Plant Materials Center

Since 1947, the Brooksville Plant Materials Center has provided new conservation plant releases and technology for Florida, the Caribbean area and coasts of Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. The Center has released over 20 improved conservation plants including varieties of beach sunflower, lupine, bitter panicum and eastern gamagrass. The Center has developed new technologies to improve coastal areas and wildlife habitat, and to control erosion and prevent water pollution.

Description of the PMC Service Area

The Brooksville PMC serves Florida, the Caribbean Area, and coastal areas of Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. Rainfall varies from 30 inches per year in parts of the service area to more than 200 inches. Soil textures are predominately sandy and well drained, but large areas of clay and poorly drained soils are common. Elevations vary from sea level to a few hundred feet in Florida to more than 4,000 feet in Puerto Rico. Plant communities are varied and complex. The climate ranges from warm and humid in northern Florida to tropical in the Caribbean. Major land uses include row crop production, rangelands, orchards, forest land, recreation and urban land.

Major problem areas include water pollution, cropland erosion, coastal areas (including sand dunes and marshes), and manmade disturbed sites.

Contact Information

Brooksville Plant Materials Center
14119 Broad St.
Brooksville, FL 34601
Phone: (352) 796-9600
Fax: (352) 799-7305

Janet Grabowski    Manager
Sharon Digges    Secretary
Mary Anne Gonter    Biological Technician
Edmond Black    Biological Technician

New Plant Release: "Ghost Rider" chalky bluestem

In October, the Brooksville Plant Materials Center released a chalky bluestem (Andropogon capillipes Nash) selected germplasm which has been named “Ghost Rider.” 

Chalky bluestem is a native warm season perennial bunch grass.  This grass received its common name from the white coating found on their leaves and stems.  This coating easily rubs off and appears like chalk on your hand.                                            More Information

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Plant Materials Resource List 2005  NEW

Plant Releases
Plant Technology
Coastal Area Improvement
Wildlife Habitat
Erosion Control
Water Pollution

Brooksville PMC IMPACT Newsletters

September 2005

For additional information, please visit the National Plant Materials homepage.

Florida Program Contacts

MJ Williams, Plant Materials Specialist, 352-338-9544

Greg Hendricks, State Resource Conservationist, 352-338-9543

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