FOREST
The forested portion occupies a band on the eastern end of the island and is dominated by slash pine, Pinus elliottii. This canopy of pines attains a height which approximates that of the dunes. Within the drier southeast portion of the forest, common understory plants include Quercus virginiana, Serenoa repens, Conradina canescens and several species of Vaccinium. Common herbs include Eupatorium rotundifolium, Solidago microcephala, Vernonia angustifolia, Balduina uniflora, Helianthus radula, and several species of Polygala and Rhexia.
There are fresh water swamps in depressions within the pine forest. The dominant canopy species is water gum, Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora. At the periphery of these swamps are found shrubs such as Cephalanthus occidentalis and Sapium sebiferum as well as herbs such as Carex glaucescens, Saururus cernuus, Utricularia inflata and several species of Panicum, Osmunda and Woodwardia.
The western and northern portions of the forest are more mesic. In some of the areas the pine canopy is quite open and sweet gum, Liquidambar styraciflua, becomes the dominant understory tree. Common shrubs are Rhus copallina, Myrica cerifera and several species of Ilex. Less common species include Magnolia virginiana and Persea palustris.
| Latin Name | Family | Flower Color | Growth Habit | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asclepiadaceae | Orange-red | herb | Asclepias lanceolata - flower | |
| Asclepiadaceae | Orange-red | herb | Asclepias lanceolata - flower | |
| Asclepiadaceae | Orange-red | herb | Asclepias lanceolata - flower | |
| Asclepiadaceae | Orange-red | herb | Asclepias lanceolata - flower | |
| Asteraceae | white | herb | Chaptalia tomentosa | |
| Lamiaceae | Purple to white | shrub | Conradina canescens | |
| Asteraceae | yellow | herb | Coreopsis lanceolata- plant | |
| Asteraceae | yellow | herb | Coreopsis lanceolata- flowers | |
| Convolvulaceae | creamy white | herb | Cuscuta pentagona | |
| Convolvulaceae | creamy white | herb | Cuscuta pentagona | |
| Euphorbiaceae | White | herb | Euphorbia corollata - flower | |
| Ericacceae | Rose to pink | shrub | Lyonia lucida - flower | |
| Ericaceae | pink | herb | Lyonia lucida | |
| Ericaceae | Rose-pink to white | shrub | Lyonia lucida | |
| Ericaceae | Rose- Pink to White | shrub | Lyonia lucida | |
| Nyssaceae | Insignificant | tree | Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora | |
| Nyssaceae | tree | Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora | ||
| Fabaceae | White | herb | Petalostemum pinnatum | |
| Fabaceae | White | herb | Petalostemum pinnatum | |
| Fabaceae | White | herb | Petalostemum pinnatum |