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This blog chronicles an exploration of Jungle Gardens and Avery Island and tells the story of each plant that has been discovered and identified.

 
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Aralia spinosa Devil’s Walking Stick – New to Avery Island
Aralia spinosa Devil’s Walking Stick – New to Avery Island

Its always exciting to discover a new plant species on Avery Island and especially one that is native to Louisiana. On May 24th, I found a small grove of Aralia spinosa, Devils Walking stick growing in a wooded area near DeVance Pond, which is located in the center of the Island.

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Avery Island’s Bird City in Jungle Gardens
Avery Island’s Bird City in Jungle Gardens

Bird City is a private wildfowl refuge or bird sanctuary located in Jungle Gardens, on Avery Island. It was founded by Tabasco sauce heir and conservationist Edward Avery McIlhenny. McIlhenny established the refuge around 1895 on his approximately 175-acre estate.

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Boat House Iris returns to Jungle Gardens
Boat House Iris returns to Jungle Gardens

After nearly 50 years an Iris from the Gardens comes home!

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Kurogane Holly : Ilex rotunda
Kurogane Holly : Ilex rotunda

The Kurogane Holly or Round Leaf Holly is perhaps the rarest of the many hollies that occur in Jungle Gardens. Only four large trees and two small ones are known to occur in the gardens.

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Spanish Moss or Tillandsia usneoides
Spanish Moss or Tillandsia usneoides

Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) is not a moss at all, but rather an epiphytic flowering plant in the Bromeliad family.  It is found growing upon larger trees in tropical and subtropical climates.

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