Brooksville Plant Materials Center (FLPMC)
Serving areas in the States of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina and the Territories of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands
Established: 1947
Size: 182 acres
PMC Operation: NRCS
Land Ownership: NRCS
The Brooksville Plant Materials Center (FLPMC) serves Florida, the Caribbean Area, and the coastal areas of Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. The Center began in the 1940’s as a seed and plant production nursery located north of Brooksville, Florida. In 1957, the center moved to Arcadia, Florida only to return to Brooksville in 1966 as a Plant Materials Center.
Climatic conditions within the service area vary from temperate to tropical. Soil textures are predominantly sandy and well drained, but areas of clay and poorly drained soils are common. Plant communities are varied and complex. Major land uses include row crop and vegetable production, rangelands, citrus groves and orchards, forestland, recreation, and urban land. Major environmental concerns include clean water, cropland and coastal erosion, and man-made disturbances. The Center develops new technologies to restore plant populations, improve wildlife habitat, and prevent water pollution.
The Brooksville Plant Materials Center has developed more than 20 improved conservation plants, including six legumes and forbs and 15 native grasses.
Highlights
WILDLIFE HABITAT
Enhance wildlife usage of grazing land and natural areas
- Fort Cooper Germplasm splitbeard bluestem and Ghost Rider Germplasm purple bluestem developed by the Brooksville Plant Materials Center are the only tested Florida native grass lines available for wildlife habitat enhancement.
- Seed production and establishment techniques to enhance wildlife habitat are transferred to state, federal, and county public land managers through training sessions conducted by the Center.
DISTURBED AREAS
Restore drastically disturbed areas to productive capacity
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Coastal restoration is supported through the development of five native plants, including Sea Islands Germplasm sweetgrass, which is a culturally significant grass used by the Gullah people of South Carolina for their African-coiled basketry.
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Restoration of phosphate minelands in Florida is facilitated by research the Center conducts on the establishment of native plants on these disturbed sites.
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Native Plants for Coastal Dune Restoration: What, When, and How for Florida provides information on restoration techniques and recommendations of appropriate plant species.
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Citrus Germplasm maidencane and Gator Germplasm blue maidencane are used in the restoration and creation of wetlands.
URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Promote environmentally sound urban and rural community development
- Brooksville 67 and Brooksville 68 are diminutive rhizoma perennial peanuts that are xeriscaping alternatives to high water use turfgrasses in low-traffic areas.
- 'Morning Mist' hairawn muhlygrass and various other wildflowers and native grasses developed by the Center provide plants for use in the low input urban beautification efforts in Florida.
- Evaluate and promote the utilization of cover crops such as sunn hemp and cowpeas for cropping systems and organic vegetable production in Florida and Puerto Rico.
Brooksville Plant Materials Center
14119 Broad St
Brooksville, FL 34601
Telephone: 352-796-9600
Fax: 855-465-7547
