Big Burl

Karen Schuster (Class of 2009), Indian River Photo Club Secretary, sent me marvelous photos from the Dune to Lagoon walk led by Dr. Jay Barnhart at Sebastian Inlet State Park on Saturday, 4/19/2014, including this picture of a gorgeous gall on a gumbo limbo tree (Bursera simarouba). A burl is a rounded outgrowth on a tree trunk or branch, often caused by stress from an injury, virus, or fungus. Burl wood is prized for its interesting grain.

Pretty “pinked” leaves adorn this rouge plant (Rivina humilis) likely stressed by cold, wind, and/or sun …
Strangler fig roots (Ficus aurea) proved photogenic …

Supple and unstressed was this new frond of the epiphytic cabbage palm fern (Phlebodium aureum) …

Looks like the group had a great time …

Many thanks to Karen Schuster for sharing her fabulous photos!