You say Tor-RAY-a; I say TOR-ree-a
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February 2014
Official site
Torreya State Park is for the Florida Torreya tree, which grows almost exclusively within its borders. This conifer tree, known scientifically as Torreya taxifolia, is an endangered species named for 19th century American botanist John Torrey.
So I guess how to pronounce Torreya depends on how the long-dead John Torrey pronounced his name. I always assumed his name is said as "Tory" and a longtime park ranger who grew up in the area always said it that way. He'd sorta chuckle as the tourists gave it that fancy spin on the name.
I don't have a recent photo of the Torreya tree but there are a few in the area that have been cloned and planted. Deer love to rub on the "stinking cedar" so the trees are caged. On other hikes in the area, north up along the river, remnants of the original trees can be found amid the slopes.
Early morning violet
And yes, the park has hills. Here's a look up one of them on the 8 mile Challenge Loop. After crossing several of these, it does get to be a challenge. A lot of people come out here to train for their hikes in other places like the mountains.
More photos below the fold ...
So if we have hills, there must be creeks between them, several creeks, but unless you really study your maps, you'll never quite know if it's the same old creek or another one. They all do lead into the Apalachicola River that borders the park to the west and north.
As a member of the Florida Trail Association, I do annual trail maintenance at the park. Not sure who is responsible for righting this footbridge tho.
On to the wildflowers and trees:
Florida Anise - lovely shrub almost ready to open its twisted red flower. Understory trees that tend to take over the slopes along the creeks. I always break off a leaf and crumble and sniff. Smells like anise... Where these do not dominate, there is horse sugar or wild olive which are also almost evergreen with long-lasting leaves. The key ID points are, as best as I know, Wild Olive has opposite leaves; Horse Sugar has a few maroon leaves ready to fall off, taste of sugar in leaf vein; Anise smells like anise :)
Leatherwood. Yellow flowers at tips of flexible branches. "Stems bend but do not break." A rare plant for FL that is found only in the ravines around the river.
A favorite of mine - Red Buckeye. Showy red flowers. This one has reddish leaves as it opens that turn green the next day.
A Red Cedar seedling. Very bristly at this early stage. I surmise it's to slow deer browsing.
Rue Anemone - I had to look this one up. Thalictrum thalictroides
Another endangered plant in this limited region. Pictured here with a sedge.
and again with Trillium. It was along a creek crossing, one of the larger ones with a bridge. It had a history from CCC work in the 1930s. Boulders and brickwork lay about and then these plants found a home.
Photos taken with iPhone 5S and then cropped and resized for DK.
A rainy day in Tallahassee, hopes it stops soon so I can prep outside for one more freeze Thursday night. Also about the state park - plans are being now. The usual suspects are organizing to plant pines on 200 acres this Sunday. Woo-hoo! more digging and pulling and planting, and he bends but does not break!
The Daily Bucket is now open for your thoughts and observations...
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