Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park, Botanical state park in Monroe County, Florida Keys, United States
The 300-acre island features a dense tropical hardwood hammock with native plants, including the dense Lignum vitae trees weighing 79 pounds per cubic foot.
William Matheson, a Miami chemist, acquired the island in 1919 and constructed a caretaker's residence equipped with a windmill and rainwater collection system.
The Calusa people built structures from coral and rock without mortar, leaving behind burial grounds now protected within the mangrove landscape.
Access to the park requires boat transportation, with guided tours available at 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM from Thursday through Monday at the Matheson House visitor center.
The island developed from an ancient coral reef where organic materials created soil pockets, enabling diverse plant species to establish a complex ecosystem.
Location: Florida
Inception: 1999
Website: https://floridastateparks.org/LignumvitaeKey
GPS coordinates: 24.90199,-80.69932
Latest update: March 15, 2025 15:11
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