Houston, Texas, Gulf Publishing Company, 1999.

Huegel, Craig N., Native Florida Plants for Shady Landscapes, Gainesville, Florida, University Press of Flor- ida, 2015.

Nelson, Gil, Best Native Plants for Southern Gardens, Gainesville, Florida, University Press of Florida, 2010.

Nelson, Gil, Florida’s Best Native Landscape Plants, Gainesville, Florida, University Press of Florida, 2003.

Taylor, Walter Kingsley, Florida Wildflowers, A Comprehensive Guide, Gainesville, Florida, University Press of Florida, 2013.

Tobe, Dr. John D. et al., Florida Wetland Plants An Identification Manual, Tallahassee, Florida, Florida De- partment of Environmental Protection, 1998.

Wasowski, Sally, with Andy Wasowski, Gardening with Native Plants of the South, Dallas, Texas, Taylor Publishing Co., 1994.

Wunderlin, Richard P., Guide to the Vascular Plants of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, University Press of Florida, 1998.

http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/photo.aspx?ID=1528 Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2018. Atlas of Florida Plants (http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Sys- tematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa. Nature Coast Chapter

Florida Native Plant Society

Native Plant Sale Land O’Lakes Heritage Park

5401 Land O Lakes Blvd (US 41) Land O Lakes, FL 34639

Sat. - Oct 19 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

 Large selection of quality nursery grown plants  Native plant books, literature & nursery info  Members on site to answer questions  Plant profile for each plant purchased  Carts for plant transportation  Master Gardener Information table

Web Sites: Florida Native Plant Society: fnps.org Nature Coast Chapter: pasconativeplants.org Facebook.com/PascoNativePlants/ Florida Association of Native Nurseries: fann.org

The Nature Coastline 10