As an off-shoot of the October SuwAud Field Trip to Lafayette Springs, A sighting of a rare morning glory was made. Professional Botanist John Beckner who participated in the outing, helping with plant identifications, spotted the uncommon plant when returning to his temporary base in Old Town. The flowering vine was found growing in a thicket not ten feet from the shoulder of an asphalt road. He took samples and seed pods for possible cultivation, explaining that the plant is known from less than a dozen locations in the state of Florida. Says Beckner: "If you keep your eyes open, you'll find something new." The exact i.d. on the species is not to be divulged at present because of possible discovery and disturbance or destruction of the isolated site.

What is particularly interesting about this morning glory is that it is always found in spots where it had been cultivated hundreds of years earlier by native Americans, i.e., Indians who relished as food the large tuber which the vine produces, growing to as much as 40 pounds.

Florida is full of surprises and it would seem that Suwannee Country has more than its share! Fantastic paleo discoveries are being made in the area almost daily, Indian artifacts are almost common and Scuba divers continue to come up with stuff that amazes scientists and historians.

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SIGNIFICANT SIGHTINGS

If you see a black bear, spot a panther or a jaguarondi or a rare hummingbird, let us know or get us a picture! Our latest sightings were of cougars, two of them, one in Lafayette County on the river and the other across the river in Suwannee County. Both were not far from the river's edge and could have been fishing. Reported by a camper who had seen the cats multiple times.

If you have a significant sighting to report, send details and picture if available to SuwAud@yahoo.com