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The Scrub Blazing Star: A Dance of Mutualism with Butterflies

A Reciprocal Relationship

The interaction between the Florida Gayfeather and its butterfly pollinators is a textbook example of mutualism. While butterflies sip nectar from the flower, they inadvertently collect pollen on their bodies. As they flit from one bloom to another, they facilitate cross-pollination, helping the plant to reproduce. In return, the nectar sustains the butterflies, aiding in their own life cycles of migration and breeding.

Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) are perfect pollinators for any Blazing Star (Liatris) species.

Conservation Concerns

Both the Scrub Blazing Star and its butterfly companions face environmental challenges such as habitat destruction and pesticide exposure. To counteract these threats, conservation programs often emphasize the planting of native species like the Florida Gayfeather. Such initiatives not only provide a refuge for butterflies but also contribute to overall ecosystem health and diversity.

Scrub Blazing Star is but one of hundreds of endangered species of the Lake Wales Ridge.

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