Canaveral National Seashore Apollo Beach Boardwalk 5
Sound
On/Off
[ Date ]
06 18 2026
This location lies along the western margin of the Indian River Lagoon system near Oak Hill. The site occupies a low-lying coastal plain influenced by tidal exchange, saline soils, and lagoon hydrology. Vegetation is dominated by salt-tolerant marsh and shoreline species including black mangrove, saltwort, sea oxeye, sea blite, and marsh elder. Wind exposure, high humidity, and proximity to open water create conditions that favor coastal wetland communities adapted to periodic inundation and elevated salinity.
[ Geographic Features ]
Barrier Island, Lagoon, Shoreline, Wetland, Watershed, Coastal Plain, Mangrove Fringe
[ Patterns of Land Use ]
Waterfront access, Conservation land
[ Data Set ]
5:04 PM EST
28.856722, -80.776417
85°F / Humidity: 80%
Wind 16 mph, Wind Gusts: 22 mph, Wind Direction: 141° (SE)
A narrow path follows the length of the peninsula, suspended between two bodies of water. To the west, the lagoon opens into broad, wind-textured shallows broken by low mangrove islands. To the east, beyond the dunes and scrub, the Atlantic moves with greater force, its presence carried inland by salt, wind, and shifting sand.
The vegetation reflects this position between worlds. Mangroves occupy the water's edge while dune grasses, saw palmetto, and scattered cabbage palms hold the higher ground. The path passes through alternating pockets of shade and exposure, at times enclosed by dense vegetation, at others opening suddenly to wide views across the lagoon.
Evidence of change is everywhere. Exposed roots extend into the water. Fallen trunks rest along the shoreline. Sand collects and disappears with storms and tides. The boundary between land and water appears stable from a distance, yet closer inspection reveals a landscape in continual adjustment.
Small movements animate the margins. Lizards pause on sunlit surfaces before disappearing into cover. Butterflies drift above the shrubs. Wind pushes across the lagoon, bending grasses toward the interior. The water responds immediately, its surface darkening and brightening beneath passing gusts.
[ Plants ]
Black Mangrove
Common Names: Black Mangrove
Botanical Name: Avicennia germinans
Salt-tolerant coastal shrub or small tree found along estuaries, lagoons, and protected shorelines. Black mangroves stabilize sediments, protect shorelines from erosion, and provide critical habitat for fish, birds, and invertebrates.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Avicennia
Species: A. germinans
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Saltwort
Common Names: Saltwort, Turtleweed, Seaside Saltwort, Pickleweed
Botanical Name: Batis maritima
Succulent perennial shrub common in coastal marshes and mangrove margins. Adapted to highly saline soils, it provides habitat for small wildlife and helps stabilize shoreline sediments.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Bataceae
Genus: Batis
Species: B. maritima
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Sea Oxeye
Common Names: Sea Oxeye, Bushy Sea Oxeye, Sea Oxeye Daisy, Sea-Marigold
Botanical Name: Borrichia frutescens
Native flowering shrub of salt marshes and coastal shorelines. Its bright yellow flowers attract pollinators while dense root systems help reduce erosion in tidal environments.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Borrichia
Species: B. frutescens
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Annual Seablite
Common Names: Annual Seablite, Sea Blite, White Sea-Blite
Botanical Name: Suaeda maritima
Low-growing salt-tolerant herb found in coastal marshes and tidal wetlands. It thrives in saline soils and contributes to the ecological diversity of shoreline habitats.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Suaeda
Species: S. maritima
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Jesuit's Bark
Common Names: Jesuit's Bark, Marsh Elder, High-Tide Bush, Bigleaf Marsh Elder
Botanical Name: Iva frutescens
Woody coastal shrub common along marsh edges and tidal shorelines. It tolerates periodic flooding and provides habitat and food sources for birds and insects.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Iva
Species: I. frutescens
American Beachgrass
Common Names: American Beachgrass, American Marram Grass, American Dune Grass
Botanical Name: Ammophila breviligulata
Perennial grass known for trapping and stabilizing windblown sand. It is an important dune-building species that helps protect coastal landscapes from erosion.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Ammophila
Species: A. breviligulata
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Chinese Silver Grass
Common Names: Chinese Silver Grass, Maiden Grass, Eulalia Grass, Susuki Grass
Botanical Name: Miscanthus sinensis
Tall ornamental grass with arching foliage and feathery seed plumes. Although widely planted in landscapes, it is not native to Florida and may escape cultivation in some regions.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Miscanthus
Species: M. sinensis