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JANUARY 2024 941.312.0665 | 27TH STATE MEDIA, LLC LRC HOLIDAY PARTY
Invasive Plants Like Florida for the Same Reasons We Do By Suzanne BeDell
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THE ICONIC SABEL PALMETTO
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LMA BOARD CANDIDATES
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KID’S CORNER: BROOKS FLOOD, 6½
Florida, along with Hawaii, ties for the top location worldwide for invasive plants. They like it for the same reasons that we do: warm temperatures, lots of sun, good periodic rains. However, these invasive plants are botanical gate crashers that outcompete native vegetation, alter natural habitats, and negatively impact biodiversity. This harm is well understood by Landings residents, many ranked removals of invasives as a priority for The Landings and the LMA. Let’s take a closer look at three invasive plants that have made themselves at home in The Landings. Left unchecked they will diminish and overrun our mangroves and other native plants, plants that are our best defense against flooding, habitat loss, and soil erosion. 1. Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) Vibrant red berries nestled in bright green foliage has earned this plant the nickname Florida Holly. But Brazilian pepper is one of the most notorious invaders in our region, creating a dense canopy that shades out all other plants and provides a very poor habitat for native species. Bertha Palmer, a prominent socialite, and businesswoman is often associated with the introduction of the Brazilian peppertree to Florida in the 1800s. In addition to its good looks, it was hoped that Brazilian pepper could be a potential crop to produce pink peppercorns. However, the berries of the Brazilian pepper tree are generally not considered to be safe for eating. In quantity, they can cause gastric distress. In the same family as poison ivy, Brazilian pepper plants contain chemicals that can cause skin and respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. This is certainly not something the Kitchen Ladies (or anyone) would want in a dish! Look for Brazilian peppers behind the Racquet Club shed and all along the fence. 2. Australian Pine (Casuarina
equisetifolia) Another invasive introduced with good intention is the Australian pine. It was introduced to Florida in the late 1800s, for shade, as a windbreak, and to stabilize canals and ditches. In the 1950s, John Ringling planted Australian pines along the entire length of Gulf of Mexico Drive (then named after himself). The fallen leaves created a constant fire hazard. Despite its name, this plant is not a true pine but an angiosperm. It is a prolific seed spreader. It is salt water tolerant and outcompetes native plants that provide critical habitat with its rapid growth and aggressive tendencies. Habitats disturbed by both human activities and natural events seem particularly prone to invasions by Australian pine. Because of its shallow root system, it tends to uproot and topple during storms. Look for Australian pine behind the Cloisters near the fork of the Nature Trail. 3. Carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardioides) The tree gets its common name, carrot wood, from the carrot-like appearance of its wood when cut. When carrotwood was introduced to the United States in the mid-20 th century from Australia and Indonesia there was a general interest in diversifying the range of ornamental plants available for landscaping. With its attractive foliage, resistance to pests, relatively fast growth rate and tolerance of various soil conditions, it seemed an ideal candidate. However, over time, carrotwood has become invasive in Florida. The tree produces many seeds, which are dispersed by birds and water, and outcompetes native plants destroying wildlife habitat. Look for carrotwood behind the Racquet Club south of the shed where there is a large stand and many seedlings. All three plants are listed as a Category I invasive species by the Florida Invasive
Species Council. This classification means they are highly invasive and cause significant damage by displacing native vegetation and disrupting natural ecosystems in Florida. Eradication and control require collaboration, long term commitment and follow up. While these three are the most problematic invasives in The Landings, there are others, some of which are sold
as garden plants in nurseries. Learn a lesson from Berta and John! Before you pull out, share, or purchase a plant, always do your research. The University of Florida IFAS Assessment of NonNative Plants in Florida’s Natural Areas (https://floridainvasivespecies.org/ plantlist2019.cfm) is an excellent resource for checking a plant’s invasive status.
Participant in the Father/Son Tournament goes thru the legs to win the point.
Go to page 24 for more coverage of the Father/Son Tournament.
Photo by Rick Waller.
Volunteers Who Work for You in The Landings Louis Goncalves
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USTA 2023 CHAMPS
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This is the fifteenth in a series of articles highlighting the special volunteers who help to make The Landings such a wonderful community. The Eagle interviewed Louis Goncalves for this Issue. Louis has seen the world. Originally from the Cape Verde Islands off the Northwest coast of Africa, he came to America to join the rest of his family when he was 6 years old with his parents, brother, and two sisters, settling in Rhode Island. After high school, his passion for aviation took him to Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. In 1994, he applied for and was accepted into the Navy Flight Training school in Pensacola. He eventually switched careers and rose in the ranks and became an Aerospace Maintenance/Logistics Officer. During his career in the Navy, Louis was assigned to nine different commands located in Norfolk, San Diego, Japan, Maryland, and the Pentagon. In 2009 he married Rose, who also served in the Navy as general medical
officer in San Diego. Rose is currently an emergency room physician at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. They have two children, Louie who is 11 and Elina who is 14. He learned of Sarasota from Rose after she planned several family vacations here. Upon h is ret i rement, t hey decided to rent a place on Siesta Key in 2017. Sarasota appealed to them and especially the public schools. When they began looking for a home, the Cloisters in The Landings was their first choice due to its central location and beautiful landscaping. It didn’t take long for Louis to get involved in the community shortly after moving to Sarasota. He became a member of the Guys at Phillippi Elementary (GAP) supporting his kid’s school with fundraising efforts. He also made new friends in the process. He joined the board of the Cloisters HOA and became its treasurer. In addition, he serves as maintenance chair for the Cloisters. He was also asked to serve on the LMA finance committee and has been a key leader
and organizer for the Halloween family trick or treat night. You can thank him for all the wonderful blowups seen throughout The Landings leading up to Halloween. As if this wasn’t enough, he has recently joined the LMA Security Committee to assist some of the overworked members. Louis is a certified USA swimming official and supports all his daughter’s swim meets with the Sarasota Sharks, and volunteers on his son’s soccer team. He enjoys watching the stock market and doing his own investing. He describes himself as “an outdoors type of guy”, enjoying skiing, scuba diving, golf, cycling, and running. When asked what he likes most about The Landings, he responded by saying “the landscaping is special, the people are nice, I feel safe and welcomed. I especially like the scenery and the nature trail.” Louis is a man of faith and is deeply involved with his church, Light of the World, and their community outreach ministry. He volunteers providing direct services, food and Christmas
activities to low-income families in the Newtown area of Sarasota. When asked what he would like to see improved in The Landings, he noted the need for a longer and safer running area. He is looking forward to getting to know more people and participate in more Landings activities. Thank you, Louis, for all you do for The Landings and in the general community.