17
Plant ecologists refer to these types of marshes as “low moors” which are aptly
named for their resemblance to similar to bog-like environments with high peat
accumulates (Douglas 1997; Rutchey et al. 2008).
In terms of floral-ecosystem classification, the Everglades have been compartmentalized into six general categories: (1) the sawgrass marsh plains of northern
and central Everglades regions totaling approximately 4050 km
2
; (2) the sawgrass
and wax myrtle, or bay-berry thicket, areas along the flanks of the central Everglades
plain equaling around 970 km
2
; (3) slough and tree-island areas north of the
Hillsboro Canal and west of the Miami Canal with approximately 3135 km
2
; (4)
mixed marshes and wet prairies east and west of Tamiami Trail (trans-Everglades
highway at the latitude of Miami) totaling around 1215 km
2
; (5) custard apple and
willow-elderberry zone along the eastern and southern shores of Lake 0keechobee
equaling approximately 570 km
2
; and (6) bordering prairies with scattered hammocks and stands of trees along the borders of the Everglades with about 585 km
2
.
A majority of the vegetation growing in the Everglades is derived from aquatic
families, with sawgrass (Cladium spp.) being the predominant species to take root
(Douglas 1997). Not actually a ‘true’ grass, as it is in fact a sedge, sawgrass can
reach lengths over 3 m and have leaves lined with razor-sharp edges. Growing in
tandem with the sawgrass along the canals of the Everglades, the water hyacinth
(Eichhornia crassipes) has become one of the most abundant naturalized plants to
grow in these hydrated soils (Gunderson and Loftus 1993). However, in the sloughs
and deeper waters of the Everglades, where out-competition by sawgrass is diminished, other grasses and water plants thrive (Gunderson and Loftus 1993). For
example, gama grass, water arums, giant foxtail, spider lilies, common reeds, boneset, elegant thalia, bull-rushes, and maiden cane help to form a vast area of native
and naturalized vegetation growing on the lower mainland of Florida, many of
which are located on the glades and island hammocks below Lake Okeechobee
(Davis 1943; Lodge 1994; Sklar et al. 2001). The amazing growth of this flora,
sometimes to a canopy height of nearly 7 m, often makes the Everglades look like
an immense sea of green (Douglas 1997).
Along the eastern and western edges of the Everglades, marsh shrubs and trees
grow predominantly in isolated clumps or on small islands (Sklar and van der Valk
2002) (Fig. 1.7). Most of these island banks are lined with a 3–5 km buffer of custard apple (Annona reticulata) and elderberry (Sambucus spp.), which can usually
be found adjacent to one another (Wu et al. 2002). Growing on the small islands
along the edge of the Everglades are the cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco), which
forms a dense green foliage on the streams and once provided a dietary purple and
white fruit to the native Seminole tribes (Davis and Ogden 1994). Other principal
flora species found here include the amphibian willow, wax myrtle, and swamp bay.
On the larger tree islands, or swamp keys, in the area, grow the live oak, cypress,
maple, bay, and a few of the long leaf pine (Sklar and van der Valk 2002). Of special
interest is one of the most utilitarian flora members of the Everglades community
called the cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto). This palm can grow to great heights
on the islands of the glades and adjoining prairies. The trunk has been timbered
for building purposes, the leaves for thatch, and the tender bud at the heart of the
1 The Florida Everglades: An Overview of Alteration and Restoration
Plant ecologists refer to these types of marshes as “low moors” which are aptly
named for their resemblance to similar to bog-like environments with high peat
accumulates (Douglas 1997; Rutchey et al. 2008).
In terms of floral-ecosystem classification, the Everglades have been compartmentalized into six general categories: (1) the sawgrass marsh plains of northern
and central Everglades regions totaling approximately 4050 km
2
; (2) the sawgrass
and wax myrtle, or bay-berry thicket, areas along the flanks of the central Everglades
plain equaling around 970 km
2
; (3) slough and tree-island areas north of the
Hillsboro Canal and west of the Miami Canal with approximately 3135 km
2
; (4)
mixed marshes and wet prairies east and west of Tamiami Trail (trans-Everglades
highway at the latitude of Miami) totaling around 1215 km
2
; (5) custard apple and
willow-elderberry zone along the eastern and southern shores of Lake 0keechobee
equaling approximately 570 km
2
; and (6) bordering prairies with scattered hammocks and stands of trees along the borders of the Everglades with about 585 km
2
.
A majority of the vegetation growing in the Everglades is derived from aquatic
families, with sawgrass (Cladium spp.) being the predominant species to take root
(Douglas 1997). Not actually a ‘true’ grass, as it is in fact a sedge, sawgrass can
reach lengths over 3 m and have leaves lined with razor-sharp edges. Growing in
tandem with the sawgrass along the canals of the Everglades, the water hyacinth
(Eichhornia crassipes) has become one of the most abundant naturalized plants to
grow in these hydrated soils (Gunderson and Loftus 1993). However, in the sloughs
and deeper waters of the Everglades, where out-competition by sawgrass is diminished, other grasses and water plants thrive (Gunderson and Loftus 1993). For
example, gama grass, water arums, giant foxtail, spider lilies, common reeds, boneset, elegant thalia, bull-rushes, and maiden cane help to form a vast area of native
and naturalized vegetation growing on the lower mainland of Florida, many of
which are located on the glades and island hammocks below Lake Okeechobee
(Davis 1943; Lodge 1994; Sklar et al. 2001). The amazing growth of this flora,
sometimes to a canopy height of nearly 7 m, often makes the Everglades look like
an immense sea of green (Douglas 1997).
Along the eastern and western edges of the Everglades, marsh shrubs and trees
grow predominantly in isolated clumps or on small islands (Sklar and van der Valk
2002) (Fig. 1.7). Most of these island banks are lined with a 3–5 km buffer of custard apple (Annona reticulata) and elderberry (Sambucus spp.), which can usually
be found adjacent to one another (Wu et al. 2002). Growing on the small islands
along the edge of the Everglades are the cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco), which
forms a dense green foliage on the streams and once provided a dietary purple and
white fruit to the native Seminole tribes (Davis and Ogden 1994). Other principal
flora species found here include the amphibian willow, wax myrtle, and swamp bay.
On the larger tree islands, or swamp keys, in the area, grow the live oak, cypress,
maple, bay, and a few of the long leaf pine (Sklar and van der Valk 2002). Of special
interest is one of the most utilitarian flora members of the Everglades community
called the cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto). This palm can grow to great heights
on the islands of the glades and adjoining prairies. The trunk has been timbered
for building purposes, the leaves for thatch, and the tender bud at the heart of the
1 The Florida Everglades: An Overview of Alteration and Restoration