As summer fades to autumn in less than a week, the color pallet of the region’s landscape is gradually changing. Unlike latitudes to the north, panhandle Florida’s fall colors come in a rainbow of wildflower shades.
Generally speaking, early fall’s wildflowers come in one of four tint categories. White, yellow, green and purple cover the spectrum of the current flowers found in nature, be they annuals or perennials.
Historically, purple has been the color of royalty and aristocracy. This trend began over 3,000 years ago in the eastern Mediterranean region near the Lebanese city of Tyre.
A natural purple dye for fabrics was extracted from a marine snail found in adjacent coastal waters. It took thousands of these gastropods to produce the desired textile tone and was very expensive to acquire because of the labor cost.
Naturally, only the local nobility could afford the distinctive dye. Over time elites from other countries developed a taste for the color, and its distinctive rarity.
Fortunately, there is plenty of regal purple to enjoy in the wild areas of this region. One of the most common are morning glories.
Most species of morning glories will climb structures near to where they germinate. The scramble to the top is an effort maximize their sun exposure so they bloom and produce seeds.
The genus Ipomoea includes several native species of morning glories which come in a variety of colors. All are vines which will climb almost any stationary structure or object.
The blooms unfurl early in the day, but wilt as the sun moves past noon. Still, this plant grows best with full sun exposure.
Glades Morning Glories have a distinctive pale purple hue. I. sagittat, as this species is botanically known, is found in coastal regions and is salt tolerant.
In ideal conditions it will form a dense twining foliage mat topped by purple trumpet-shaped blooms. Its seeds are spread by wind, water and animals, especially birds.
Sometimes seed racks will offer several named cultivars of morning glories, but most of these perennials are randomly established by nature.
Another native delivering purple is blazing star. Sandy, well drained soils commonly found in north Florida pinelands are where these plants are most likely to be encountered.
These plants, which are in the same botanical family as asters and daisies, are not likely to be found in coastal areas. Its blooms are column-shaped and are sometime confused with lupines.
This wildflower’s salt tolerance is low and coastal soils tend to be alkaline, conditions which create an intolerable setting for this plant.
Tiny but distinct, Venus’ Looking-glass blooms can now be found in sunny spots of untended fields and pastures. This low growing weed can produce a string of deep purple blooms.
In addition to enhancing the hues within the native landscape, this genus of plants is a critical component to the survival of native pollinators. It provides nutrition in two ways.
The foliage of these perennials is the sole source for two species of native flower moths caterpillars, and it is a feedstock for moth larvae in the Schinin moth genus, too. The nectar from Blazing Stars supports a variety of insect pollinators.
Anyone wishing to propagate these plants can collect their seeds after the bloom has finished. Mass plantings are impressive.
Venus’ Looking-glass is another purple producer during the autumn. The 18-inch-tall plant is covered with small five peddled blooms during the autumn.
Requiring full sun, it passes mostly unnoticed in fallow fields and pastures as part of the green background.
With moderating temperatures (finally), it is time to enjoy the majestic colors offered. Anyone can get the royal treatment without the expensive cost.
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