See, I've heard that but then I've heard people say it's not native. The USF Plant Atlas says it's not native: http://www.florida.plantatlas.... I can say I've never seen it growing in the wild, just in peoples' yards.

Well, I like USDA better so I will go with it.

@zuzu Zuzu, can you help us out please?

Which do you consider more reliable for determining native status? The USDA plants db or the Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants?
http://plants.usda.gov/core/pr...
http://www.florida.plantatlas....

Duranta erecta is a confusing one. I've heard vendors call it native and other vendors tell me it really isn't. Even Wikipedia says there is confusion with some scientists believing it may have been native to the Florida Keys and then was spread by people. Others think it was introduced.

Sorry, Ann. I never refer to either of these sources, so I couldn't tell you which is more reliable.

It does seem to be a quandary.

zuzu said:Sorry, Ann. I never refer to either of these sources, so I couldn't tell you which is more reliable.

Oops, we cross posted.
Thanks Zuzu!

I grow Duranta erecta in a big pot overwintered in the basement under fluorescents. It's the variety Sapphire Showers and is trained like a small tree. Had it going into it's 3rd or 4th year. Beautiful blue is usually a BF/bee magnet.
Golden Dew Drop (Duranta erecta 'Sapphire Showers')

Saw my first BF today, a Cabbage White, he just flew on by, waving good by as he left the yard...

jmorth said:I grow Duranta erecta in a big pot overwintered in the basement under fluorescents. It's the variety Sapphire Showers and is trained like a small tree. Had it going into it's 3rd or 4th year. Beautiful blue is usually a BF/bee magnet.
Golden Dew Drop (Duranta erecta 'Sapphire Showers')

I'm glad you posted this. I was going to ask you how you overwinter yours.

By the time it's warm enough to return outdoors it looks pretty dilapidated as it only gets enough light to hang on to a few leaves (comparatively speaking) over winter. It has to remain at the edge of the fluorescent lights due to it's size. But soon after a new season's appearance outside, it'll be looking good again.

I was thinking about getting one but we are just beyond their northern range so I know our cold weather will hit it. It will probably come back from the roots but I was thinking maybe I could just grow it in a pot & move it indoors over the winter. Don't know.... have to think about it. I made a rule to never try to zone jump again. They need a fair amount of water which is the other problem for me putting it in ground so there's another thing to consider.

I have mine in a large pot tied to tree shape, overwintered in the garage during freezes, it is now in it's third year.

Help! Anyone know if I should help this butterfly get loose from its 'trap' ? It's been like this for hours, and I just went out to see if it was still alive. It is, but . . . definitely stuck! Any and all advice is appreciated.

@mellielong

See Elaine's post above.
HELP!

Well, I heard somewhere that some people have been able to take a slightly moistened Qtip and unstick legs and such. Worth a try.

As the sun got lower, he was in the sun so I 'misted' him very gently with the hose, then cut the leaf off the tree, and freed him from the cocoon but I think he was too far gone. He's still alive, but just hanging there with wings still folded. Wish I'd got to him sooner!

Life is tough especially for the critters. I figure when something doesn't make it; it wasn't supposed to. there was something wrong in the first place. Still, it's sad.

Generally, when Monarchs are like that, they are infected with the OE spore. It's kind of a classic sign. So it probably wasn't going to make it and we don't really want it to as it would pass on the spore to eggs, other Monarchs, etc.

And because I'm in teacher mode - it's a chrysalis, Elaine. Moths make cocoons, butterflies make a chrysalis. I'm a little OCD about calling it the right thing. And for those who can't remember, the term pupa applies to both!

Thanks, Melanie those terms have always confused me. I was going to call it a pupa, shoulda woulda.