Fort Lauderdale Nature Tour: Tropical Landscapes, Native Plants and Hidden Parks

Just outside the Tropics, South Florida enjoys a subtropical climate. The Gulf Stream’s warmth buffers winter cold, allowing the region to function "economically" as a tropical zone because of the winter vegetables and exotic fruit cultivated here. Still, our native plant communities reveal a rich palette where Subtropical and Tropical species overlap. More palm species grow in Southeast Florida than in any other region globally, further blurring climatic zones. Florida has 11 native palm species, more than any other state. The coconut palm however is native to India. The tree species that has grown here in the greatest number is South Florida Slash Pine. Royal Poinciana is native to Madagascar, Bougainevillea is native to Mexico. The orange is native to China. Colorful Hibiscus species are native to Madagascar, Tropical Asia and the South Pacific. Follow me and your eyes will open to the subtle beauty of our native landscapes, while you come to appreciate the minimalist geology of the land.

- Pine Flatwoods remnant - 1639 NE 26th Drive - Old growth Bald Cypress off South Fork Middle River, east of Wilton Drive - Live Oaks in Holiday Park near Sunserve - Tropical Hardwood Hammock - Secret Woods Nature Center - Hugh Taylor Birch State Park - Cypress Grove Drive, Palm Aire - Middle River and tributaries - Middle River - Coral Ridge - Atlantic Coastal Ridge - Victoria Park - NE 17th Way, Victoria Park, the street of amazing trees. - Atlantic Coastal Ridge - Rio Vista - Atlantic Coastal Ridge - Cliff Lake, Lauderdale Harbors