You may be wondering what the lignumvitae is, and why there's a state botanical site named after it. Lignumvitae Key is named after the lignum vitae tree. This botanical site cosists of one of the finest examples of virgin hardwood hammock in the Florida Keys area, here on Lignumvitae Key, which also happens to be the highest island, at 17 feet above sea level. The island was owned for many decades by a wealthy family whose 1919 home is still on the premises. You can take a ranger-led tour of the curious house, which has rather unique storm solutions built into its design, and you get a tour of the hardwood hammock as well. It's only a dollar!

Lignumvitae Key is only accessible by boat, and there are a few slips available. You can't go into the hammock without a ranger to guide you. Bring mosquito repellent because you're going to want to anything and everything you can to repel these little pests. The tours occur twice a day, once in the morning and then again after lunch.