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Grass

WITCHGRASS (Dichanthelium sp.)

March 28, 2019
Grass
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: WITCHGRASS (Dichanthelium sp.)

When preparing to bloom, this pretty grass gives the yard a pinkish glow, especially when the sun has just risen and it is covered in dew.

Learn: http://floridagrasses.org/Grass_data/Dichanthelium.html

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Dichanthelium

the ISB Atlas of Florida Plants lists 24 species as native to Florida:  http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Genus.aspx?id=27

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STARRUSH WHITETOP (Rhynchospora colorata)

March 27, 2019
Grass, White Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: STARRUSH WHITETOP (Rhynchospora colorata)

A tiny arachnid is patiently waiting.

Although it is called starRUSH, it is actually a sedge. Found where it is wet. Attract insect pollinators, although it is is in the sedge family which is primarily wind-pollinated.

Learn: http://fnps.org/plants/plant/rhynchospora-colorata

Where does it grow in Florida: http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=726

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SOUTHERN UMBRELLASEDGE (Fuirena scirpoidea)

March 11, 2019
Grass, White Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: SOUTHERN UMBRELLASEDGE (Fuirena scirpoidea)

Perennial emersed plant that can have 1-3 spikelets. Usually a stalk 2′ tall, makes a great landing station for odonata 🙂

Learn: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/169

Learn more: http://floridagrasses.org/Sedge_data/Fu_scirpoidea.html

Where does it grow in Florida? http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2451

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HURRICANEGRASS (Fimbristylis cymosa)

October 30, 2018
Grass, Green Blooms, White Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY™?: HURRICANEGRASS (Fimbristylis cymosa)

syn. F. spathacea; Not a grass but a sedge (CYPERACEAE); Also called fringe rush and yet, it isn’t a rush.

The smoothness of the stalk that holds the flower mass had me researching this as a rush. A check of the leaves reveals the characteristic edge feel in the rhyme “sedges have edges…”.

Food for ducks and geese. Low growing.

Learn: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/165

Where does it grow in Florida? http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=1307

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BUSHY BLUESTEM (Andropogon sp. likely glomeratus) GRASS

October 24, 2018
Grass, Green Blooms, Yellow Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY™?: BUSHY BLUESTEM GRASS (Andropogon sp. likely glomeratus)

Very tall, showy native bunch grass. Leave in place to dry over the winter as food for flocks of birds. The warblers will latch on and sway as they dine. Provides cover for wildlife.

Several varieties of this species are native to Florida. This one is most likely A. glomeratus var. pumilus

I cut some to use as a free alternative to cornstalks as Halloween decorations,

Larval Host: Possible larval host plant for Delaware skipper (Anatrytone logan), Georgia satyr (Neonympha areolata), neamathla skipper (Nastra neamathla), swarthy skipper (Nastra lherminier) and twin-spot skipper (Oligoria maculata) butterflies (source: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/andropogon-glomeratus)

Learn: http://floridagrasses.org/Grass_data/An_glomeratus.html

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Andropogon+glomeratus

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3364

My take: http://web.archive.org/web/20130902073424/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/arranging-native-plants/

Seeds available: http://www.floridawildflowers.com/products/Andrapogon-glomeratus-%252d-Bushy-Bluestem.html

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BUSHY BLUESTEM (Andropogon sp. likely glomeratus) GRASS

October 9, 2014
Grass, Green Blooms, Yellow Blooms
3 Comments

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY™?: BUSHY BLUESTEM (Andropogon sp. likely glomeratus)

Very tall, showy native bunch grass. Leave in place to dry over the winter as food for flocks of birds. The warblers will latch on and sway as they dine. Provides cover for wildlife.

