botanist.

Muscadine

My first day on the job.

I expected nothing too interesting, maybe a few dandelions (Taraxacum) or some weeds that would later be plucked from someones yard. My camera was around my neck, the strap quickly becoming a nuisance in the Florida heat.

My muddied sneakers carried me to the forefront of a forest, vines tangled the entrance as if telling me not to enter, I wasn't welcome.

Chinese Windmall palm (Trachycarpus fortunei ) was poking my exposed arm, the green spikes were home to many spiders. They had glowing red dots scattered around their cephalothorax.

Unsatisfied with my outcome I turned around to head back to my home. A yellow fall leaf caught my eye, instantly I started humming the theme to "This is Halloween" while scuffling to the leaf.

It was behind another small tree, covered by the stout branches of brown and black.

I turned on my camera, the heat peppered us stronger. The lens was warming up while I stood on the tips of my feet to take a photo of the odd leaf.

Instantly, it clicked. Muscadine.

Muscadine ( Vitis Rotundifolia ) was what appeared in front of me. The Grapevine cast a majestic smile upon me, suddenly the heat didn't seem so bad as long as the plant had what it needed from the sun.

After snapping a few photos, I uploaded them to my Instagram. Only a few likes followed soon after the post but I was excited to share the discovery.

Muscadine is used in Jellies and Jams. The plant is native to South Eastern and South Central United States, and I had the luck of finding it.

By the time I finished gushing over the plant, it was almost sunset. My daydream about owning a Jam shop ended abruptly when the Mosquitoes bigger than quarters attacked me just as the Chinese Windmill palm did earlier.

Attached above is the photo I snapped :)

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