July 14, 2019 - REPORT FROM THE ROAD - MANASOTA SCRUB: I went on a solo hike into the Manasota Scrub Preserve near the ocean in Englewood this afternoon. It was hot but absolutely lovely. There is a healthy population of resident gopher tortoises that are of a decent size and age, whoppers in fact. The warmth brings out the scent of the pine trees at this preserve. Meadow Beauty flowers, Rhexia, were in bloom. Their edible leaves have a lemony flavor. A slash pine, Pinus elliottii, has fragrant resin oozing from a wound. The native Carolina Redroots, Lachnanthes caroliana - Haemodoraceae, were in bloom. It is good to know that they contain toxic compounds.
PHOTO: A gopher tortoise eating grass.