By Sally Morrison
After this summer’s hurricanes, many of us noticed long
twisted rafts of torpedo grass and other weeds wrapped and delivered to our beaches. Though it was a lot of work to clear the debris from the water’s edge, this was one of Crooked Lake’s ways of naturally cleaning itself from unwanted invasive weeds. Many of the native plants, deep rooted and adapted to Crooked Lake’s habits, remained intact to promote the health of the lake. They filter the water, provide habitat for fish and frogs, and their specialized root systems provide erosion control.
The photos of native plants provided by our members show the beauty and benefits for our yards and the lakeshore. Cordgrass grows in the water, on the shore, or in the damp sandy edges of the lake providing erosion control. On our family beach it continues to grow and spread along the shoreline, making a lovely border. A childhood friend remembers spending hours tunneling through its magic on the shores of Crooked Lake.
Pickerel weed, duck potato and maidencane are some of the native filters that also provide habitat for fish and frogs. Instead of retaining walls, shrubs such as wax myrtle, palmetto, salt bush, partridge pea can help prevent erosion and slow water runoff, allowing it to sink in to the soil.
Native grasses such as muley grass and wildflowers, such as the asters, highlight the beach and yard. They also require little care and watering once established. Another way Crooked Lake cleans itself occurs in the dry season. As the water recedes, weeds and silt dry up leaving the lake cleaner and clearer when the water level rises again. Crooked Lake is truly an Outstanding Florida Water!