Okefenokee Plant LIfe

Okefenokee Photography by William Wise. A nature photo journal exploration of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, the Land of Trembling Earth, one of the largest blackwater swamps in North America. The alligators, birds, snakes and wildlife of Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and Stephen C Foster State Park. -- "What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at Your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations." Psalms 104 The Message

Neverwet Golden Club, Orontium aquaticum, Spatterdock Lily pads, Swamp plants, Okefenokee canoe kayak trail, Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia

On this trip to the Okefenokee Wildlife I pushed myself to look beyond the gators and snakes and pay attention to something I usually neglect: the plant life.  Of course there are the stately Cypress trees adorned with waving Spanish Moss that set the backdrop for the swamp. But I also tried to take the time to learn and photograph the other vegetation: Hatpin, Spatterdock, Neverwet, Hurrah Bush, Resurrection Fern and purple Swamp Irises. 

White Water Lily flower, Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia, USA

Swamp Iris purple flower, Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia, USA

Fetterbush is also known as Stagger-bush, Hurrah-bush, Shiny Lyonia, Shining Fetterbush and Horse Wicky. Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia, USA

Okefenokee Tussock Growth

Bouquet of yellow Swamp Sunflowers on stump in black tannin water, Tickseed flower Bidens, Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Stephen C Foster Georgia State Park

The canoe trails of the Okefenokee Swamp are full of character and adventure. As one paddles through the black water, eyes peer upward at the heights of the towering cypress. But don’t forget to look ahead!, the waterways are often marked with obstacles.

One of those interesting obstructions which force some agile steering is known as Tussock Growth. A tussock is an abnormal tufted growth of vegetation on a tree or stump, typically caused by a disturbance. In the case of the Okefenokee, this “disturbance” was the logging of the swamp in the early 1900’s.

The scars and stumps of the logging operations still remain throughout the Okefenokee. Protruding from the surface during low-water periods, these remaining buttresses of harvested cypress accumulate organic matter and hold moisture; a perfect platform for the growth of grasses, wildflowers and shrubs. These tufts of vegetation dot the lakes and canals throughout the swamp, like wild hair-dos on the heads of Ents or trolls bathing in the dark waters. The Swamp is full of character… especially if you let your imagination roll! 

Eriocaulon decangulare, ten-angled pipewort, hat pin, bog button, Spatterdock Lily pads, Swamp plants, Okefenokee canoe kayak trail, Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia

Neverwet Golden Club, Orontium aquaticum, Spatterdock Lily pads, Swamp plants, Okefenokee canoe kayak trail, Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia

Okefenokee canoe trail, Spatterdock lily pad, Nuphar, Yellow Pond Lily, Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Stephen C Foster Georgia State Park

Okefenokee canoe trail, Spatterdock lily pad, Nuphar, Yellow Pond Lily, Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Stephen C Foster Georgia State Park

Southern Blueflag Iris; Iris purple flower, Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia, USA

Spatterdock Yellow Flower Lily Pad, Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

Neverwet Golden Club, Orontium aquaticum, Spatterdock Lily pads, Swamp plants, Okefenokee canoe kayak trail, Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia

Water Lily Pad Spatterdock, Okefenokee NWR, Stephen C. Foster State Park, Georgia, USA