Hydrocotyl verticillata
Forb/Herb; Perennial
Native: L 48, Hawaii, introduced
Blooming: May, white
Location: N 30 00.846 W 084 34.576 (3.8RR), N 30 00.829 W 084 34.395 (?RR)
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Archives for the month of: May, 2014
Eumorpha fasciatus
Family: Sphingidae
Adult size: Wingspan 3 7/16-3 13/16 inches
Habitat: tropical, subtropical, astral lowlands
Range: Northern Argentina through Central American; Mexico to southern California and southern Arizona east to Florida; north to Missouri, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and Nova Scotia
Habits: Adults feed after dark; Caterpillars pupate in shallow chambers in soil
Food: Adults: nectar; Caterpillars: primrose willow or evening primrose family & other plants
Source: Butterflies and Moths of North America
This moth alighted on Ed’s arm as we were searching through the rushes for a stem to identify whether that plant was a sedge (it has edges), rush (it is round), or a grass (it has joints). It would have stayed there longer than the time we had, so we waved it in the air to flight.
Osmunda cinnamomea
forbe/herb, perennial
Native: Canada, PR, L 48
Frond development: April
Location: Nick’s Road primitive camp site, along Womack creek
Cinnamon ferns thrive after being burned in managed burns, and may colonize after a fire. In the everglades, however, ferns growing in areas not subject to burning are thicker than in areas which have been burned.
In southeastern NC, while still young, cinnamon ferns are the second choice to cane, of foraging cattle. White tailed deer in SE Virginia have been seen grazing on the fronds. The leaves are not consider palatable to animals.
The area where this stand of ferns was photographed was with 6 months subject to a managed burn. The photo was taken in mid May, 2014.
Saurus cernuus
Forb/herb, perennial
Native: L48 and Canada
Blooming: May, white
Location: N 30 00.132, W 084 32.996 (.75 RL), N 30 00.102, W 084 32.477 (.2RR)
Carex atlantica ssp capillacea
Monocot
Perennial; Native to L 48 & Canada
Height: 18 inches at maturity; maximum height about 20 inches
Blooming: March
Reproduction: Seeds in early summer
pH tolerance: 4.5 – 6
Location: N 30 00.417 W 084 33.838 (2.3 RR)
Salinity tolerance: low
Nerodia fasciata fasciata
Adult size: 24-42 inches, record 60 inches
Range: Florida up coastal plains to North Carolina; southwestern Alabama.
Habitat: Freshwater ponds, streams, rivers and marshes
Habit: Non-venomous. When threatened excudes musky smell and can bite. Active mostly at night.
Food: Fishes, frogs, salamanders, crayfish and tadpoles.
Reproduction: Mate in spring, 7 1/2-9 1/2 inches young in summer.
Source: Florida Museum of Natural History, UFL
Nerodia erythrogaster erythrogaster
Adult size: 28-48 inches, record is 62 inches
Range: Northern peninsula of Florida, Florida panhandle. In western panhandle interbreed with yellobelly water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster). Also found in southern Alabama, along the northern coastal plain to Virginia.
Habitat: rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps and cypress strands.
Habit: Non-venomous. In the heat of summer active in early morning, later afternoon and night.
Food: Fishes and frogs
Reproduction: Live bearing, 11-30 young 9-11 1/2 inches.
Source: Florida Museum of Natural History, UFL.
Chasmanthium latifolium
Monocot
Perennial, native
Blooming:
Location: N 30 00.105 W084 32.520 (.2RR)
Height: up to 4 feet, but usually shorter
Good groundcover for eroding, shady areas in moist to well-drained soils. Will not thrive in intense sunlight. Salt tolerant.
Seeds are eaten by birds and rodents. The leaf is used by Linda’s Roadside Skipper (OK) for eggs.
Photographed November 10, 2016.
Libellula vibrans
Either female or immature male
Habitats: ponds, slow streams and especially swamps
Frequency: common April, May, June, July, August, September
Behaviour: unwary
Information from Giff Beaton, Dragonflies and Damselflies of Georgia and the Southeast.
