Ixia Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society

05/19/2026

Wildflower Field Trip at Bayard Conservation Area!

Join the Ixia Chapter for a guided field trip to find our namesake wildflower, the rare and endangered Bartram’s Ixia (Calydorea caelestina), in bloom.

This conservation area managed by the St. Johns River Water Management District features riverine bottomland hardwoods, pine flatwoods, and sandhill habitats protecting nearly seven miles of the St. Johns River along the eastern edge of the property.

During the trip, we’ll explore pine flatwoods and wet savanna habitats that support a remarkable diversity of endemic and fire-dependent plants and wildlife.

Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and be prepared for sunny conditions. Sun protection, bug spray, and a full water bottle are recommended.

The event is free and open to the public. No RSVP or registration is required.

Location Link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZcHicvThBabXoRdg9

We’ll meet in the parking area off SR 16, west of Shands Bridge.

Website Link: https://www.sjrwmd.com/lands/recreation/bayard/

05/08/2026

Check out these upcoming volunteer events with the St. Johns Riverkeeper.

05/08/2026

Nassau County Master Gardener Volunteer plant sale on Saturday, May 9. It looks like they will have lots of native plants for sale.

Our Spring Master Gardener Plant sale will take place on Saturday, May 9 at the Rebecca L. Jordi Extension Office (85831 Miner Road) in Yulee. The sale runs from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Remember, cash or check only! Plan to carpool if possible.

Here are just some of the plants we will have available!

We can’t wait to see everyone!

04/29/2026

Check out these lists of top Florida Native plants.

04/28/2026

The Ixia Chapter May 2026 Events Newsletter is now available. Check out the upcoming events at the link below:

04/13/2026

Our 11th Annual Native Plant Sale is this Saturday!
April 18 | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Native Park, 3306 Park Street, Jacksonville, FL 32205

Join us for our 11th annual native plant sale and explore a diverse selection of native plants ideal for Northeast Florida yards. You’ll find everything from wildflowers and shrubs to trees, vines, ferns, grasses, and groundcovers, all native and well adapted to our local environment. Many of the plants have been grown and tested in Ixia volunteers’ yards and in Native Park.

Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted for your purchases.

Friendly, knowledgeable volunteers will be available throughout the event to answer questions and help you choose the best plants for your landscape.

Several local commercial native nurseries and vendors will also be participating in the sale, and you will be able to purchase directly from them.

Stop by, stock up, and support your local ecosystem! 🌱

04/10/2026

The March Ixia Chapter meeting featured a talk about prescribed fire. This post by the NFLT illustrates a benefit of such burns.

It wasn’t here before and now it is. That’s exactly the point. 🌱

After a series of prescribed burns at Smith Lake Preserve, something we're very excited about has returned—pinewoods milkweed.

This native wildflower thrives in fire-dependent landscapes like longleaf pine forests. For years, it can lie dormant beneath the surface, waiting for the right conditions. And fire—when carefully applied—is what brings it back.

Prescribed fire clears out dense undergrowth, opens the canopy, and returns nutrients to the soil. In doing so, it creates the exact conditions species like pinewoods milkweed need to reemerge.

Milkweed is a critical host plant for butterflies including the Monarch and Queen species. Its return is a sign that the ecosystem is functioning the way it should, supporting pollinators, increasing biodiversity, and restoring balance.

At Smith Lake Preserve, this is what restoration looks like. Not just what you see immediately after a burn, but what comes back because of it. 😊

04/07/2026

Join us for a guided walk along the botanically rich Dunns Farm Trail, known for being one of the best trail systems in northeast Florida! As we explore this 3.5-mile trail, you'll experience the beauty of open longleaf pine forests, seepage slopes, and deep ravines—some featuring small waterfalls.

Additional details here: https://ixia.fnpschapters.org/events/