The Ball Moss Air Plant, a member of the bromeliad family, resembles moss but is not true moss. It grows on trees, absorbing moisture and nutrients through its leaves without harming them. Florida hosts about sixteen native air plant species, but some are endangered due to habitat loss. They thrive in humid, coastal environments.
Tag: nature
What to Do After a Freeze: A North Florida Guide to Tropical Plant Recovery
After a winter freeze, patience is essential for recovering tropical plants in North Florida. Despite their sad appearance, damaged foliage protects healthy tissue. Key advice includes leaving plants undisturbed until spring, as many can revive. Careful pruning, delayed until new growth appears, can aid in recovery, ensuring a resilient garden.
Red-Shouldered Hawks in Florida: A Familiar Forest Raptor
I was driving home on Ocean Blvd. in Atlantic Beach and spotted two very majestic-looking birds on a street sign. I later learned they were red-shouldered hawks, are the most common raptors in the state. If you spend time near wetlands, wooded neighborhoods, or forest edges in Florida, you might have heard the sharp, ringing … Continue reading Red-Shouldered Hawks in Florida: A Familiar Forest Raptor
Eating Black Viola Flowers: Growing and Cooking with this Dark Beauty
I've started giving edible flowers a try in my Gardyn hydroponic stand, and my Black Viola flowers are now blooming, and they are delicious! Read on to learn about these beautiful black flowers, with tips on growing and using them in cooking. Closeup of Black Viola Flower What Is a Black Viola Flower? The Black … Continue reading Eating Black Viola Flowers: Growing and Cooking with this Dark Beauty
What Are Bagworms? The Tiny Hitchhikers You Don’t Want in Your Florida Yard
Yesterday I spotted a strange little cocoon hanging from a leaf, and saw it start wiggling. Then a little worm popped out of the top and went back in. I had just seen my first bagworm! At first glance, these mini mummies seem harmless, but inside that tiny, camouflaged case is a voracious caterpillar just … Continue reading What Are Bagworms? The Tiny Hitchhikers You Don’t Want in Your Florida Yard
Keane & Coastal 