Only in Florida is a sample of some species that are state endemics - they naturally occur only in Florida.
Celestial Lily - Nemastylis floridana
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Celestial Lily is an interesting little endemic flower that is only found in the Florida peninsula, mostly in the east central portion.
The flowers only open in mid-afternoon for a few hours in the late summer and early fall.
Scrub Jay on Chop - Florida Scrub Jay - Aphelocoma coerulescens
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Our only endemic bird is the Florida scrub jay, shown here standing on freshly chopped trees as part of scrub restoration at Lyonia Preserve in Deltona.
Florida Cacalia Trio - Florida Indian Plantain - Arnoglossum floridanum
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The image of Florida Indian plantain is titled "Florida Cacalia Trio" showing three of the distinctive little flowers of this endemic plant that is also called Cacalia.
This photograph was made in Tiger Bay State Forest.
Cooter on Alligator Log - Pseudemys floridana var. peninsularis
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Curtiss' Milkweed #3 - Asclepias curtissii - Allen Hiram Curtiss (1845-1907)
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Curtiss' milkweed is another Florida endemic found mostly in scrub habitats such as Lyonia Preserve in Deltona, the big scrub of Ocala National Forest where this photograph was made, or scrubby flatwoods.
Rugel's Pawpaw - Deeringothamnus rugelii
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Rugel's pawpaw is also known as yellow squirrel banana or Rugel's false pawpaw.
The only place in the world that Rugel's pawpaw has been found is Volusia County, making it both a state and county endemic plant.
It occurs on particular types of sandy soil west of New Smyrna Beach and from around Lake Ashby north into Tiger Bay State Forest, where these photographs were made.
Also shown is the even rarer red flower form.
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Similar to the Celestial Lily (see above), but differing in that the range is in northeast Florida and this wildflower opens for only a few hours in the morning and blooms earlier in the year, from spring into early to mid summer.
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