Flora and Fauna

Fauna in the Area

The Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park is home to many species of plants and animals. Among the numerous hiking trails and the Bulow Creek you will have plenty of opportunities to take in all all of the nature found near the plantation. Down below is list of what plant and animal species are commonly found around the Bulow Plantation Ruins.

The most common animals you might encounter in this area are White-Tailed Deer, Barred Owls, Northern Mockingbirds, Red-Bellied Woodpeckers, Blue Jays, Northern Cardinals, Squirrels, and Snakes.

2 White-Tailed Deer found at Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park

Florida Animal Tracks

During your time at Bulow Plantation, take the time to look down and see what animal tracks you can find.

The image above shows a tree at Bulow Plantation with woodpecker holes

Plants of Bulow Plantation

Pleopeltis polypodioides (Resurrection Fern)

Similar to Spanish Moss, this air plant uses a host plant as its growing surface. Florida Seminole and Miccosukee tribes would treat insanity by adding this plant to a bath, as well as making a root mixture for treating sick babies and chronic health conditions.

Liquidambar styraciflua (American Sweetgum)

The gum from this tree has been used as chewing gum. The tree also provided a salve that could be used to treat a variety of aliments any of the slaves were experiencing like treating wounds, and act as an adhesive. The tree twigs served the purpose of a toothbrush.

Tillandsia usneoides (Spanish Moss)

Spanish Moss is an epiphytic flowering plant that you will typically see growing upon large trees. Many Native American tribes including the Seminoles used the moss for various purposes. They would clean the outer coating of the plant and used the fibers for bedding cloth, floor matts, horse blankets, and ropes.

Sabal palmetto

(Sabal Palm/Cabbage Palm)

The Sabal Palm can grow up to 80 feet in height and is known for its frond pattern. Native American tribes in coastal Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina frequently harvested Sabal Palms for their heart of palm buds, which can kill the plant. The buds taste similar to cabbage, hence the tree's "Cabbage Palm" nickname.

Pinus palustris

(Longleaf Pine)

The Longleaf Pine can grow to approximately 98 to 115 feet in height and depends on fire in order for seeds to germinate. After the Bulow Plantation burned down in 1836, the only way that the Bulow family made money on their land was by distilling turpentine from the pine trees, especially the Longleaf Pines.

Sabal minor

(Dwarf Palmetto)

The Dwarf Palmetto, the smaller species of the Sabal palm, only grows to about 10 feet in height, but is very similar to the Sabal Palm in terms of frond pattern and its fruit. However, the Dwarf Palmetto can thrive in the Gulf Coast instead of only the Atlantic Coast up to North Carolina.

The Seasons of Bulow Creek

Spring (March - April)

The calendar won't tell you when the seasons change here. Watch for signs of wildlife activitiy that announce the arrival of Spring at Bulow Creek.

The endangered Florida Manatee returns when the water temperature returns to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius). You can see them surfacing to breathe or eating plants at the edge of the marsh.

Look skyward for the Swallowtail Kite with its scissor-like tail, and for the Osprey, or "fish hawk," which catches fish with its sharp talons.

Osprey

(Pandion haliaetus)

Swallowtail Kite

(Elanoides forficatus)

West Indies Manatee

(Trichechus manatus)

Summer (May - September)

Warm days and afternoon rains awaken summer wildflowers. You can find several varieties of wild hibiscus - the "jewels" of Bulow marsh.

The Swamp Hibiscus has bright pink flowers eight to ten inches across. The Salt Marsh Mallow grows along the lengrh of Bulow Creek. The Scarlet Hibiscus is more common along the freshwater reaches upriver.

Salt Marsh Mallow

(Kosteletzkya pentacarpos)

Swamp Hibiscus

(Hibiscus grandiflorus)

Scarlet Hibiscus

(Hibiscus coccineus)

Fall (October - November)

The arrival of cooler days announce fishing time. Two common saltwater fish can be found in Bulow Creek. The fish traveling in schools and frequently leaping into the air is the Striped Mullet. The Red Drum, or "redfish," population was declining until recent laws were enacted ro regulate the catch of this popular fish. The Largemouth Bass is usually found upstream in freshwater areas.

Largemouth Bass

(Micropterus nigricans)

Striped Mullet

(Mugil cephalus)

Red Drum

(Sciaenops ocellatus)

Winter (December - February)

Many wading birds spend the winter at Bulow Creek. Like human "snowbirds," herons and egrets leave the frozen north to join their relatives in Florida.

The largest wading bird you will see is the Great Blue Heron, which stands motionless, waiting for prey. The Great Egret was hunted almost to extinction for its white plumes, which was used on women's hats. If you see a bird wearing "yellow slippers," it is the Snowy Egret.

Great Blue Heron

(Ardea herodias)

Snowy Egret

(Egretta thula)

Great Egret

(Ardea Alba)

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