![]() Today, scientists recognize that the berries containĬhemicals useful in the treatment of prostrate cancer. Historic photos show huge racks ofīerries set out in the sun to dry. Marketed as a general cure-all called Salmetto. In the late 1800's, saw palmetto berries were grown in the historic Eldora community and He also noted that the large leaves were used by the natives to construct the walls Over time his hunger increased and he too was soon devouring Humorous account by a shipwrecked Englishman in the 1690's claimed that the palmettoīerries given to him by the Native Americans were inedible, tasting like rotten cheese Mentioned that lesser villages presented baskets of berries as tribute to ruling chiefs. Native Americans who lived in the area for thousands of years. They were also an important source of food for the The large clusters of palmetto berries are a critical source It is among the first species to green up after a fire due to the food Named for the sharp teeth along the petiole, saw palmetto isĮxtremely flammable and performs the vital role of carrying fire in the seashore's fireĪdapted communities (for more information on the importance of fire see Environmentalįactors/Fire Regime). The thick trunk can lie prostrate on the ground, often partiallyīuried, or be erect. It also occurs as an understory shrub in hammocksĪnd pine flatwoods. A shrub, it grows in thick, almost impenetrable expanses along the barrier islandĪnd mainland portions of the park. Its large fan-shaped leaves are one of the first things many visitors notice. Probably the most dominant terrestrial plant in the Seashore is saw palmetto (Serenoa This pattern of ebb and flow is common for plants on the extreme edge of their range. Warmer weather in subsequent years has allowed the plants to resprout from the bases, creating a lush carpet of smaller shrubs underneath the gnarled skeletons of the prior generation. Large, dead trunks are particularly noticeable along the west side of the South District beach road (between Parking Areas 3 and 12) and south of the highway just east of the New Smyrna Beach causeway on the way to the North District of Canaveral National Seashore. A series of cold spells in the 1980's caused massive damage to the mangroves around Mosquito Lagoon. However, when freezing weather hits, the plants will die back. The plants flourish during warm periods and even grow to the size of small trees. The seashore is near the northern limit of the mangroves' ranges. An associated species, buttonwood (Conocarpus erecta), is not technically a mangrove but often grows with them and is easily recognized when the numerous, rounded, brown, marble-sized fruits or "buttons" are present. You will see two small bumps or glands where excess salt is excreted. Look closely at the leaf stalk (petiole) where it joins with base of the leaf blade. ![]() It gets rid of excess salt in a different manner than black mangrove. The white mangrove (Laguncularia racemosa) grows farthest from the water and has oval-shaped leaves, as opposed to the more pointed leaves of the red and black mangroves. The surface of the leaves have a grayish hue, caused by a build-up excess salt, excreted by the plant. ![]() This species has clusters of distinctive aerial roots known as pneumataphores that stick up out of the mud like pencils around the plant. Black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) grows next closest to the water. It also has odd, long, green, cigar-shaped fruits. Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) grows in the water, and is easily recognized by conspicuous stilt-like prop roots. Due to their ecological importance they are protected by Florida law. The branches provide nesting sites for herons, storks, ibises and other wading birds the disintegrating leaves are an important food source for many species of fish, shrimp, oysters and other aquatic species mangrove roots stabilize the shoreline, reduce erosion and improve water quality by slowing water currents and absorbing the impact of wind and waves and the roots provide critical substrate for oysters, barnacles and many other species. Mangroves provide valuable habitat for a myriad of animal life including fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates and mammals. They actually would grow well in other environments but are out-competed by other plant species, so must exist in the harsh environment along the lagoon's edge where other species cannot survive. Mangroves have specialized structural and physiological adaptations that enable them to endure high salt concentrations and low oxygen concentrations. These includes three species of mangroves that grow along the edge of Mosquito Lagoon. A number of interesting tree and shrub species occur at Canaveral National Seashore which can be easily learned by the amateur naturalist.
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