Florida's Native Plant Communities

Alkaline, Low Nutrient Lake

  • Alkaline, Low Nutrient Lake, Lake Norris. Photo by Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter

  • Nymphaea mexicana is a species typically found in clear, groundwater-fed lakes.

Photographs belong to the photographers who allow use for FNPS purposes only.

Information

Community Variants:

N/A

Description:

Oligotrophic lakes typically receive most of their water from groundwater or from small groundwater-fed streams that carry little nutrient-rich runoff. As a result, the water is usually clear and relatively low in nutrients.


Both submersed and emergent aquatic vegetation are characteristic features of these lakes.


Example Location

  • Lake Panasoffkee (Citrus County)

Map of Florida Lakes, from Florida Lake Watch website with the map restricted to showing lakes and ponds only.  This map does not classify lakes by pH or trophic state.

References:

Florida Natural Areas Inventory. (2010). Guide to the natural communities of Florida: 2010 edition. Florida Natural Areas Inventory. http://fnai.org/naturalcommguide.cfm


Schiffer, D. M. (1998). Hydrology of central Florida lakes: A primer (U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1137). U.S. Geological Survey. http://fl.water.usgs.gov/PDF_files/c1137_schiffer.pdf


University of South Florida Water Institute. (2020). Florida atlas of lakes. https://maps.wateratlas.usf.edu/AtlasOfLakes/


Whitney, E. N., Means, D. B., & Rudloe, A. (2004). Priceless Florida: Natural ecosystems and native species. Pineapple Press.

Click to learn about different Florida plant communities or scroll through the page to see all the wonderful unique diversity to be explored.