These Wildflower caches are found along the Coffee Trail off of the White Trail. THIS IS A WET WALK IN THE SWAMP. The trail will be muddy in the dry season with holes of water to be crossed. In the wet season, the water may be knee to thigh deep with deeper holes. Please be aware of your surroundings. There are alligators and snakes as well as thorny vines and poison ivy.
WATCH WHERE YOU WALK. Please do not trample the wildflowers.
CREW is rich with wildflowers. April is the peak of the wildflower season but you can find something blooming there any time of the year. Some of the species in CREW are rare and on the threatened list. Many of the wildflowers are smaller than a quarter. Please be aware of your surroundings. Enjoy!
The Grass-Pinks are terrestrial orchids with a slender stalk 14-16 inches tall. The Grass-Pinks are considered threatened in Florida. Flowering increases after the habitat is burned. The grass pink's botanical name is Calopogon which is derived from the Greek for "beautiful beard". Bees mistake the bristles on the lip for a tuft of stamens. The weight of the bee causes the lip to collapse, pressing the bee backward onto the sticky pollinia. The pollinia will then be transferred to the next flower the bee visits.
The Grass Pinks are found along the edge of sunny marshes. The flowers are ¾ - 1 inch with the plant being 10-14 inches tall. It blooms March thru May.
The CREW Dome Trail is located on Corkscrew Road. The trails are open from sunrise until sunset. Please bring plenty of water and you may need mosquito repellent for the hike. These caches have been placed with permission from the CREW Land & Water Trust and the South Florida Water Management District.