Sandhill Milkweed (also known as Pinewoods Milkweed, Sprawling Milkweed, or Pink-Veined Milkweed) is a species of Milkweed plant native to the Southeastern United States. Milkweed species are required by the endangered Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Its scientific name is Asclepias humistrata, which is made of the Latin humis, or “sprawling,” and sternere, which means “to spread.” Therefore, it…
The Lake Wales Rails-to-Trails program has missed one of its three most important targets: the removal of invasive, non-native species. The Lake Wales “Rails-to-Trails” program is great in conception. Convert a short section of unused railway into a trail to be used by citizens. The program’s site is in the heart of the Lake Wales…
We found a Scrub Plum (prunus geniculata) being visited by a Hairy Maggot Blow Fly (chrysomya rufifacies) who, apparently, fuels on plum-flower nectar between carrion feasts. The hairs on the fly’s face, or even its proboscis, may pollinate the Scrub Plum’s beautiful flowers. While it is probable that this Blow Fly will pollinate the Scrub…