ISL AND HOME islander Staghorn fern is vegetated art

The staghorn fern is a tropical plant native to the Philippines, Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Australia, Madagascar, Africa and America Mainly known for their growth in northern Florida, they can also thrive in Southwest Florida, with the most common type for our area being the Platycerium superbum

Known for their artistic look with their two distinctive fronds the foliar fronds (fertile fronds) and the basil fronds (sterile fronds)

The foliar fronds are the brownish fronds that are erect or pendant-shaped and have spores on the underside called sporangia that, when germinated, form new plants The basil fronds are the most apparent fronds that have rounded, thick overlapping layers with an upper portion that resembles the horns on male deer This is where it gets its staghorn name

It thrives in a tropical environment with filtered light where it’s off the ground and can naturally gather rainwater It gathers its nutrients by trapping debris within its rounded fronds and from the fronds that slowly decay in the inner core or “nest” of the plants. The ferns like a slightly acidic environment, so to encourage growth in propagated plants, some growers recommend adding used tea leaves or banana peels directly to the plant's nest

This slow-growing plant can live for decades in the ideal environment and can eventually grow to as much as a meter in width and height and weigh more than 100 pounds

Staghorn ferns can be artistically grown on a small piece of driftwood when it’s small to serve as a piece of art on an accent wall, tree or column But keep in mind that it will continue to grow around the driftwood and eventually need to be moved into a more supportive wooden or wire structure to allow it to have something to grow around Ideally, it will need to be hung up in a large tree or from a very sturdy frame structure

If you are looking for a unique focal point in your landscape that needs very little care, a couple of properly placed staghorn ferns might be just what you are looking for

In The Garden is a joint effort by all at the local garden center, at 3889 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel For more information, contact 239-395-5859 or visit www.facebook.com/rswalshinthegarden.

Sanibel Captiva

F.I.S.H. to host monthly luncheon with speaker

F I S H of Sanibel-Captiva is continuing its community-wide Friendly Faces Luncheon The next one will be held on J u l y 1 1 a t 1 1 a m a t t h e S a n i b e l Recreation Center, with a virtual option available

I t w i l l f e a t u r e J e n n C a r o l l u z z i , ReUnite Program coordinator for the United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades She will discuss ReUnite, a potentially life-saving program designed to reduce the search time for a missing individual, and the pet therapy program Beesley's.

“We are really looking forward to learning more about these very important programs,” Senior Services Director Erika Broyles said “The United Way ReUnite Program aids first responders in search and rescue operations for individuals, particularly those at-risk with cognitive disabilities, through use of a scent kit, which potentially reduces search time The Beesley's program brings pets to agencies and

Black torch is threatened species

By SANIBEL-CAPTIVA CONSERVATION FOUNDATION

Black torch (Erithalis fruticose) is an evergreen shrub, and its lightly fragrant white flowers bloom throughout the year The fruits are plentiful and start out greenish-white, maturing to pink to dark purple or black when ripened Birds love the berries, and the Miami blue butterfly uses the flowers for nectar The black torch grows well in coastal communities with high-pH soils It can tolerate saltwater inundation and did well with Hurricane Ian’s storm surge It does best in moist soils but can take short periods of dry weather The black torch is listed as a threatened species in Florida because many of the coastal hammocks in which it grows have been lost to development schools to help stimulate laughter and joy in people whose lives have been affected by illness or depression ”

She noted that over 30 community members took part in the June luncheon

“We were so happy to reconnect,” Broyles said “Friendly Faces offers an opportunity to reconnect, while learning about offerings in our area We hope to see many more of you in July!”

Prepared by the Sanibel Deli, the lunch will be complimentary for those who attend in-person. Reservations and meal choices are required by July 7

For more information or to make a reservation, contact the F I S H Walk-In-Center at 239-472-4775 Once registered, F I S H will provide Zoom instructions for those planning to attend virtually

The Sanibel Recreation Center is at 3880 SanibelCaptiva Road, Sanibel