Category: Natives

Red-Bellied Woodpecker Transition and Reintroduction Plan

Introduction This plan outlines the transition and reintroduction process for Buppie, a fully-fledged Red-Bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus), who was rescued from a section of Slash Pine (Pinus elliottii) tree trunk found in a local dump. Buppie miraculously survived the chainsawing, stacking, and dumping of his nest. He has since been hand-fed and nurtured to independence. […]

Top 10 Plant Species for Ecology Restoration on the Lake Wales Ridge

When considering the restoration of native ecology on the Lake Wales Ridge in Central Florida, it is important to prioritize the establishment of plant species that are native to the region and play crucial roles in the local ecosystem. Here are some top plant species that could be installed first in a restoration project: It […]

Propagating Whisk-Ferns (Psilotum nudum)

Propagation of whisk ferns can be achieved through a few methods. Here are three common techniques you can try: Spore Propagation – Whisk ferns produce spores on the undersides of their fronds. Look for mature fronds with dark-colored spore cases. The spore cases may look like small bumps or dots. – Prepare a clean tray […]

What is Parry’s Jujube?

Ziziphus parryi is known as “Parry’s Jujube” and is a synonym of Condalia parryi, a small shrub or tree species in the family Rhamnaceae that is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is also known by the common names “Parry’s condalia,” “silver holly,” and “Arizona holly.” Pseudoziziphus Parryi is genetically related […]

What is ‘Ziziphus Parryi’?

Ziziphus parryi is a synonym of Condalia parryi, a small shrub or tree species in the family Rhamnaceae that is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is also known by the common names “Parry’s Condalia,” “Parry’s Jujube,” “silver holly,” and “Arizona holly.” Condalia parryi is notable for its attractive, silver-gray foliage […]

What is ‘Pseudoziziphus’?

Pseudoziziphus is a genus of flowering plants in the family Rhamnaceae. The genus contains at least one species, Pseudoziziphus schimperiana, which is commonly known as the “false jujube” or “Ethiopian jujube.” Pseudoziziphus schimperiana is a small tree that is native to East Africa and produces small, edible fruit that is similar in taste to the […]

Is There a Plant Named ‘Florida Ziziphus’?

There is no plant species known as “Florida ziziphus”. The genus Ziziphus, commonly known as jujube, is a group of plants that includes around 40 species of trees and shrubs in the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). Some species of Ziziphus are commonly grown for their edible fruit, which is also known as jujube. However, there is […]

A Case of Mistaken Identity for a Rare Florida Shrub

Summary: Through simple, phytomorphological comparison, it can be proven that at least two of the original population of “Florida Jujube” shrubs, found in Polk County in 1987, are in fact Parry’s Jujube (Pseudoziziphus Parryi), likely transplanted from the California Chaparral in the early twentieth century. Three Psilos, Inc. has proven that at least two of […]

Goldenaster (Chrysopsis) Species of the Lake Wales Ridge

Goldenaster (or golden aster) is a common name for yellow, perennial flowers of the Sunflower family (Asteracea). Goldenaster is also the common name for any species in the Chrysopsis genus. CHRYSOPSIS (Nuttall) Elliott, Sketch Bot. S. Carolina 2: 333. 1823, nom. cons. vs. Diplopappus Cassini 1817, et vs. Diplogon Rafinesque 1819. Full Citation for Chrysopsis […]