Central Florida Plant Class

(Class is closed, see you in Dunedin in 2025)

(This Class is now Closed, We Look Forward to Seeing YOU in Dunedin, March 2025, for the Intracoastal Islands Course)

Central Florida Plant Communities

With an introduction to Plant Family Characteristics

Join Meristem Academy’s Lead Botanist, Marc Woernle, March 26, 2025, (9 AM - 4 PM), as we explore four plant communities within the 8,700 acre Brooker Creek Nature Preserve located just north of Clearwater in Tarpon Springs, FL. We plan to walk through, identify and discuss multiple plant species within the Cypress Dome, Gum Swamp, Oak Hammock and Pine Flatwoods communities, all located within close proximity to one another.

We will start at the Nature Center and proceed from there in a loop that will take us through each zone on sandy trails starting and ending on two different boardwalks through the Gum Swamp. Please be prepared with field clothes and shoes that can get dirty, bug spray, sun block, and plenty of water. There are bathrooms and cold filtered water dispensers within the air conditioned Nature Center. We will be in the shade part of the time and there is a covered “pavilion” halfway on the hike. Temperatures are typically mild, and the chance of rain is usually very low this time of year in Central Florida. Please bring snacks or a packed lunch, as we will break for a time to eat Lunch.

The class is tailored for professional consultants and agency staff that are required and/ or have a desire to learn more about plant communities, native plant identification. However, anyone with an interest in learning more about Florida’s native plants and plant communities is welcome to attend. We will be using Wunderlin’s Guide to Vascular Plants of Florida for keying out plants and nomenclature. If you have a copy, please bring it. Several copies will be available for use. A hand lens will be provided. A certificate of completion will be emailed to each participant after completing the class, which should be recognized as completing 0.5 CEU's (depending on agency/ institution/ society definitions).

Approximately 80% of the hike can be accessed with a rugged wheelchair (all terrain tires). Where wheelchair access is problematic, the teacher will ensure that materials and discussions are communicated for a full experience. Please contact Meristem in advance for more specifics on ADA access.

Among others, we anticipate observing and discussing the following Plant Families:

Aquifoliaceae (Hollys)

Asclepiadaceae (Milkweeds)

Asteraceae (Asters, Solidagos, Lygodesmia)

Bromeliaceae (Tillandsias)

Fagaceae (Oaks)

Pinaceae (Pines)

Eriocaulaceae (Bog Buttons, Hatpins)

Xyridaceae (Yellow-Eyed Grasses)

Blechnaceae (Swamp Fern)

Hypoxidaceae (Yellow Stars)

Osmundaceae (Cinnamon & Royal Ferns)