Lorraine Margeson will tell you that she is a “bird person” and not a “plant person”. But while she has been zealously guarding nesting shorebirds at Outback Key, she has also been watching the plants, observing habitat succession in action.

Barrier islands are constantly reshaped by wind and waves, and Outback Key formed gradually over the years as sand accumulated just off the North Beach recreation area in Fort De Soto County Park. At first a barren, sandy dune, it has been steadily acquiring a diverse collection of coastal dune plants.

In her book “How to Read a Florida Gulf Coast Beach” Tonya Clayton describes the process by which coastal plants help embryo dunes accrete sand and become mature dunes: “Specially equipped grasses typically handle the job of growing up big dunes from little ones. The best developers are salt-tolerant, multiyear plants that grow not only sideways into new territory but also upward vigorously enough to keep from being buried by the sands they accumulate. . . . A dense thicket of roots to help bind and anchor the sand – in addition to a tolerance for extreme dryness and occasional root exposure – are essential.”

As long as enough bare, sandy places remain to satisfy the nesting requirements of the beach-nesting shorebird species that Lorraine shepherds – least terns, snowy plovers, and Wilson’s plovers – the more plants the better. Their roots hold the sand in place and protect the island from washing away. The elevation of the key has increased slightly as they continue to catch and hold sand, making overwashes during storms and king tides less likely. Plants provide cover for the birds and other wildlife to hide from predators and to escape from the scorching sun. Their leaves, berries and seeds provide food, too.

There is something to see in every season at Outback. In spring, the saltgrass blooms and the key is a sea of purple. In summer, seaside gentian puts on its own purple show and searocket sports little white flowers. Nearly year round you can see railroad vine blooming. Seaside goldenrod shines in the fall.

Only a few invasive plants have found their way to Outback Key so far. Lorraine watches for them and finds volunteers to yank them out. Australian pine, beach naupaka, and Durban crowsfootgrass have found their way there, but their days are numbered.

Here are a few photos of plants that Dave Perkey and Jan Allyn observed on a recent visit.