Florida Springs in Peril
A recent visit to the Silver Glen Springs in the Ocala National Forest, left me wondering once again at the obliviousness of human beings when it comes to our environment—the environment that keeps us alive. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the land on which we build our homes and cities, and the forests we take for granted require our support and understanding. More about that below, but first, I want to share the bounty of Florida summer wetland wildflowers that we saw on the road to the springs.
Edibles Along the Road
While would not, of course, have picked any of these plants, we did see a number of native species on the road to the Silver Glen Springs. including swamp hibiscus (Hibiscus grandiflorus), pickerel weed (Pontederia cordata) in full bloom, duck potato (Sagittaria lancifolia), star rush (Rhynchospora colorata) and the beautiful white blossoms of loblolly bays (Gordonia lasianthus).
Before sampling any wetlands plants, be sure the areas where you gather them are free from pollutants or pathogens and that you are gathering the plants legally—not, for instance, inside the Ocala National Forest!
Malvaceaes (Hibiscus spp.) are renowned for their immensely demulcent properties, and the flowers and leaves were used in that way by native people to relieve sore throats and soothe the bowel and kidney.
Pickerel weed seeds can be eaten right off the plant, dried, or boiled as a grain for cereal. Dried seeds were ground and used by native people for flour. In her book, I Eat Weeds, Phyllis Bowers writes that she uses the young leafstalks, gathered in early summer before the leaves uncurl. Chop the young leafstalks and add to salads or boil for 10 minutes and serve as a potherb.
Native people as well as European settlers enjoyed “duck potatoes” roasted or boiled. These wetland plants are harvested in the late fall when the leaves have died off. Herbalist Doug Elliott notes that they can be raked from bottom and gathered as they float to the surface.
Degradation of Florida Springs
We are part of a connected system, but as Daniel Goleman reminds us in Ecological Intelligence, human beings are hardwired for responses to immediate stimuli, not to long term changes such as climate change. We will react quickly when a snake crosses our path, but we are languid when it comes to minute changes in temperature. This unfortunate biology puts us in peril and should alarm us enough to use our brains and intellect to noodle out the consequences of our actions regarding our environment. The overused example of the frog in the slowly heating pot of water is still the most apt example of our folly. The frog could jump out but does notice the increase in temperature until it is too late.
Regardless of what springs I visit, boats crowd the mouths as close as possible. Propellers disrupt river grasses, oil and gasoline leak into the streams and cause damage to creatures and flora from microscopic to macroscopic and change the natural chemical balance of the water. But all that those who motor up the river care about is there recreational activity. Little thought goes to the effect of their actions. It should be a privilege to visit the springs and we should do so with reverence and care, leaving our polluting machines well away. How about rowing up to the springs? Or only allowing boats with electric motors to venture close these endangered watersheds.
My friend Lynne and I wandered down the boardwalk at Silver Glen toward the boils, where the water system erupts from its deep underground journey, literally boiling up through the sand. On this short walk, we encountered two disparate families.
A seven-year-old of the first family we encountered excitedly told us all about the boils, where they were and what they were for. She wanted to be sure we saw all of them! She was bossy and well-informed. Her father was slightly embarrassed at her loquacity and forwardness, but we thought she was adorable and that it was great that she knew so much.
A bit later another family wandered down the boardwalk. They were louder and more boisterous. Despite the sign that clearly said “Restricted Area,” the children jumped off the boardwalk and began splashing and playing in the boil area. The parents were concerned about whether or not the children had hurt themselves jumping from the boardwalk and whether they were “playing nice.” The parents and the children were oblivious to fact that they were trampling through a special habitat. I wanted to say something, but did not intervene. I wished that I had had ranger’s badge and could have ordered them out of the boil. This family is not alone in its ignorance and obliviousness.
Clearly some educational materials aimed at children are vital to protecting this natural resource. The seven-year-old had retained and understood enough information about the springs to know they are special. The other family just needed the opportunity to learn and understand as well. Teaching children about the importance of preserving our natural environments is self-sustaining proposition. They will teach their parents and their own children when the time comes. Spending funds to educate youngsters are dollars well spent.