Canaveral National Seashore Turner Flats
Sound
On/Off
[ Date ]
06 19 2026
This site sits along the western edge of the Indian River Lagoon estuarine system near Oak Hill. Vegetation indicates a transition zone between mangrove shoreline habitat and upland coastal scrub, with white mangrove dominating the shoreline edge and eastern red cedar occurring in slightly higher, drier ground. Spanish moss and strangler fig suggest established woody vegetation and mature canopy structure. The area functions as a coastal wetland fringe within the broader lagoon watershed.
[ Geographic Features ]
Estuary, Lagoon, Shoreline, Wetland, Watershed, Coastal Plain, Scrub Habitat, Mangrove Fringe
[ Patterns of Land Use ]
Waterfront Access, Conservation Land, Public Park, Boardwalk
[ Data Set ]
10:59 AM EST
28.88253, -80.79989
86°F, Mostly Cloudy
Humidity: 74%
Wind gusts up to 14 mph
The shoreline is difficult to separate into parts. Mangroves, palms, and live oaks overlap one another, each occupying the same narrow band between land and water. From a distance, the vegetation appears continuous, a dense wall of green rising from the edge of the lagoon. Closer inspection reveals distinct layers. Red mangrove roots descend into the water. Cabbage palms lift above the canopy on narrow trunks. Live oaks spread laterally, their branches carrying curtains of Spanish moss.
The water moves constantly but without urgency. Small waves pass beneath the mangrove roots, reflecting light into the shaded understory. Barnacles coat the lower portions of the prop roots, marking the regular reach of the tide. Along the shoreline, shell fragments collect among exposed roots and fallen branches. The boundary between land and water shifts by inches rather than feet.
Several trees show evidence of age and exposure. One dead trunk rises above the surrounding vegetation, stripped of bark and branches. Its silhouette remains visible above the canopy, a reminder of storms, salt, lightning, or simple decline. Nearby, weathered roots twist across the ground in thick, intertwined forms. Some have outlived the trees that produced them.
[ Plants ]
Common Myrtle
Common Names: Common Myrtle, Myrtle, True Myrtle, Sweet Myrtle, Roman Myrtle
Botanical Name: Myrtus communis
An evergreen shrub with fragrant, glossy leaves and white, brush-like flowers. Although native to the Mediterranean, common myrtle is widely cultivated and valued for its aromatic foliage, ornamental beauty, and historical use in herbal medicine and perfumery.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Myrtales
Family: Myrtaceae
Genus: Myrtus
Species: M. communis
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Cogongrass
Common Names: Cogongrass, Blady Grass, Alang-alang, Silver Spikegrass
Botanical Name: Imperata cylindrica
A fast-spreading perennial grass considered one of Florida's most aggressive invasive plant species. Cogongrass forms dense colonies that displace native vegetation, increase wildfire intensity, and reduce wildlife habitat.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Imperata
Species: I. cylindrica
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White Mangrove
Common Names: White Mangrove, White Buttonwood
Botanical Name: Laguncularia racemosa
A salt-tolerant coastal tree commonly found along lagoon margins, estuaries, and mangrove shorelines. White mangroves help stabilize shorelines, filter runoff, and provide habitat for birds, fish, and invertebrates.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Myrtales
Family: Combretaceae
Genus: Laguncularia
Species: L. racemosa
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Florida Strangler Fig
Common Names: Florida Strangler Fig, Strangler Fig, Golden Fig
Botanical Name: Ficus aurea
A native subtropical tree that begins life as an epiphyte before sending roots to the ground and enveloping its host tree. Its abundant figs are an important food source for birds, mammals, and other wildlife in coastal hammocks.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Rosales
Family: Moraceae
Genus: Ficus
Species: F. aurea
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Spanish Moss
Common Names: Spanish Moss, Old Man's Beard, Gray Moss, Florida Moss
Botanical Name: Tillandsia usneoides
An epiphytic bromeliad that drapes from the branches of trees in humid forests and coastal habitats. Rather than drawing nutrients from its host, it absorbs moisture and minerals directly from the air and provides nesting material and shelter for wildlife.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Poales
Family: Bromeliaceae
Genus: Tillandsia
Species: T. usneoides
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Eastern Red Cedar
Common Names: Eastern Red Cedar, Red Juniper, Pencil Cedar, Aromatic Cedar
Botanical Name: Juniperus virginiana
A hardy evergreen conifer common in coastal scrub, maritime forests, and upland habitats throughout the eastern United States. Its berry-like cones provide food for birds, while its dense evergreen canopy offers year-round shelter for wildlife.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Pinales
Family: Cupressaceae
Genus: Juniperus
Species: J. virginiana