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 3: Wild Oranges and a Loquat tree
Although it is still an important commercial crop often associated with The Sunshine State, the Orange is actually not native to Florida. The first seeds were brought into the United States by the Spaniards likely around the time that they settled St. Augustine.
It might surprise you to learn that at one time New Smyrna featured many large orange groves, including one of the first in the country. Wild remnants of those early settled days can be found here in the park. When they are not fruiting you can tell the wild orange trees by their thorny branches. The fruit from these wild trees is almost always sour.
As an aside, there is a wild Tangerine tree just past the exit of the nature trail as well.
The tree behind you with the large green leaves is a Loquat. This evergreen is a native of China, and like the oranges, it was likely brought to this area for its fruit. The small orange fruit is edible and the leaves are sometimes used for tea.
Go to Marker 4 Snags
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.