September 28. 2018

Location: Hobe Sound Nature Center

This is Chrysobalanus icaco
It fruits from late spring to early autumn.
I think it's a pretty plant in fact,
You might say I'm coo-coo for Cocoplum.

(Note: The credit/blame for this poem rests entirely with David, it was his idea. )

Sources: IFAS Extention - Cocoplum Identification and Uses

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 27, 2018

Location:  Hobe Sound, Jonathan Dickinson State Park

I am a Yellow Billed Cuckoo
I like to eat caterpillars and sometimes grapes.
I have the shortest nesting period of any bird,
From egg to fledge in 17 days.

Sources: Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Yellow Billed Cuckoo

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 26, 2018

Location: Hobe Sound Nature Center

This is Poinsettia cyathophora,
Aka Fire-on-the-mountain or Paintedleaf
It's in the genus Euphorbia,
Named for Euphorbus, a physician from Greece.

Euphorbus discovered that many of the plants
In this genus have medicinal value.
Including a succulent plant from the Atlas mountains,
Which could make you take a really good poo.

Sources:

• Florida Wildflower Foundation: Friday Flower: Paintedleaf
• Wikipedia - Euphorbus (physician))
• Euphorbus - The Succulent Plant Page

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 25, 2018

Location: Hobe Sound Nature Center

This is known as Florida rosemary
The common name was recently changed to Sand heath
The plant provides cover and a nest area for birds
And fruit that black bears sometimes eat.

Sources:

• USDA Fire Effects Information System (FEIS) - SPECIES:  Ceratiola ericoides
• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Foodlist of Black Bears

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 24, 2018

Location: St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

This is a Hypericum tetrapetalum,
Commonly known as Four-petal St. Johns Wort.
It can live in full sun or partial shade,
And in moist or somewhat dryer dirt.

Sources: Florida Wildflower Foundation - Flower Friday: Four-petal St. John’s wort

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 23, 2018

Location: Fellsmere, Goodwin Wildlife Management Area

Special video edition of the poem of the day!

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

September 22, 2018

Location: Sebastian, Rails to Trails trail

This is a Cuban Tree Frog
Although he is somewhat dead
We can identify him by his large toe-pads
As well as the shape of his head.

Sources: UF Florida Wildlife Extension - Cuba Tree Frog

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson