Northern trees get all the fall glory — the maples, oaks, and birches that turn landscapes into tapestries. It is time, I think, that Ceibas get their due. These trees […]
Plant Profile
Waterlilies: Beauty, With Some Serious Ecosystem Brawn
The state of Florida is home to over 7,800 freshwater lakes, 1,700 streams and rivers, 1,000 springs, and 11 million acres of natural wetlands. While our beaches speak for themselves, […]
Growing the “King of Fruits”
The mango, Mangifera indica, is perhaps one of the most iconic and delicious of all the tropical fruits. Luckily for us in Southwest Florida, mangos thrive here, and with little […]
Agave: The First Spirit of the Americas
Agave, which Native Americans call Maguey, has long been rooted in the culture and traditions of Mesoamerica and Mexico. Legend speaks of an Aztec plant, Metl, that was struck by […]
Prickly Pear Cacti: Food, Medicine, Legend, a Symbol of Mexico and a Favorite Florida Plant
Aztec legend speaks of an ancient people who moved from their homeland, Aztlán, to form a new capital. Huitzilopochtli, god of sun and war, instructed them to watch for an […]
Discover the lore of the barrel cactus, from tall tales to sweet treats.
Inside our Frida and Her Garden exhibition, you can find one of the most impressive genera of succulents, round plants known as “barrel cactus.” They are as menacing as they […]
