The Nature Trail at Sugar Mill Ruins is surprisingly diverse and interesting. At each numbered marker along the way, you can learn a little bit more about the items that make this Nature Trail a Volusia County hidden treasure.
Marker 2: Giant Air Plant on an old Live Oak with other Epiphytes
Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants. They are not parasitic but rather capture all of the nutrients and water they need through the air or from debris on their host plant. Our walk today features numerous epiphytes including this Giant (Wild Pine) Air Plant.
There is another nice specimen on the elm tree about fifteen feet below and to the right of this one. As you walk through the trail keep an eye up in the tree canopy and on the trunks and branches for numerous epihpytes including the Wild Pine Airplant and several other related species.
The Live Oak Tree is a favorite landing spot for many epiphytes in the State of Florida and you will spot many on this walk. Before we move on, take a look up in the trees for another familiar epiphyte. That stringy substance is Spanish Moss. Surprisingly, Spanish Moss is in the Bromeliad family. This thick plant is harmless to the host tree, and quite important to local animals and insects. It was also used by indigenous people in the area, as well as early settlers for numerous purposes.
As a side note, we often spot squirrels on this portion of the trail.
Go to Marker 3 Fruit Trees
Thank you to the following folks who generously donated their time and expertise to identifying the plants on this nature trail: Raymond Jarrett, David Griffis, Trey Hannah and Kalan Taylor.