Zebra Swallowtails (photo #1) are stunning. With their black and white zebra-like stripes and long tails, they are definitely Florida’s most easily recognizable Swallowtail. Their wingspans range from 2.5-4 inches (spring individuals are usually smaller than those from later generations) and their stripes help camouflage them: the stripes make it difficult to see and track the butterflies as they glide in and out of shadows.

Zebra Swallowtails lay single pale lime green eggs (see photo #2) on young leaves of host plants, which, in Florida, include small flower pawpaw (Asimina parviflora), netted pawpaw (Asimina reticulata), large flower pawpaw (Asimina obovata) and common pawpaw small tree (Asimina triloba). Caterpillars are green or brown, with yellow, black and blue bands that are typically hidden (see photo #4). Caterpillars will frequently hide on the bottoms of leaves, in flowers, or even in the leaf litter at the bottom of its host plant, usually feeding at night. Interestingly, Asimina Webworm Moth caterpillars (Omphalocera munroei) (see photo #3) also feed on pawpaw leaves, buds and twigs, and by eating older leaves of the pawpaw, Asimina Webworm Moth caterpillars encourage new growth favored by Zebra Swallowtail caterpillars.

Pawpaws are pollinated by beetles, not Zebra swallowtails (see photo #5 below) which shows two color forms of Emerald Flower Scarab, Trichiotinus lunulatus.  This is the beetle often responsible for pawpaw pollination.

Zebra Swallowtails are rarely seen in urban Tampa areas, but, during the spring and fall, I’ve seen them flying at Lettuce Lake Park, Violet Cury Preserve, and in various preserve areas in Riverview within Hillsborough County. These areas have moist low woodlands and plenty of pawpaw. See the young fruit below in photo #6.

Pawpaw (Asimina triloba) is a small (15 to 20 feet) understory tree that typically grows along streams, low bottom woods, and in floodplains. The plant does not self-pollinate, but if fertilized, the pawpaw’s springtime maroon flowers can produce the largest edible fruit native to North America by late summer. It typically requires 2 plants to cross pollinate to get fruit. Often described as tasting like a cross between a banana and a mango, pawpaw can be eaten raw, used to make jams, ice cream or flavor beer, or cooked in breads and pies. In addition, the pawpaw, like several shrubs in the custard apple (Annonaceae) family, is the food source for Zebra Swallowtail caterpillars. September 16 is National Pawpaw Day. Why not celebrate by planting two of them?

Slender goldenrod aka Wand goldenrod (Solidago stricta) is a long-lived perennial in the Asteraceae family whose native habitat include wet and coastal areas with well-drained soils. This is one of many species of goldenrod that can be found throughout Florida and one of the very best goldenrods for the home landscape as it is adaptable to most soils. With showy plume-like clusters of tiny yellow, daisy-like flowers atop stems that can easily reach 5 feet tall, this low-maintenance plant usually blooms in our area between September and November and is winter dormant. Like many goldenrods, slender goldenrod performs best in full sun to partial shade. It spreads by seed. Slender goldenrod also tolerates occasional salty wind and occasional brief inundation if there is a storm surge. It is an important nectar source for a variety of our native pollinators in the fall and migrating Monarchs. You may even find the goldenrod soldier beetle and many species of wild bees when these plants are in bloom. Slender goldenrod pairs really well with red tropical sage (Salvia coccinea), narrowleaf ironweed (Vernonia angustifolia) and blazing stars (Liatris spp.) Although people frequently blame goldenrods for causing hay fever, the real culprits are ragweeds (Ambrosia spp.): the plants flower around the same time each year but it’s ragweeds’ wind-borne pollen that triggers allergic reactions in many people.

Get your Swagon! 

Solar Wind Chime 

As we begin to have less daylight, enjoy this twinkling light solar glass and metal windchime.  Available in hummingbird, butterfly and dragonfly designs.

Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) is a vigorous, deciduous woody vine that can grow up to 40 feet. Equally happy trailing along the ground as a ground cover or climbing a support (including trees and walls), can also be grown in a pot with a trellis or even a hanging basket. The tendrils have sticky disks that allow it to attach to just about any surface to help it climb. However, these disks are easily removed as they do not penetrate the walls. The leaves of this plant turn a brilliant red, purple, and mauve in the fall and its blue berries are an extremely important food for migratory birds and small mammals. It is pollinated by bees and other pollinators and the larval host plant for the Virginia creeper sphynx moth (Darapsa Myron) and the day flying Grapeleaf skeletonizer moth (Harrisina americana) (see photo #1), based on our experience here at the nursery this past year. The thick foliage also provides shelter for wildlife. At the back of the nursery this vine is quite large and a big stop over for quite a few species of birds in the fall (see photo #2).  This plant can be aggressive and reseeds easily and can be started from cuttings. Something to consider depending on where you plant it is the potential vigorous growth.

Virginia creeper is an easy-to-grow plant that tolerates urban conditions. It needs a medium amount of water and soils with good drainage.  It prefers full or partial sun with full sun producing more brilliant fall colors in the plant’s leaves. Don’t confuse it with poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans): Virginia creeper tends to have groups of five leaflets while poison ivy normally has groups of three. As a child I learned this rhyme, “Leaves of three, let it be; Leaves of five, let it thrive.”

Apparently a dye can be made from the fruits. Fruits are said to be edible but not tasty. The Cherokee used an infusion made from this plant for the treatment of jaundice caused by liver problems. The Creek tribe use this plant as a treatment for gonorrhea. Many northern tribes had myriad medicinal applications for this plant. (FNPS.org Ethnobotany)

In celebration of National Pawpaw day, mid-month, join us for a presentation

by Anita Camacho and Jordan Parker: “The Swallowtail Cocktail”.  Limited seats available.