Christina Evans (cgstudios) : photos : Wildflowers - Miscellaneous : Blue-eyed Grass -- who doesn't love flowers this color? As the name indicates, the foliage is low and grassy. In the spring these beautiful small flowers make their appearance. The plant prefers moist areas in full sun. I have a small patch growing in one corner of my yard at the end of a down-slope by the street.- powered by SmugMug

This gallery contains photos of various native wildflowers. I have separate galleries for Carphephorus species and for Pityopsis graminifolia (SIlkgrass).

Please click on the thumbnails to view an image in a larger size and to read more about them.

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Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Asclepias tuberosa, aka Butterfly Weed or Orange Milkplant with Phaon Crescent Butterflies in the Ocala National Forest

Butterfly Weed is a tuberous-rooted perennial that grows throughout Florida. Along with other milkweeds, it is a host plant for Queen, Monarch and other butterflies. As seen here, it is obviously also a great nectaring plant. We came upon this small lone plant alongside a road in the Ocala National Forest where it was the main event for these two butterflies. I have no experience with it so far beyond that -- it does not seem to be readily available for sale.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Bidens alba, aka Spanish needle or Beggar-ticks with Monarch Butterfly and a fly (tachinid?)

Spanish needle is an annoying, common weed to most gardener's here. It likes full sun (or not!) gets 2-3 feet tall (or more) and blooms much of the year. Butterflies and other nectaring insects adore it, which is why after years of trying to control it in my yard, I now allow it to grow in some of the wilder places in my backyard (where the neighbors can't see it!). It is a host plant for the Dainty Sulphur butterfly. This one was photographed at Largo Nature Park.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Blue-eyed Grass -- who doesn't love flowers this color? As the name indicates, the foliage is low and grassy. In the spring these beautiful small flowers make their appearance. The plant prefers moist areas in full sun. I have a small patch growing in one corner of my yard at the end of a down-slope by the street.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Clematis baldwinii -- Pine Hyacinth -- A very charming little clematis with these lovely bell shaped flowers. I was lucky to receive a few of these from a friend, and it now grows next to a little water feature along my front walkway, making a small tangled mound. Although I understand it is a plant of flatwoods, I've also seen it growing wild at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve in the springtime on ground that was recently burned.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Iris hexagona, aka Dixie Iris/Prairie Iris in bloom at Largo Nature Preserve

Grows in wet areas, swamps in full sun to partial shade to 3 or 4 feet tall. Blooms in the spring. I planted some by my small "bird creek" in 2004 (I think). It grows very well and spreads in the partial shade there, but has not bloomed. I plan to move it to the sunnier front yard. I don't know of any connection to wildlife, but with blue flowers this beautiful, who cares?

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Lupinus diffusus, aka Sky-blue Lupine in Oscar Sherer Park

The 2 -3 foot blue flower spikes on this silvery leaved plant come up in the spring, and no photo does them justice, IMO. I've seen them growing in very sandy areas at Honeymoon Island, and a few other local places, but this image was taken at Oscar Scherer Park, where I've seen entire fields of them -- an awesome sight especially when viewing their blues below and that of the scrub jays above. I wish to have some in my yard, but have to plan to sow seed in the spring, since they apparently do not like to be transplanted.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Phyla nodiflora flower, aka Carpetweed with a Dainty Sulphur Butterfly

I have seen this "weedy" groundcovering plant with its tiny flowers growing in several locations in central Florida -- usually with many different types of butterflies nectaring on it, including a Zebra Swallowtail. It is a host plant for Common Buckeyes and Phaon Crescents. This image was taken alongside Joe Overstreet Road near Lake Kissimmee. I think the common name "Carpetweed" is unfortunate -- and prefer one of its other common names "Frog Fruit". It seems to prefer a moist environment.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Pine Lily or Catesby's Lily (Lilium catesbaei) -- Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

This is a threatened species in Florida -- look closely to see a green tree frog in the flower.

Christina Evans (cgstudios) > Rhexia spp. aka Meadow Beauty in Lake Kissimmee area

A perennial with tuberous roots, Meadow Beauties come in a few colors, but I've mainly seen pink to bright magenta like this one. They grow in wetter areas and get from 1-3 feet tall. I planted one in with some Coreopsis (Tickseed) in summer 2005 and it bloomed off and on until fall. It is still there, but droughty conditions have limited its growth. I'm guessing that if we have decent rainfall, it will show up and bloom more this summer (2008). This photo was taken near Lake Kissimmee in central Florida.

Blue-eyed Grass -- who doesn't love flowers this color? As the name indicates, the foliage is low and grassy. In the spring these beautiful small flowers make their appearance. The plant prefers moist areas in full sun. I have a small patch growing in one corner of my yard at the end of a down-slope by the street.

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