After the boardwalk the terrain rises and is drier, however it will still flood during hard rains due to poor drainage. This is the Palmetto Pine Flatwoods habitat that covers around 50% of the land area in Florida. The Flatwoods is characterized by sandy, grey, low nutrient surface soils that may become hard packed 1-3 ft down. This hard-packed layer, called hardpan, results in poor drainage and flooding during the wet season. During the winter dry season there is very little moisture in the soil.
Slash Pines (Pinus ellioti) and Saw Palmetto (Sereona rapens) are the keystone species in the Flatwoods ecosystem. Keystone species are those which have an extrememly high impact on a particular ecosystem and, essentially, are the definitive organisms in the ecosystem. Wildlife living in the Flatwoods is dependant on the Slash Pines and Saw Palmettos for food and shelter. Even humans today depend on the pines for lumber and Saw Palmettos for medicine and thatch.
Both Saw Palmetto and Slash Pine are adapted to withstand flooding, drought and fire. Periodic fires from lightning strikes naturally clear out underbrush and facilitate new growth. The Flatwoods here is overgrown and is on its way to becoming a shady oak or palm hammock because there has not been fire for many years. Some environmental managment areas periodically used controlled burns to maintain the flatwoods, however this is difficult at CHEC because of its proximity to residential areas.
Along with the Wax Myrtle, there are several plants right around this pine that you will see as you walk through the flatwoods. The American Beautyberry (Callocarpa americana) is that bush with the bright purple berries. The flowers are lavender and can be seen in the picture. These berries are an important food source for birds and racoons. It has recently been found that the leaves contain three chemicals that repel mosquitos.
Across the trail find the Coastalplain Staggerbush (Lyonia fruticosa), another characteristic plant of the Flatwood. Rust colored scales dust the leaves and flowers and are thought to provide protection from insects. The seed pods are round and brown. Parts of this trail were mowed in July of 2019 and the Staggerbush is one of the tallest that has grown back.
As you continue down the trail we will meet the Slash Pine and Saw Palmetto.
