Norma Samuel
0000-0003-3894-7243

County agent

Extension agent IV and associate director, UF/IFAS Global Food Systems Institute, Gainesville, FL

Publications

Synthetic Turfgrass and the Nine Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™

Jason Kruse, J. Bryan Unruh, Jennifer W. Marvin, Tom Wichman, Lynn Barber, Norma Samuel, John Bossart, John Bossart, Claire Lewis, Esen A. Momol, andEsen Momol

Synthetic turf is a manufactured product that utilizes synthetic fibers that mimic the aesthetic look of natural grass. While designed to imitate the look of natural turf, synthetic turf does not provide the ecosystem benefits of a natural turf system. This publication examines the properties of synthetic turf in relation to each of FFL’s nine principles. A new publication of the UF/IFAS Environmental Horticulture Department; 4 pages.

Weeds as Indicators of Soil Conditions in Lawns and Landscapes

Norma Samuel andChris Marble

The purpose of this publication is to provide examples of weeds commonly found under certain environmental conditions. While weeds can be an indicator of a certain condition, some weed species can thrive in many different environments and are indicated in the following tables with an asterisk. For example, spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculata) can be indicative of a dry site, but it will grow and spread very well in sites that are over-irrigated also. The presence of one or two weed species is not necessarily diagnostic to a specific cultural problem, but heavy infestations or the presence of multiple species that prefer a particular condition could indicate that cultural practices should be altered.

Hibiscus sabdariffa Botany

Norma Samuel, Xingbo Wu, Thomas W. Zimmerman, andMatthew T. Smith

The purpose of this publication is to provide an overview of the botanical characteristics of the Hibiscus sabdariffa plant, including detailed descriptions of the leaves, stems, reproductive structures, and roots. Sorrel is in the family Malvaceae and grown as an annual. The common names of Hibiscus sabdariffa vary by country, but some popular names are sorrel, roselle, and Florida cranberry.