Wildflower Program Outline

4 areas of wildflower involvement
      1)Hunting and identifying, enjoying nature
      2)Preservation of threatened and endangered species
      3) Beautification ofpublic trails, parks, public buildings and roadsides
      4) Private planting, environmentally friendly practices in your own yards

First we need to know what a wildflower truly is :
A true Florida native plant or wildflower is a plant species whose natural range included Florida at the time of European contact, about 1500 AD. This species has been documented to exist growing naturally at that time. There are approximately 2,800 true Florida native plant species
 
A naturalized plant is a non–native species that escaped into the wild and has been growing and reproduced on its own outside of cultivation  without human assistance. Many of these plants have been here for more than 100 years.There are at least 1,300 naturalized plants in Florida. Although the Native Plant Society does not recognize these as native, many people do consider these as natives because they have been here growing naturally for so many years.

A Florida native ecotype wildflower is a wildflower that has been produced from seed or propagation from a documented naturally occurring population of true Florida wildflowers.
 
1.Hunting and Identifying wildflowers

Now that we have identified what a wildflower truly is we can start our expedition….
Some rules to remember:

   1) Observe the laws of trespass and state laws for conservation of threatened and endangered species.
   2) Ask permission from owner on private land before entering
   3) Lift only from colonies of 10 or more, then leave at least half of them
   4) If possibly collect from areas being cleared or disrupted
   5) Take only those for which you can realistically plant immediately
   6) If cutting flowers  NEVER strip a plant of all it’s flowers , leave some for  reproducing seeds.

Hunting for wildflower species  can be sooo much fun. The wonder of God’s creations is awesome…

•    Florida has over 4,100 native and naturalized species

•    There is no point in Florida that is farther than 70 miles from warm marine water. Consequently we have a moist, humid air that combines with       our Florida heat.
•    Florida has plants in bloom 12 months out of the year

•    Florida has several different temperature zones , which makes wildflower hunting an exciting adventure throughout the state

•    There 22 major different terrestrial communities in Florida that produce different wildflowers:
     Pine Flatwoods
     Cabbage Palm Flatwoods
     Scrubby Flatwoods
     Dry Prairies
     Sandhills, Longleaf pines,Turkey Oaks
     Clayhills, Upland Pine Forest
     Scrubs
     Temperate Hardwood Forests
     Upland Hardwood Forests
     Slope Forests
     Bluffs
     Floodplain Forests
     Upland Mixed Forests
     Coastal Uplands
     Beach Dunes
     Coastal Strands
     Coastal Scrubs
     Temperate Coastal Hammocks
     Shell Mounds
     Rockland Pinelands
     Rocky Hardwood Hammocks
     Ruderal Sites
 
 *    When trying to identify a flower remember the size of the bloom, the leaf shape and the leaves at the base of the plant make a big difference       in getting the right plant names. Sometimes even the month it’s blooming will narrow the identification of similar looking species.

2. Preservation of endangered and threatened species
 
        First you must get familiar with what is endangered by reading. Good sources on the internet   are .plantsatlas.usf.edu/   , Florida federation         of Garden Clubs website www.FFGC.org , Florida Native Plant Society http://fnps.org.
        Books that are very helpful are :Field Guide to the Rare Plants of Florida  by Linda G. Chaffin ,Florida Natural Areas Inventory ,www.fnai.org          and Rare ,Threatened, and Endangered Species In Forests of Florida also from the   www.fnai.org.

        Get involved with active legislature to protect areas that have endangered plants. Become aware of endangered species on your own                 property . Plant species that are available at native nurseries that are rare and endangered to help assure their survival for future                         generations. Plant any native plants whenever possible to help preserve our natural ecosystem.

        Florida has 418 endangered species and 104 of those are endemic to Florida. That means they grow nowhere else.

        When cutting timber or clearing property give thought to preserving as many natural areas as possible. Leave wider that required margins at         creeks and lakes and springs so the timber can preserve the shaded area for natural plant growth. Many of our endangered species are in         wet areas.

3. Civic and community beautification of our public buildings, trails, parks, schools and roadsides
 
        Get involved with civic groups like Florida Master Gardeners and Florida Federation of Garden Clubs. If you don’t want to be an active                     member you can support them by coming to their fundraiser plant sales and educational programs. You can also donate to the Roadside                 Beautification program for wildflower plantings on the highways through Wildflowers Mattter, a Florida Ferderation of garden Clubs                     non-profit program for wildflower and native plant beautification. ( wildflowersmatter@defuniak .com or call Dara Dobson 850-859-0096 or         contact the Walton Co. Extension Office )

4. Private planting, environmentally friendly practices in your yards

        Native plants require less water, little or no fertilizer, and no insecticides. They are tolerant of our Florida humid climate.
        Show publications :
        Native Plants for Florida  Home Landscapes
        Wildflowers for North Florida