Local encounters endangered pitcher plants along South Walton creek
Local Santa Rosa Beach resident Josh Foreman happened upon some rare beauties – endangered indigenous pitcher plants, on a walk near Camp Creek Golf Course recently.
Josh explains: “Yellow pitcher plants (Sarracenia Flava) first caught my eye near a small creek flowing east towards Alys Beach, after following the creek a short distance my eyes found a little patch of young white topped pitcher plants (Sarracenia leucophylla) ready to grow up. This particular variety is found along the Gulf Coast.
Mississippi has less than 20 sites, Alabama has less than 100 sites and Florida has less than 100 as well. Development and fire suppression have contributed to the decline of good sites as woody vegetation is allowed to encroach on sites and shade the sun-loving pitcher plants.
Josh Foreman is a Santa Rosa Beach resident and owner of 30A Bike Rentals. For more information, go to www.30abikerentals.com