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Post by turkeypig on Jun 26, 2008 0:25:51 GMT
I heard on International radio yesterday that the Florida governor has recently allowed several thousand acres of sugarcane fields to be turned back into swamp. I would be pretty sure that the cps down there would be greatly affected in a good way. ;D If i have any incorrect info, please feel free to correct me.
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Post by Dave Evans on Jul 9, 2008 0:52:37 GMT
The only way I can see this helping CP's is if their habitats are rebuilt, otherwise there isn't much CP habitat where sugar cane is cultivated. I do think this will help out a lot of wild life, and maybe a few CP's. There should be a few Drosera, Pinguila pumila, and various Utricularia in that area.
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Post by Brian Barnes on Jul 9, 2008 2:05:48 GMT
I think it will help the pineland CP habitats that surround the Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades area, not to mention numerous species of Florida native orchids, terrestrials and epiphytes alike.
To my knowledge, the rare and beautiful yellow flowered Pinguicula pumila var. bushwelli hasn't been spotted by myself or others in the past several years. That was the only place it grew and I believe it to now be extinct. I tend to theorize that the alkaline levels rose to near toxicity in their harsh limestone "oolite" habitats, due to increased land drainage efforts for 'Big Sugar'
Also, Catopsis berteroniana use to grow high up in the cypress trees in a few choice locales. I haven't seen them in several years either.
Chalk up another extinct species in the name of "progress"
Happy Growing,
Brian.
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Post by Dave Evans on Jul 9, 2008 3:43:49 GMT
Dear Brian,
I have been down in the area, looking for that yellow flowered butterwort, but I have never seen them in person. I don't think I was looking in the right places however. I have found P. pumila growing directly on coral rock, so I think it likes limestone just fine, but I'm not sure what oolite means...
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Post by Brian Barnes on Jul 9, 2008 9:12:28 GMT
Hey Dave,
"Oolite" is a geological term- basically the same as chalky limestone, but forms cavern-like formations that begin in the Everglades and reach all the way to Miami. The soil in oolite areas takes on a slight milky-white/chalky consistancy due to the high amounts of lime and alkalines in the soil. These places are where the magical P. pumila var. bushwelli use to grow, on raised island hammocks in the Everglades.
The last time I saw them was with Clyde Bramblett and Bruce Bednar years ago...We trekked in ankle deep water all day and saw just three plants on one of the raised hammocks. Now, even those are gone.
Happy Growing,
Brian.
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