Last February I spent a week photographing flowers in Florida. I had a wonderful time exploring some of the botanical gardens and the national parks and wildlife refuges.
One of the first wildflowers I photographed was Bay Lobelia (lobelia feayana) at the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge near Naples. Bay Lobelia is a member of the Bellflower (Campanulaceae) family. It blooms year-round in south Florida. The flowers are a wonderful shade of purple and quite small – less than 1/2″ wide.
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
While in the Naples area, I also found some lovely wildflowers to photograph in the Big Cypress National Preserve.
I found a single Marsh-Pink (sabatia stellaris pursh). Also known as Rose of Plymouth, these delicate flowers are members of the Gentian (Gentianaceae) family. They bloom sporadically throughout the year in freshwater wetlands. The flowers on the Marsh-Pink are between 1 and 1/2″ wide.
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
Not far from the Marsh-Pink, I found some delicate Narrowleaf Blue-Eyed-Grass (sisyrinchium angustifolium miller). These beautiful deep purple flowers are members of the iris family. The flowers are about 1/2″ wide.
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
(c) 2009 Patty Hankins
Lovely wildflowers! Let’s hope it warms up in Florida soon, or there may not be too many winter wildflowers to enjoy this year.
stunning!
Awesome…..I am fascinated by the picture of flowers on your blog. It was nice going through your blog. Keep it up the good work. Cheers 🙂
Beautiful! Have you ever been to Florida’s Bok Tower Gardens. Serene and lovely. All the best!
Maryse
Thanks everyone
Maryse – I haven’t been to Bok Tower Gardens. I just checked out their website – it looks like a fantastic place to visit. I’ll put in on my list of places to visit for next time I’m in Florida. Thanks 🙂