The winters in north Florida are always (relatively) pleasant, especially when compared to the rest of the country. While ice-age conditions may be inflicting a polar environment on the Midwest and New England, here in the panhandle the season of short days and long nights only means the lawnmowers get a rest.
Even with the recent freezes and frosty mornings which have temporarily eliminated the hardiest of summer’s wildflowers, their winter counterparts are basking in the salubrious and crisp days currently here.
Late winter in local natural areas has numerous color and texture selections coming to life, many underfoot and overlooked by humanity. The monochromatic browns and grays are yielding to a bright pallet of hues and shades which change on a daily basis.
Under pine trees the common blue violets are currently blooming. Viola sororia, the scientific name for this native plant, provides a stark color contrast to the leaf litter and pine needles it thrives in.
Blue Violets are changing the appearance of panhandle Florida’s forest floors. This delicate perennial will continue its blooming until the weather warms.
This delicate herbaceous plant is an early bloomer with inch wide blooms which are commonly bluish-purple. These violets are self-pollinating perennials which flourish in the filtered light under tree canopies.
The heavy mulch layer in forest settings provides consistently moist soil and ample organic matter for successful growth. Seed heads form in the late summer and early autumn, and are scattered by birds, other animals, and weather events.
Carolina Jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is also adding color to the forest floor. This perennial vine is known for its aggressive climbing and prolific colonization of trees, fences and any other stationary structure it can ascend.
Clusters of golden yellow blooms are swaying in the late winter gusts and are perfuming the air. Native and exotic pollinators are enticed to the attractive offering, but some do not benefit.
The nectar is toxic to European honeybees, but it may benefit native bumblebees. It is thought the alkaloid toxin helps bumblebees with parasite control.
As the blooms mature and fall off the thin vines, they land in bunches under the trees which support this evergreen native. The blooms maintain their shape and color for several days after dropping off, enough time to create a carpet of gold sprinkles.
The Roundleaf Bluet (Houstonia procumbens) or as it is sometimes called “Innocence” is peering through dead grass and pine needles. This tiny white flower is about the size of a dime and appears in clusters.
Roundleaf Bluets are nestled among the leaves and pine straw, producing clusters of tiny white flowers in stark contrast to the brown debris covering the forest floor.
The blooms have four evenly spaced pedals and prefer filtered light and heavy mulch, like the violet. This perennial is native to the lower southeastern U.S. and gradually fades away as the days become warmer.
A multi-color bloomer with the descriptive common name Horse-sugar (Symplocos tinctoria) is currently in flower. The identification originated because horses were attracted to the sweet tasting leaves.
This woody native prefers woods, thickets and borders of streams. A shrub or small deciduous tree, it is also known as Sweetleaf. Its strong, sweet-smelling blooms make it worthwhile to look up from the forest floor.
Underfoot or overhead, native winter wildflowers add color to a season known for bleak shades and tones.
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