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Daily Bucket: Some Florida Invasives [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-02-19
The Daily Bucket is a regular series from the Backyard Science group. Here we talk about Mother Nature in all her glory, especially the parts that live nearby. So let us know (as close as you are comfortable) where you are and what's going on around you. What's the weather like? Seen any interesting plants, bugs or critters? Are there birds at your feeders? Deer, foxes or snakies in your yard? Seen any cool rocks or geological features? Post your observations and notes here. And photos. We like photos. :)
Florida is the invasive-species capitol of the world, with all sorts of things from pythons to water plants. It sometimes seems that I can’t walk ten minute without encountering something that isn’t supposed to be here. Some are harmless, some are not: some came here accidentally, some were intentionally introduced.
“Invasive species” are the second-leading cause of species extinction worldwide, behind only “habitat loss”.
A few of the invasive species I have seen in recent days.
Brown Anole. A non-native from the Caribbean.
Water Hyacinth and Water Lettuce. Both are invasives.
Tilapia. Native to Africa.
Some Elephant-Ear plants are native—these are non-native Taro
Castor Beans, from Africa
Some of these Marsh Primrose species are native, some are not. They look a lot alike and are hard to tell apart.
Balsam Apple, from Africa
Water Spangles, from South America
Black-Headed Parakeet, also called Nanday Parakeet
Red-Eared Slider, a native of the Mississippi River valley that got here through the pet trade
Florida’s native Lantana species have all-yellow or all-white flowers. This is a non-native species of Lantana—a garden escapee.
Quaker Parakeet, also called Monk Parakeet. From South America.
Muscovy Duck. Also from South America.
Wedelia. Also called Ox-Eye. From Central America.
Fire Ants, from South America. Owwwwwwww. Little bastids.
And now it is your turn: what’s going on in your neck of the woods?
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