It’s a Pawpaw Tree!

Lo and behold, my mystery flower is a Pawpaw Tree!

Four-Petal - Asimina tetramera

The Four-Petal Paw Paw prefers being in a Sand Pine Scrub Ecosystem. It is endangered due to habitat destruction from over development.

I appreciate all of the wonderful comments and good ideas but I actually found the answer in an old 1938 book that I had on my bookshelf, Florida Wild Flowers by Mary Francis Baker.

I love old books!

Even though the illustration wasn’t the best, I could still tell.

I love a challenge and a good ‘google search’. But on Sunday afternoon I stretched out on the sofa with some old wildflower books and found a positive ID!

We had gone back over to Ross Prairie and to the Florida Trails that are nearby to look at each and every plant.

To make it even more challenging, some of the twiggy ‘trees’ or shrubs had blooms with only 3 petals.

Some of the centers were different too.

One even had purple inner petals which I thought was gorgeous.

Once I knew what it was, I found lots of references to it being here in Florida. I enjoyed reading the website, Walking with the Alligators (HERE) and learned a lot from the gator woman!

The Survival Gardener has some great information on it  HERE !

I want to thank Michael E. Abrams from Florida Wildflowers too. I wrote him, gave him my blog address and told him where I had found the flower. He was nice enough to write back on Monday morning and confirm my positive identification! WHEW! I was so happy!

“Picking up Paw Paws, put ‘em in my pocket;

Picking up Paw Paws, put ‘em in my pocket;

Picking up Paw Paws, put ‘em in my pocket;

Way down yonder in the Paw Paw Patch”

Do you remember that song? I think we sang and danced it with Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Green Jeans!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays

Wednesday Around the World,

and Wildflower Wednesday.

Come on down!

I found the Paw Paw Patch!

The Bottlebrush Tree

This is aptly named don’t you think?

It was in full bloom at Sholom Park and I had fun photographing it.

I walked and marveled at the beauty of this park.

There’s always something in bloom!

You can see the bushes in bloom on the left!

It’s right around the corner from the Lipstick Plant!

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE

and Cooking and Crafting with J & J.

Spring is a Wild Time in Florida!

We have so many birds that migrate through Florida and Springtime is the perfect time to see unusual sights!

I’ve seen several Eagles in the past couple of weeks.

When I was walking across the parking lot at the Farmer’s Market last week, I saw an Eagle flying in and out of a large flock of Egrets.

I guess he was saying ‘stay out of my territory’!

AMAZING!

I’m glad I had my good camera with me. I ‘threw’ my fresh fruit and veggies in the trunk and grabbed my camera. Florida strawberries….don’t get smushed by the sweet potatoes! lol

I drove over to Sholom Park which is right next door and as soon as I got out of the car, I saw a flock of dark birds HIGH in the sky!

I think they are Coots! Which is pretty amazing!

Migrating Coots!

I also saw a pair of Swallowtail Kites at Sholom. YAY! They are nesting there again this year!

One of the signs at Sholom Park.

(up close)

It was a beautiful day to be out and about!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Need help with flower ID!

I thought I would sneak in an extra post this week. I hiked yesterday and saw this flower blooming in the woods. I was hiking the Florida trails and there are lots of Oaks and Pines and sandy soil.

(it looks like this when I hold it up to show the center)

This flower appears to be growing on a small shrub or young tree branch.

(and like this when it’s hanging naturally)

I’ve googled everything I can think of. Even….white flower growing on a limb which got me a lot of people with tattoos! lol

(several blooms on a limb)

Any idea what it is? Any clue on what I could search? I’ve tried Florida wildflowers, bell shaped flower, white, pale yellow…I’m obsessed now with figuring it out!!!

(the whole plant)

I hiked at midday. It was 81 degrees which doesn’t sound bad but the humidity was HIGH and it felt SO HOT!

I came home and found this flower in my wildflower ID book.

 

It’s Coralbean.

And I already know what this bird is! But a lot of people here call them Ravens. I usually think it’s a Crow but they are BIG!

    I’m very thankful for beautiful weather and great places to hike! 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays

and Wildflower Wednesday.

April Roses

My husband bought my favorite roses to plant all around our house!

Red Roses!

But as it turned out, a couple of them are pink. And they are lovely!

We now have 40 Knock Out Rose bushes and they are all in full bloom right now.

(along the wall of the lanai or Florida room)

Each bush has at least 25 blooms….25 X 40! A THOUSAND roses!

And wildflowers are in full bloom here in Florida now too.

We’ve been seeing them along the trails when we hike.

Happy April!

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE

and Cooking and Crafting with J & J.

The Prettiest Ducks in the Pond

We saw a lot of beautiful birds at Tuscawilla Park in Ocala but only one exactly like this!

I’m not even sure what it is but it was BIG….as big as a goose and we only managed 2 photos. What do you think? Maybe a hybrid?

And not to be outdone by the city ducks…

the Hybrid Mallards at our neighborhood pond posed in a bed of white clover.

Our wildflowers are blooming like crazy but I was still surprised to see the clover in full bloom this early.

They get the prize for most beautiful setting!

Have a blessed weekend!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.

Outdoor Sculptures at Tuscawilla Park

One of the reasons my sweet hubby planned a Sunday afternoon trip to Tuscawilla Park was the outdoor sculpture displays they have right now.

And we were not disappointed!

They were all amazing!

A perfect Spring day to walk and enjoy one of the nicest parks in Ocala.

We both found one of the painted rocks that are hidden throughout the park too.

We put them back though so that someone else can find them.

Have you been to a city park near you lately?

It’s FUN! 

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE

and Cooking and Crafting with J & J.