Several varieties of this species are native to Florida. This one is most likely A. glomeratus var. pumilus

I cut some to use as a free alternative to cornstalks as Halloween decorations,

Larval Host: Possible larval host plant for Delaware skipper (Anatrytone logan), Georgia satyr (Neonympha areolata), neamathla skipper (Nastra neamathla), swarthy skipper (Nastra lherminier) and twin-spot skipper (Oligoria maculata) butterflies (source: http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/andropogon-glomeratus)

Learn: http://floridagrasses.org/Grass_data/An_glomeratus.html

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Andropogon+glomeratus

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=3364

My take: http://web.archive.org/web/20130902073424/http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/arranging-native-plants/

Seeds available: http://www.floridawildflowers.com/products/Andrapogon-glomeratus-%252d-Bushy-Bluestem.html

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CHALKY BLUESTEM (Andropogon virginicus var. glaucus)

October 8, 2014
Grass, Green Blooms, Yellow Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: CHALKY BLUESTEM (Andropogon virginicus var. glaucus)

Native bunch grass. Interesting to watch the birds sway on the tall stems while dining on the seeds in late autumn and winter.

Seeds feed: song birds

Learn: http://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Andrvirgglau

Larval host: Possible for Delaware skipper (Anatrytone logan), Georgia satyr (Neonympha areolata), neamathla skipper (Nastra neamathla), swarthy skipper (Nastra lherminier) and twin-spot skipper (Oligoria maculata) butterflies.

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Andropogon+virginicus

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=2414

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BIGHEAD RUSH (Juncus megacephalus)

May 14, 2014
Grass, Green Blooms, White Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: BIGHEAD RUSH (Juncus megacephalus)

aka Large-headed rush. Perennial rush that can reach heights of 3 ft. Wet locations. One of 22 juncus species listed as native to Florida by ISB.

Learn: http://eol.org/pages/631038/overview

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Juncus

Where does it grow in Florida? http://www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/Plant.aspx?id=785

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HURRICANEGRASS (Fimbristylis cymosa)

October 24, 2013
Grass, Green Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: HURRICANEGRASS (Fimbristylis cymosa)

syn. F. spathacea; Not a grass but a sedge (CYPERACEAE); Also called fringe rush and yet, it isn’t a rush.

The smoothness of the stalk that holds the flower had me researching this as a rush. A check of the leaves reveals the characteristic edge feel in the rhyme “sedges have edges…”.

Food for ducks and geese.

Learn: http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/165

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BUSHY BLUESTEM (Andropogon spp. likely glomeratus)

October 16, 2013
Grass
1 Comment

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: BUSHY BLUESTEM (Andropogon spp. likely glomeratus)

Very tall, showy native bunch grass. Leave in place to dry over the winter as food for flocks of birds. The warblers will latch on and sway as they dine.

I cut some to use as a free alternative to cornstalks as Halloween decorations,

Learn: http://floridagrasses.org/Grass_data/An_glomeratus.html

My take: http://nativeplantwildlifegarden.com/arranging-native-plants/

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Andropogon

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FRAGRANT SPIKESEDGE (Kyllinga odorata)

June 30, 2013
Grass, White Blooms
2 Comments

WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: FRAGRANT SPIKESEDGE (Kyllinga odorata)

Considered by some to be a weed of turfgrass. How anyone could like turfgrass better than this pretty little thing is beyond my comprehension.

I find several websites that say it is non-native, but the USDA Plants Database, ISB Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants and Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center all agree that it is native to U.S.

Learn: http://sagebud.com/fragrant-spikesedge-kyllinga-odorata/

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WIREGRASS (Aristida spp. likely stricta)

March 5, 2013
Grass, Green Blooms
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WHAT FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT IS BLOOMING TODAY?: WIREGRASS (Aristida spp. likely stricta)

a.k.a. pineland threeawn

Feeds gopher tortoises, deer, quail and other birds. Provides cover for birds, reptiles, and small mammals. forage for livestock.

Learn: http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/extension/4h/plants/Wiregrass/index.html

Native American Ethnobotany for this genus: http://herb.umd.umich.edu/herb/search.pl?searchstring=Aristida
http://www.fnps.org/plants/plant/aristida-stricta-var-beyrichiana

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