Freshwater swamp in front of the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. Freshwater swamp near the beginning of the Cypress Swamp Boardwalk. Duckweed and water spangles are floating plants that are found throughout Florida. Water spangles have paired rounded leaves with stiff, hairs above and roots beneath. Close-up of the small aquatic plants that cover the swamp waters.
Epiphytes thrive among the tall cypress trees.
The most abundant epiphytes found within the swamp include spanish moss, ball moss, reflexed wild pine and cardinal wild pine. The gray leaves of spanish moss can be seen dangling from cypress trees all along the Cypress Swamp Boardwalk. Spanish moss is an epiphyte that is related to the pineapple. Spanish moss is commonly found throughout Florida. A cypress tree supports the flowering cardinal wild pine bromeliad.