When summer temperatures rise, the bark of crape myrtles starts peeling off. There are several species of trees, including river birch and gumbo limbo, which lose bark in large strips. South Florida’s gumbo limbo is nicknamed the “tourist ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources
A mole cricket has a face only a mother could love. They are so strange looking, in fact, that in the past week I’ve had two people ask me what they were. They have large, round, helmet-like heads, undersized eyes, and massive front claws ... READ MORE
Category: Home Landscapes, Invasive Species, Natural Resources
Tales of fairies and magical creatures are the lighthearted fare of children’s stories and movies these days. But most of our fables and fairy tales had a rather ominous origin. The sing-along “Ring Around the Rosy,” for example, was ... READ MORE
Category: Natural Resources
Blackberries (Rubus spp.) will not quickly jump into your mind when you think of fruit production in Florida. In fact, when you do think of blackberries, you will most likely envision viny plants infiltrating your gardens and attacking you with ... READ MORE
Category: Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Fruits & Vegetables, Horticulture