The range extends from Texas to North Carolina mostly in the coastal plan and adjacent areas of sandy hills.  In Florida, the range is continuous down , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Considertions, This plant can be too prolific as the many seedlings that come up both around the plant and under bird perching sites can become problematic. Also spr , Wildlife, Seed is spread by birds. , Habitat, Dry-moist sites. Upland hardwood forests, upland mixed forest, secondary woods, riverine swamps, disturbed areas. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage Attracts bees.

The range of this species barely makes it into north Florida but extends north to southern Canada. Shade tree. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Fallen/falling acorns can be a maintenance issue. , Wildlife, Acorns appreciated by squirrels, deer, turkey and other wildlife Used by birds for resting and nesting Larval host for gray hairstreak butterfly , Habitat, Mesic calcareous hammocks. , Did You Know?, Larval host for the white-M hairstreak (Parrhasius m-album).

Blooms open late in the day and remain open through the night. Fragrant. Can be agrown as an anuual north of its native range.  Considered to be invas , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Extremely vigorous, may overtop other plants. Can be planted further north but should be treated as an annual. , Habitat, Disturbed wetland and lake edges, mangrove fringes. , Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Showy flowers Pollinated by moths.

Can be pruned. Works well as a specimen plant. Its thick, large leaves make it stand out from most other plants in the landscape. Very useful in sett , Tolerance, Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges. High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salty wind and salt , Considertions, Fast growing, tends to sprawl. Very cold sensitive if planted inland from the coast even in the counties noted as its range. Unless cold is extreme, i , Wildlife, Birds and other wildlife consume fruit. , Habitat, Coastal uplands , Did You Know?, Fall color, Showy fruits, Interesting foliage, Hurricane wind resistance Nectar plant for Florida duskywing (Ephyriades brunneus), julia (Dryas iulia

Fragrant. Understory tree in moist areas. , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Fruit eaten by birds and other animals. , Habitat, Bluffs, ravines, in understory of well-drained hardwood forests. , Did You Know?, Aroma, fragrance, Showy flowers Attracts bees and other pollinators. Attracts butterflies.

In a 2020 study of salt in irrigation water (https://journals.ashs.org/hortsci/view/journals/hortsci/55/7/article-p1119.xml), this species was found t , Tolerance, Tolerant of inundation with brackish water Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Considertions, Can become weedy. , Wildlife, Attracts  hummingbirds. , Habitat, Dry sites. Open, ruderal. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Attracts butterflies.

Widespread but sparse distribution in Florida largely based on where limestone is exposed at the surface.  If you have limestone it is appropriate to , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Wildlife, Said to be resistant to deer. , Habitat, Moist hammocks and can grow attached to rock outcroppings if moisture is consistently present in the area. , Did You Know?, Interesting foliage

Wildflower garden. , Tolerance, Tolerant of occasional/brief inundation such as can occur in storm surges. Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray. , Habitat, Wet and coastal sites. Coastal scrub. Bogs, hydric and wet mesic flatwoods, ditches, coastal marshes. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers Nectar plant for monarch (Danaus plexippus) and other butterflies.  Attracts pollinators including native bees.  The goldenrod soldier

Rarely grown, likely since it is a poisonous annual with prickles.  Invasive in parts of Asia, Africa, and Australia. This is a personal favorite of o , Tolerance, Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water. Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray , Considertions, Prickles can be an issue in some gardens. All parts of this plant are extremely toxic. , Habitat, Rurderal areas. , Did You Know?, Showy flowers, Interesting foliage Attracts pollinators including bees, flies, and beetles.