NATURALIST'S 



NOTEBOOK 



Natural Beauties: 



Coastal Flora Bountiful 



By Odile Fredericks 



Q 



n a summer wander along the 

 coast, a glimpse of a wildflower blooming 

 quiedy in the sand or grass is a gift from 

 nature for those who seek simple pleasures. 



"What a wonderful feeling it is, to 

 happen upon curious and beautiful plants, 

 and the chance discovery of nature's 

 unexpected gifts," says James Ward, a 

 curator with the North Carolina Botanical 

 Garden in Chapel Hill. 



Beach Morning Glory, Ipomoea siolonifera 



"You go out looking and not knowing 

 exactly what you're going to see, and what a 

 feeling of surprise when you see how much 

 is there," he adds. 



The coastal plain abounds with a range 

 of summer wildflowers waiting to reveal 

 themselves. Annoying sandspurs attach their 

 prickly selves to your socks. Gorgeous 

 water lilies and mysterious, carnivorous 

 Venus flytraps capture your attention. 



Native Americans have long used 

 coastal flora to their advantage. In the 

 maritime forests hugging the coast, for 

 example, they gathered Spanish moss to 

 make cords and floor mats, stuffing for 

 pillows, tinder for fire and absorbent pads to 

 remove cooking scum. 



Today, most people seek wildflowers 

 for their beauty in the spring, but the 



Continued 



COASTWATCH 29 



