Spruce Creek Park Observation Tower
Sound
On/Off
[ Date ]
05 08 2026
Within the Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve, this site marks the transition from pine flatwoods to coastal marsh. From the observation tower, winding tidal creeks, wetlands, shrub islands, and forest reveal the shaping forces of tides, storms, and ecological change.
[ Geographic Features ]
Estuary, Wetland, Marsh, Pine Flatwoods, Tidal Creek, Forest Edge, Scrub Habitat
[ Patterns of Land Use ]
Public Park, Conservation Land, Boardwalk
[ Data Set ]
4:00 PM EST
29.097001, -80.973699
86°F 30°C 74% RH, Sunny
Wind 10 MPH, WNW
The trail passes from pine flatwoods toward the estuary. Tall slash pines rise above yaupon holly, groundsel tree, and false indigo. At the forest edge, the ground is sandy and dry. The trees gradually thin, and the view opens across the marsh.
An observation tower rises above the tree line. From the top, tidal creeks wind through open marsh and low islands of shrubs. Dead trees stand among fallen trunks and younger vegetation. Pines remain along the higher ground behind them, while water moves through the low areas below. The land remains nearly level to the horizon.
[ Plants ]
Dog Fennel
Common Names: Dog Fennel
Botanical Name: Eupatorium capillifolium
Aromatic native perennial with finely divided foliage, common in disturbed sites, old fields, and coastal habitats.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Eupatorium
Species: E. capillifolium
--
Jesuit's Bark
Common Names: Jesuit's Bark, Marsh Elder, High Tide Bush
Botanical Name: Iva frutescens
Salt-tolerant coastal shrub common along marsh edges and tidal wetlands, providing habitat and shoreline stabilization.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Iva
Species: I. frutescens
--
Saltwort
Common Names: Saltwort, Turtleweed
Botanical Name: Batis maritima
Succulent halophytic shrub adapted to saline marshes and coastal flats, often forming dense colonies.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Brassicales
Family: Bataceae
Genus: Batis
Species: B. maritima
--
Virginia Glasswort
Common Names: Virginia Glasswort, Slender Glasswort
Botanical Name: Salicornia depressa
Succulent annual salt marsh plant that thrives in highly saline soils and intertidal environments.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Amaranthaceae
Genus: Salicornia
Species: S. depressa
--
Sea Oxeye
Common Names: Sea Oxeye, Sea Oxeye Daisy
Botanical Name: Borrichia frutescens
Evergreen coastal shrub with yellow daisy-like flowers, common in salt marshes and estuarine habitats.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Borrichia
Species: B. frutescens
--
Eastern Red Cedar
Common Names: Eastern Red Cedar, Red Juniper
Botanical Name: Juniperus virginiana
Native evergreen conifer found in coastal uplands and disturbed habitats, valued for wildlife cover and erosion control.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Pinales
Family: Cupressaceae
Genus: Juniperus
Species: J. virginiana
--
Groundseltree
Common Names: Groundseltree, Eastern Baccharis, Sea Myrtle
Botanical Name: Baccharis halimifolia
Native coastal shrub commonly found in brackish marshes and wetland margins, important for pollinators.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Baccharis
Species: B. halimifolia
--
Winged Sumac
Common Names: Winged Sumac, Shining Sumac
Botanical Name: Rhus copallinum
Native deciduous shrub or small tree recognized by its winged leaf stems and clusters of red fruit that support wildlife.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Sapindales
Family: Anacardiaceae
Genus: Rhus
Species: R. copallinum