Walking to the back of the Native Plant Garden you will see three small trees labeled White Stopper, Simpson Stopper and Spanish Stopper.  They are common in a coastal hammock and mangrove community.  The bark is smooth, mottled and extremely hard.  Over time, multiple stems grow from the root system.  This can become an impenetrable forest.

 

Two stories have been associated with the stopper trees. 

 

Early settlers, after their long voyage at sea, often had dysentery.  They found that making a tea from the stopper leaves provided relief.

 

The other story relates to the density of the stopper groves.  The density was chronicled by Jonathon Dickinson as he explored the coast of Florida. The Spanish, while it occupied Florida, fought the native residents on horseback.  The stopper groves provided a safe haven for them. Stopper is an appropriate name.

 

The Native Plant Garden is in its spring mode with the blue spiderwort blooming mornings and red spikes of coral bean putting on a show. Enjoy!

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By Joan Klimm