A bounty of spring wildflowers bloom along the roadside of Oslo Road to the east of US Highway 1 in the vicinity of the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area, including lots of lyre-leaved sage (Salvia lyrata) and oak leaf fleabane (Erigeron quercifolious) pictured above.
Spikes of blue flowers issue forth from the basal rosettes of lyre-shaped leaves that give this plant its common name and often are tinged with maroon markings …
The small tubular flowers of this square stemmed member of the mint family, Laminaceae, are quite attractive to butterflies, including this swallowtail that did not want to pose for the camera …
Amongst these blue spikes grow the daisy flowers (Asteracea) of oak leaf fleabane, an annual plant often found growing in moist places along roadsides …
Opening buds are quite sweet …
At lower, wetter locations grow the wonderful white flowers of star rush (Rhyncospora colorata)…
This plant is commonly known as white-topped sedge or stars a bursting …
Inter-mixed are the purple flowers of the tiny iris, commonly known as blue-eyed grass (Sisirynchium atlanticum). Volunteer Diane LaRue tells that this lovely little wildflower also grows near her home in Nova Scotia …
Nature produces wonderful wildflower displays that are difficult to replicate, but we can try … On Saturday, March 14, 2015, Kim Zarillo, Treasurer of the Florida Native Plant Society, will give a wildflower workshop in the Audubon Center that is presently under construction. Please ‘save’ the date!
Enjoy the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area 
Wow! These flowers are so beautiful, they should be listed as “fantasy flowers”! The lyre-leafed sage looks like it would attract hummingbirds to the tubular blossoms.
Judy Cassady
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