Dwarves and Horses

Here in southern Virginia Beach and northeastern North Carolina, many species of plants and animals reach their northern limit. One of them is a small palm tree - the Sabal minor - also called the dwarf or swamp palmetto. There are other names, Carolina palmetto and swamp cabbage come to mind. The dwarf palmetto prefers wet soil and tolerates moderate levels of salt, both of which are the exact conditions that are found in the border region of Virginia Beach and Currituck. 

The dwarf palmetto can be found hugging the coast from Florida to North Carolina. According to Google, the northernmost known location of this plant is Monkey Island in Currituck Sound. Well, Google did not ask me or any of the locals in the area. The two palms in this image are several miles north of Monkey Island on a marsh island just south of the Virginia border. I have it in my mind that I have seen at least one in Back Bay, but I can’t remember on which island I saw it. I suppose I will have to make another trip soon. 

Oh, and there are wild horses among the palmettos.

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