Everglades
There's no other place in the world like the Florida Everglades!
- Everglades National Park is 80 miles wide and contains both temperate and tropical plant communities.
- This National Park is the largest sub-tropical wilderness in the continental United States and includes extensive saltwater and freshwater areas, open Everglades prairies, as well as mangrove forests.
- Abundant and colorful wildlife can be found in the Everglades. It is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles exist side by side!
Sea Grape
Coccoloba uvifera
Did you know that Sea Grapes play an important role in their ecosystem?
- Coastal Sea Grapes serve an important role in protecting sea turtle nesting areas from artificial light.
- Sea Grapes can also stabilize sand dunes and reduce erosion from tropical storms.
- These plants produce round green fruits that grow in clusters. Although they look like grapes and are edible, they are actually part of the buckwheat family.
Spanish Moss
Tillandsia usneoides
Did you know Spanish Moss isn’t really a moss?
- Spanish moss is actually a type of Tillandsia, or air plant, and it grows as an epiphyte on trees and other large plants.
- Unlike other plants, it doesn’t have roots or grow in the ground. It absorbs water and nutrients through its leaves from the air.
- Despite its name, Spanish most isn’t really from Spain! It is originally from the southern United States, as well as Central and South America.
