Page 13 - Abacoa Community News - September '24

Abacoa, Page 13
Abacoa Community Garden

Porter Weed – The Native reach heights of 3 to 4 feet. Propagation is easily
Blue Porter Weed Has achieved through stem cuttings, and pruning back by
a third encourages a more compact growth. The seed
A Rich History And Is A can be harvested from the dried-out, brown spikes year-
round; seeds are retained within the bracts and can be
Robust Southern Staple mechanically removed by hand or allowed to release
naturally. Self-seeding is common.
In The Garden Native blue porter weed has a rich history and is a
robust southern staple in the garden. This versatile plant
Porter Weed (Stachytarpheta Jamaicensis) blooms throughout the year (although, and one should
Is A Low-Growing, Sprawling Wildflower note) they will refuse to open on cloudy days or if placed
With A Three-Foot Spread in too much shade. These wild blue beauties can be used
as a groundcover for border plantings, as a specimen plant
Exploring our garden often reveals delightful surprises. or in mass plantings. Porter weed adapts well to container
On the north side, a distinctive blue sign signals the gardening, offering versatility in various settings,
presence of porter weed. This plant boasts showy blue- including pots. With a cottage-garden feel, they look their
purple flowers. These edible blooms, eaten raw, taste on snakelike stems earning its best in a casual setting such as a mix of flowering plants,
exactly like mushrooms. The flower spikes, used like nicknames snake weed, blue in butterfly and/or edible gardens.
a bay leaf, add seasoning to soups and stews making a or light-blue snakeweed. Other Highly prized, with its brilliant blue flowers appearing
flavorful alternative to bay leaves for seasoning. Its name common names across the partway up the funky, swirly, upright stems, porter weed is
stems from a historical use in traditional medicine. A Caribbean include Brazilian one of South Florida’s most popular plants for its ability
natural foam occurs from the dried leaves if steeped into tea, Jamaica vervain, and, in to attract butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, and other
a tea or brewed into a beer, hence the name “porter”-weed. St. Croix, worry vine. Wildly pollinators. Porter weed is a also a larval host plant for the
Native throughout coastal south Florida as well as much found in coastal dunes, shell Tropical Buckeye butterfly and a nectar source for many
of the Caribbean, and Tropical America, the wild flower mounds and disturbed areas, it other butterfly species including the Gulf Fritillary, Julia,
is notably recognized for its peculiar tiny blue flowers typically flowers in the summer, Mangrove Skipper, Orange Sulphur, and Red Admiral. At
but can flower year-round in dusk you’ll find them joined by moths flitting back and
South Florida. forth along the dangly spikes.
Porter weed can be a bit of Garden membership runs from August 1 to July 31.
a space hog; the plant’s rapid Download forms at https://www.abacoa.com/abacoa-
growth is like that of a weed, community-garden or
hence the named “weed.” Left find one in the outside
unattended, porter weed can mailbox at the garden
entrance at 1022
Community Drive.
There is a waiting
list for independent
beds but if interested,
just check the box.
Stop by, especially
Saturday mornings,
Porter weed host and nectar supply for the Tropical Buckeye and check out our
larvae, caterpillar and butterfly. Facebook page.

Stronger Together. For You.

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