[at-l] Fakahatchee Strand

[jbullar1 at twcny.rr.com (Jim Bullard)]

At 10:32 AM 11/4/2004 -0500, Bror8588@aol.com wrote:
>In a message dated 11/3/04 22:52:39 Eastern Standard Time, RoksnRoots@aol.com
>writes:
>
>
> > . Because of its southern location and constant ground moisture,
> > the Strand tends to possess tropical species that managed to blow in from
> > the
> > tropics to the south and adapt. What saves these tropical plants is the 
> fact
> > that the swamp allows enough moisture to linger in the canopy during dry
> > winter
> > cold spells to keep them from dying. Because of that Fakahatchee possesses
> > 23
> > varieties of orchid, 9 of which are only found there.
> >
>
>One of the great benefits (for me) in retiring is the opportunity to enlarge
>my interest in the world of nature.  I read the above offering and almost
>called AMTRAK to book a trip to Florida.  Recently, I have been attracted 
>to the
>NY Botanical Gardens where they offer courses in all types of
>Botany/Hortichlthre/Gardening areas and I am humbled by what I do not 
>know.  I never thought
>that I knew everything but it has become clearer that I am ignorant of the
>immense variety of botanical knowledge that now I have time to 
>pursue.  So, slowly
>I will accumulate knowledge here and there.  Who knows?  I may even begin to
>recognize the differences in trees beyond the obvious ones prevalent in the
>region (Oak, Maple, Beech, Birch, Hemlocks, Pines, etc.) and learn about the
>lesser known (to me) trees that are all around.  Curiosity is a wonderful 
>thing.
>It is good to have time to explore.
>
>Skylander

Then you should have a blast on a thru-hike. The Smokies are reputed to 
have the greatest diversity of trees of any place in the world and an 
almost equal diversity of other plant life. In fact you might never get out 
of the Smokies. :)