Less than a half mile into the cypress swamp, a boardwalk spur gradually rises to an elevated observation platform overlooking the central marsh, which is encircled by the old-growth cypress forest.

In South Florida, sawgrass marshes dominate. The soil is organic, built up over hundreds of years from dead plant material -- peat. Typical marsh plants are sawgrass, pickerel weed, cattails, and bulrush, although the coastal plain willow is colonizing the area. Periodic fires help restore regular marsh vegetation.

During the spring, wood stork nesting colonies can be observed with binoculars and spotting scopes in the tops of cypress trees on the north and west edges of the marsh. Swallow-tailed kites, vultures, anhingas, and storks catch thermals to soar high above the marsh while vireos, cardinals, and blackbirds search for food among the plants. Raccoons hunt along the ground while alligators and otters are in the wetter areas.

Queen butterflies utilize the twining White Vine as a nectar source and larval plant, while Viceroy butterflies prefer the willow.

 Central Marsh

Scarlet Hibiscus Viceroy White Vine

Raccoon Red Maple

Green Anole Cardinal

Swallow-tailed Kite   Continue along the boardwalk to the Lettuce Lakes by clicking the arrow.

Tour intro | Pine Flatwood | Wet Prairie | Pond Cypress | Bald Cypress Forest | Central Marsh | Lettuce Lakes | Blair Center