.
.
Dr. William Dunson, who prefers the name Bill, enjoys visiting the natural areas we have here in Tangerine Woods. He led another walking tour on Monday, March 25, bringing with him several members of the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS). Web site: https://www.fnps.org/. About 35 TW residents walked along asking questions and learning a bunch of tidbits about native and not native plant species thriving in our Nature Preserve and Nature Trail.
He talked of Spanish Moss, and as educators do, asked questions of his students. What type of plant is Spanish Moss? Is it an air plant, an orchid? We learned it is a parasite. Some were confused. When we hear parasite, we envision having the life sucked out, killing its host. Bill told us that it is a parasite because, since it is not in contact with the soil and only with the tree, it gets all its nutrition from the tree and it gives nothing back. It’s a one-way relationship. I add, that a two-way relationship is a synergism; like humans paying taxes and getting roads in return. Lichen is the best known example of a synergism in the plant world.
Another area Bill touched upon was the importance of biodiversity. I’m not sure he used that word, but having many different species is important to the health of the environment. When someone is asked to envision a beautiful landscape, many will picture a well maintained botanical garden-like scene, filled with colorful plants but probably no brown stuff. Others, with knowledge of healthy forests and balanced ecosystems, will include dead leaves, trees and other things as a necessary part of the circle of life.
Bill advised against brewing the berries of the native coffee. He also talked to us about laurel leaf sage, mowing the grass on a plant friendly schedule and that this area was a natural hammock for a long time. There were too many other topics to include in this short column. We certainly thank him and hope he can schedule more walks with us next season.
.