NEV 

 BO; 



TORREYA 



Vol. 34 November-December, 1934 No. 6 



Some Botanical Notes From the Land of Flowers 

 Julius M. Johnson 



Much reading of separates, by a well-known authority on 

 the plants of Florida, had whetted the writer's botanical ap- 

 petite to a razor-edged keenness. When the opportunity came 

 to appease that hunger the few meals only increased the desire 

 for more. It will take many more trips to the land of flowers, 

 tourists and real-estate projects before a surfeit becomes a 

 possibility. 



As is usual when man touches nature there is a devastation 

 on every side, some of it inevitable in the settlement of the land 

 and much of it due to indifference, carelessness and worse. 



So extensive has this destruction of native flora been that 

 some far-sighted people have already set aside certain typical 

 areas that future generations may get some idea of the richness 

 of plant life in its primeval condition. The Royal Palm State 

 Park, near Cape Sable, and Matheson's Hammock, a few miles 

 from Miami, are good illustrations of this movement. Some 

 state forest areas in the northern part of the state may help in 

 this good work. 



Aside from the cultivation of large areas for garden truck 

 and citrus fruit, perhaps the most destructive agent is uncon- 

 trolled fires, especially in the pine lands which, together with 

 the everglades, occupy a large part of the state. The nature 

 lover and even the casual tourist is appalled at the recklessness 

 of the burning. Fires are deliberately set and allowed to burn 

 themselves out regardless of the effect upon the scenery or the 

 vegetation. Although the larger pine trees and palms are not 

 killed there are few, or no, young trees to replace the old as 

 all the undergrowth is destroyed. The result is that there is 

 hardly a real pine forest in the whole of central and southern 

 Florida. Some of this burning is necessary for the clearing of 

 the land but a large part of it is unnecessary. 



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