Plant of the Week March 21: Southern Blue Flag Iris (Iris virginica)

As spring approaches, I eagerly anticipate seeing one of my favorite flowers blooming. Southern blue flag iris brings a brilliant flash of color to the landscape. this lovely native is a perennial that grows from rhizomes (rhizomes are a horizontal, underground, modified stem).

 

This plant is typically found growing in wet areas like wet prairies, marshes, swamps, stream and lake edges and even wet ditches. It is found throughout the southeastern states. Its' fruit is a capsule that can get up to 2.25 inches long!

Delayed....

Sorry for the delay folks. Trying to get some shot of some plants to do some plants!!!

Critter of the week: Peninsula ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus sackenii)

I know it is hard to think of a reptile as cute, but I would have to classify this particular species as "cute"! This relatively common snake is found throughout the state of Florida. This is a semiaquatic critter and can be found in a variety of habitats including pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks, cypress stands, marshes, etc. This is one of the more frequently seen snakes around residential areas as well as along canals and ditches. But these cuties are NON-VENOMOUS!!!
They forage on frogs, salamanders, small fishes, and even earthworms. During the late spring (April -June), they breed. This species is live-bearing so they give birth to about 20 newborns from July into September.

The person holding this snake has experience in snake identification and handling! Do NOT attempt to pick up snakes on your own! It should be done only by someone with training!!!

Prescribed fire video

One of the management tools we use is prescribed fire. Here is some footage from a recent burn. Please, do not attempt these on your own or at home. We receive training and have appropriate gear to do these!!!