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Betsy Purdum
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Dry
Prairie
Dominated by low-growth saw palmetto and a number
of grasses including wiregrass, bottlebrush three-awn, and lopsided
Indian grass. Scattered longleaf pine may be present.
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© Paul Martin Brown - Giant Orchid
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Oak Scrub/Scrubby
Flatwoods
Oak scrub/scrubby flatwoods occur on slightly
higher elevations than dry prairie and are characterized by a low
canopy of myrtle oak, Chapman's oak, and sand live oak with
scattered patches of white sand. The understory includes saw
palmetto, fetterbush, and staggerbush. Several rare plant species
are found here including short-leaved rosemary, nodding pinweed,
and giant orchid.
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Betsy Purdum
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Mesic
Flatwoods
Overstory of open longleaf pine with some
encroachment of hardwoods. The understory is predominantly low saw
palmetto and gallberry, fetterbush, and wax myrtle. Within the
flatwoods are depression marshes, wet prairies, and cypress swamps
and domes.
Hydric
Hammocks and Floodplain Swamps
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Betsy Purdum
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Hydric hammocks and floodplain swamps occur along
creek margins. This natural community is characterized by bald
cypress, loblolly bay, sweet bay, laurel oak, and water oak as well
as an abundance of old-growth cabbage palms. The endangered hand
fern, with its up to 7 lobes or "fingers," is found in the boots of
these old-growth cabbage palms.
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