That’s what Allan McCarthy and Tom Brown are saying as they look at the fruit of the fragrant prickly apple cactus (Harrisia fragrans) that Allan is holding. Everyone was able to see this rare Florida native at the home of Ellie and John Klebonis during the yard tour on Thursday, August 15.
It is so wonderful that Ellie and John bought 2 additional lots 16 years ago when they decided to build their home. Ellie saw the value of the unique scrub habitat and has lovingly preserved some of our favorite Florida natives. We have so few neighborhoods where you can still see sand pines (Pinus clausa), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), hog plum (Ximenia americana), tough bully (Sideroxylon tenax), the “little” oaks (Chapman (Quercus chapmanii), myrtle (Quercus myrtifolia), and sand live (Quercus geminata)), graytwig (Schoepfia schreberi) and even our native lantana (Lantana depressa)!
Speaking of saw palmetto (photo above R). Notice how Ellie has “cleaned” up the plant. That is OK, provided you take care to leave the flower stalks and then the fruit that develops just as you see Ellie has done. This plant is SO valuable to wildlife; pollinators of all types visit the flowers and small mammals and birds rely on the fruit. Once the digested fruit passes through those animals, many other insects and microscopic organisms beneficial to the soil further utilize the components for their energy needs. Read more about this valuable Florida native here.
This wonderful yard tour ended with an auction of native plants donated by the Eugenia Chapter members. Our auctions provide educational tidbits about the plants being sold, so consider being present to learn more about our Florida natives.
In the photo below there are lots of oohs and aahs, many questions asked and numerous ideas to take come. Get out there and do it!!
ircnativeplants.org 