Indian River Lagoon Park
Sound
On/Off
[ Date ]
06 04 2026
A public park where dense subtropical forest, wetlands, and open estuarine water converge, supporting abundant wildlife and creating a continuous transition between upland and aquatic habitats.
[ Geographic Features ]
Estuary, Lagoon, Shoreline, Wetland, Watershed, Coastal Plain, Mangrove Fringe, Scrub Habitat
[ Patterns of Land Use ]
Public Park, Boardwalk, Waterfront Access, Conservation Land
[ Data Set ]
7:20 PM EST
29°00'12.3"N 80°53'13.0"W
78°F / Cloudy 59% Humidity
Wind 10 mph Gust up to 15 mph Direction 78° ENE
The trail moves between dense coastal hammock and open water, revealing a landscape shaped by constant exchange between land and lagoon. Live oaks draped with Spanish moss create a shaded canopy above saw palmetto, cabbage palm, and dense understory vegetation. Openings in the forest give way to broad views across calm estuarine water, where wading birds gather along wet margins and perch on dead snags rising from the marsh.
Evidence of wildlife is frequent—raccoons, small mammals, ibis, egrets, and other waterbirds occupy different layers of the habitat. The site feels transitional, shifting repeatedly between forest, wetland, and shoreline. Water remains visible or implied throughout, connecting the wooded interior to the larger estuarine system of the Indian River Lagoon.
[ Plants ]
Southern Live Oak
Common Names: Southern Live Oak, Live Oak, Bay Live Oak, Escarpment Live Oak
Botanical Name: Quercus virginiana
Long-lived evergreen oak that forms broad canopies and provides critical habitat, shade, and nesting sites throughout coastal forests and hammocks of the southeastern United States.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Fagales
Family: Fagaceae
Genus: Quercus
Species: Q. virginiana
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Climbing Hempvine
Common Names: Climbing Hempvine, Climbing Hempweed, Climbing Boneset, Louse-plaster
Botanical Name: Mikania scandens
Native twining vine commonly found along wetland margins, marshes, and disturbed edges where it climbs through shrubs and small trees.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Mikania
Species: M. scandens
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Spanish Bayonet
Common Names: Spanish Bayonet, Spanish Dagger, Dagger Plant
Botanical Name: Yucca aloifolia
Coastal evergreen shrub with stiff, pointed leaves adapted to drought, salt spray, and sandy soils. Common in maritime forests and coastal scrub habitats.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Genus: Yucca
Species: Y. aloifolia
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Resurrection Fern
Common Names: Resurrection Fern, Little Gray Polypody, Scaly Polypody, Miracle Fern
Botanical Name: Pleopeltis polypodioides
Epiphytic fern that grows on tree trunks and branches. It can survive extended drought by curling and appearing dormant, then rapidly rehydrating after rainfall.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Polypodiales
Family: Polypodiaceae
Genus: Pleopeltis
Species: P. polypodioides
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Black Mangrove
Common Names: Black Mangrove
Botanical Name: Avicennia germinans
Salt-tolerant coastal shrub or tree recognized by its dense fields of vertical pneumatophores that allow gas exchange in waterlogged soils. A foundational species of estuarine wetlands.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales
Family: Acanthaceae
Genus: Avicennia
Species: A. germinans
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Sea Oxeye
Common Names: Sea Oxeye, Bushy Seaside Oxeye, Sea-marigold, Bushy Seaside Tansy
Botanical Name: Borrichia frutescens
Salt-tolerant perennial shrub of marsh edges and coastal wetlands, producing yellow daisy-like flowers that support pollinators.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Borrichia
Species: B. frutescens
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Shoreline Purslane
Common Names: Shoreline Purslane, Sea Purslane, Shoreline Sea-purslane
Botanical Name: Sesuvium portulacastrum
Low-growing succulent groundcover adapted to saline soils and tidal influence, often forming mats along marsh edges and shorelines.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Sesuvium
Species: S. portulacastrum
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Muscadine Grape
Common Names: Muscadine Grape, Muscadine, Scuppernong, Bullace Grape
Botanical Name: Vitis rotundifolia
Native woody vine that climbs trees and shrubs throughout southeastern forests, producing large edible grapes important to wildlife and regional agriculture.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Vitales
Family: Vitaceae
Genus: Vitis
Species: V. rotundifolia